Chapter 10 - Brenna #2
She leaned forward. “They’re four to five days from having enough for a major purchase.”
“There’s another development,” I said. “Morrison called this morning. He’s invited all four of us to dinner tonight at Maison Blanc. All three principals will be there.”
“That’s fast,” Admiral said. “They’re definitely feeling pressure.”
“For tonight, it’s important to remember that these people have been operating successfully for two years. They’ll be watching for any inconsistency,” I said.
“Agreed,” said Atticus when Kodiak and Emma also murmured their consent.
I scanned the faces on screen. “Does anyone have questions or concerns before tonight?”
When no one spoke up, I nodded. “Then, we’re set. Thank you all for your support.”
“Anyone need anything?” Atticus asked after I ended the briefing and closed the connection.
“I’ll make some tea. Anyone else want that or coffee?”
“Let me take care of it,” Atticus offered, leaning down to kiss my temple as he passed by. Something that, based on their expressions, neither Emma nor Kodiak missed.
“Staying in character,” I muttered.
Emma chuckled. “Nice catch, not that I believe that for a second.”
“Moving on, let’s focus on tonight.”
While Kodiak pulled files up on his tablet, Atticus brought a cup of tea for me and coffee for everyone else, then took a seat.
“Based on last night, Morrison will probe our financial vulnerabilities first. He likes to establish desperation levels,” Kodiak began.
“Liu tests the technical knowledge,” Emma added. “He caught someone last night claiming expertise they didn’t have. He didn’t even attempt to hide his reaction.”
“And Castellano is all about the money,” Kodiak continued. “Investment strategies, liquid assets, risk tolerance.”
“So we need to be consistent but show some pressure points,” Atticus said.
“Exactly. Emma and I established ourselves as having DoD contracts but facing procurement delays,” Kodiak said. “You two should have similar frustrations.”
We spent the next hour running scenarios, testing each other on our covers, and synchronizing our stories. By the time we finished, our backstories were bulletproof but believably flawed.
“We should take separate cars to the restaurant,” Atticus suggested. “Less obvious than arriving together.”
“Agreed,” Emma said, standing. “We’ll see you there.”
Kodiak packed his gear. “Remember, they won’t make explicit offers tonight. This is still an evaluation.”
Before leaving, Emma caught my eye. “Quick word?”
Kodiak’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “I’ll be in the car.”
“Walk you out,” I heard Atticus say before both men left the room.
“So, are you two officially a couple now?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who knows you. You’re practically glowing.” She grew more serious. “Be careful tonight. Morrison’s smart. He’ll be watching for any cracks in your cover.”
“We will be.”
Emma stood to leave, then paused. “For what it’s worth, Kodiak’s actually been very professional. Annoying, but professional. The suite arrangement is…interesting.”
After she left and Atticus came back inside, he snaked his arm around my waist. “So, we have a few hours before we need to get ready.” He kissed my neck. “Any thoughts on how to spend them?”
“You are insatiable.”
God, there were times when I swore I was dreaming. I’d spent most of my adult life fantasizing about Mason Finch, and now, here we were, with him unable to keep his hands off me.
I put my hand on my stomach when it growled.
“You need to eat,” he said, reaching for the bakery box Emma and Kodiak had brought with them.
I hated to turn up my nose, but the thought of all that sugar made me nauseated.
Atticus stood from the stool and held his hand out. “Come on. I’ll take you to breakfast.”
“Wait. No. We don’t have to do that. I can just make something here.”
He cocked his head and smiled. “Because going out for breakfast is no longer your favorite thing in the world?”
I smirked and reached around to squeeze his bottom. “Something else has moved into first place.”
“Who’s insatiable now?” he teased, pulling me to my feet.
God, I loved this man. Wait. No. Where had that thought come from?
I mean, I did love him. He’d been my brother’s closest friend since they were eighteen.
He was practically already part of our family.
My parents adored him. But love him? It was way too early for me to be having those kinds of thoughts.
Atticus leaned forward and pressed his forehead against mine.
“What are you doing?” I asked after several seconds passed without him saying or doing anything else.
“Hoping that whatever is rolling around in your head, which you’re not ready to talk to me about, seeps into my brain.”
I started to lean away, but he put his hand on the back of my head to keep me still.
“Brenna?”
“Yes?”
“The thing I want you to know, probably more than anything else, is how much you—and this—means to me.”
“I do—”
“There was a movie that came out before either you or I was born, and while I don’t remember the line verbatim, the guy said something about how, when you decide you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want it to start as soon as possible.”
“Mason…”
“Shh. Are they coming through?”
“What?”
“My thoughts. They’re trying their damnedest to get into that beautiful brain of yours.”
“I can’t hear them.”
He moved his head so his mouth was near my ear. “I’ll help, then. They’re saying, ‘I love you, Brenna Austen,’” he whispered.
I tried to lean away so I could see his face, but he hugged me tighter.
“So much,” he added.