Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
LANCE
I arrive at Vesper’s door. Unlike Eden’s office, this door is always closed. I twist the handle, expecting it to be locked, but to my surprise, it’s not. The door pushes open, and Vesper jumps in her seat out of surprise.
“You wanted to see me?” I widen my eyes, matching her buggy stare.
“Yes, come in,” she huffs out. “And always feel free to knock.” Vesper quickly taps the power button on her monitor, trying to hide whatever she was looking at.
“You summoned me,” I remind her. “Why are you so jumpy?” I plop down into the chair on the other side of her desk. Every time I sit here, I feel like I’m in the principal’s office. I give her a sly smile. “Are you watching porn? Safe space. I won’t tell. Urges are still very normal at your age.”
She tries her best not to laugh, but a smile cracks through her lips. “The way I want to put your head between two bricks sometimes, Lancelot.”
I raise my brows. “That was not a denial.”
Vesper exhales in exasperation.
“I’m kidding, V. I know you weren’t watching—”
“I was on Facebook,” she admits, cutting me off.
“Oh? Why?” I can’t help but think that Vesper on social media is unnatural in every single way.
“My ex-husband’s youngest son is trying to graduate from the Field Scouts. He needs to sell about one hundred boxes of cookies to get his badge.”
About a million questions barrel through my mind. What the hell is Field Scouts? I thought it was Boy Scouts. Why is Vesper social stalking her ex? What kind of cookies? But I opt to address the biggest elephant in the room. “You were married?”
“Yes. Then, divorced. Is that so shocking?”
“I mean…yeah.”
Vesper’s eyes narrow. “Once upon a time, I thought I could juggle my job and a romantic life. But I was wrong.”
“How’d things end between you two?”
Vesper’s eyes drop to her lap. “Not well. He hates me. Or at least the memory of me. It’s been over fifteen years since we spoke. He probably thinks I’m dead.” There’s a sadness in her voice that breaks my heart.
“Did you buy a box of cookies?”
Eyes still down, she smiles. “I bought one hundred boxes. Their troop has a cookie tracker. The little guy was far behind, but now he’s kicking his troopmates’ asses.”
“Nice,” I say. “When do the cookies arrive?”
“Don’t be foolish; I didn’t have them sent here. I used an old business account linked to the FBI and had the cookies shipped to a couple of group homes for orphans in the Midwest.”
“Okay, that’s a little disappointing.”
“Charity?” Once again, Vesper’s face screws up in confusion.
“Um, no, that there will be no cookies in the break room.”
“You’re such a child, Lancelot,” Vesper muffles out.
My expression goes neutral, and I wait until Vesper meets my gaze. “If you’re keeping tabs on him and his family, that means…”
“Yeah…I still do.” She won’t say the words out loud, but I know she means she loves him.
“And his new wife?”
Vesper smiles. “She’s beautiful, kind, and has given him two children. Three, if you count his stepson. He always wanted a big family. I’m very glad he ended up with her.”
That must mean Vesper can’t have children. We always assumed, but we never really spoke about it. But it’s obvious the way Vesper is a mom to me, Linc, and Cricket, that she’s fulfilling some sort of innate desire.
“Can I ask you something? But don’t get pissed.”
She wets her lips. “No promises.”
“You’ve been divorced. Callen’s been divorced. You’re both the same age. Callen’s a good-looking guy, and don’t ever tell him I said this, but he’s all right. I wouldn’t be mad if you guys started something. I mean, if you’re lonely, Vesper, there’s no shame in chasing some happiness.”
She’s quiet, so I know I crossed the line. Dammit. I really meant it in the best way. “Just forget I said—”
“He asked once,” Vesper admits. “When he first started with PALADIN we were spending quite a bit of time together. He asked me out.”
“And you said?”
She sighs, shaking her head. “We wanted different things. I think Callen’s still looking for love. My heart, however, hasn’t been available for fifteen years. I’d only end up disappointing him. We’re great as friends.”
“So that’s how you’re going to leave it?” I lean back in my chair. “You’ll just never love again?”
“It’s not really my choice, is it? Once love has a hold of you, you don’t get to decide when it lets go.” Vesper unsubtly raises her dark brows. “No matter how messy and toxic it gets.”
I run my hand down my face, feeling my stubble. “Speaking of toxic love… Have you heard from Cricket?”
“Yes. But actually, her assignment is loosely what I want to talk to you about. I want to put a security detail on Vienne.”
I crack my knuckles, disinterestedly. “Okay. What does that entail?”
“Someone trusted who can act as her personal security whenever she’s outside of the White House. My gut is telling me something is off. I don’t trust Gabriel, but I don’t trust Vienne either. The way she spoke about Aeon…she knows more than she’s saying.”
A big part of me thinks that Vesper’s paranoia has finally taken over. She’s seen too much, done too much. The First Lady of the United States came to us asking for help in thwarting a plan to take down the government. She wants to live and her country to stand. What other ulterior motive would she have? “Vesper, the First Lady doesn’t want to be babysat.”
“I proposed it as an increased form of protection while we are in the midst of provoking Gabriel.”
“She’ll never agree to that.”
“She’s already agreed to it, under one condition.”
“Being?”
“That I send you.”
“Oh, hell no. Send Linc.” I scowl.
“She specifically asked for you, Lance. My hands are tied. Perhaps, for once, use your charm for good. Spend some time with her. I’d like to know everything you can find out about Vienne.”
I give her a pointed stare. “It kind of sounds like you’re pimping me out.”
Vesper smirks. “If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck.”
“She’s married.”
“That’s never bothered you before,” Vesper shoots back. “Or should I list off the names of diplomat, mafia, and ambassador wives that have claimed to be seduced by you.”
My eyes shift. “All rumors.” I clear my throat. “And anyway, that was before—”
“Cricket?”
I nod. “I’m giving her some space, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. Eden told me to wait it out.”
Vesper exhales, folding her arms across her chest. “Well, my mind is made up. I’m going to need you to work while you wait. Vienne has your number. She’ll be contacting you when she needs you. Keep your phone on.”
“V, I really don’t want to—”
She holds up her hand, then points to the door. “That’s all, Lancelot. Thank you.” She turns her computer monitor back on.
“What are you doing?”
Her smile is mischievous. “I’m about to buy some more cookies and break a Field Scouts record.”