Chapter 3
THREE
Cara
I straighten the strap of my brown leather briefcase against my shoulder and look into the mirrored elevator doors at the agency.
I’m ready.
After a terrible night facing Grant the day after I had learned he stole the Holden contract right out from under me, I need this to go well to get my boost of confidence back.
When I returned home from the gala, I focused on reviewing the updated plans I’ll be sharing with Dodger and my new partner today.
I can’t believe that Grant is pretending like they didn’t tell him I was their other choice. It is business, but this one was personal.
Grant can pretend like he doesn’t remember all he wants, but the Holden Company is the one I’ve wanted since I went private.
I’ll never forget how one of their leaders said security couldn’t be run by a woman. They rejected me for a different company led by a man, and I vowed that I would one day get another one of their contracts and exceed their expectations just to prove a point.
Grant knows about my past with the Holden Company. I told him when we were both hiding out in Barcelona after a shoot-out we found ourselves in. I was off my game, and he noticed. There were no jabs or sparring between us; instead, he listened to me for hours.
When I told him what happened, he gave me some advice I still hold onto.
It was one of the rare moments when we weren’t competing in the field or forced together because of my parents. It was raw and real… and unforgettable.
That’s why I hate that he took this opportunity from me.
I stretch my neck from side to side and tighten my stomach, waiting for the elevator doors to open. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and try to focus on the mission ahead and not Grant Sinclair.
“Collins,” a familiar voice rasps.
Oh no.
I peel one eye open, followed by the next, and take another steadying breath.
“Sinclair.”
I can feel heat exuding off him as he stands entirely too close behind me. If I were to lean back, I could do some damage by elbowing him in the stomach.
I grin at the idea.
Pity I have some semblance of control, being at the agency and all.
“Take a step back, pretty boy.”
A deep rumble faintly sounds.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been called that.”
“You’re right. It was far too much of a compliment for my liking.”
Another hint of laughter that I’m embarrassed to admit I enjoyed getting out of him.
“What will you call me instead?”
“Old man.”
“Ouch,” he says with a faint laugh.
“Call it like I see ’em.”
The elevator doors open, and I walk in without looking back. As I turn around, I see he’s coming in with me.
Just great.
“You know, I’m not that much older than you.”
“Yes, you are.”
He smiles as he takes his place next to me so we’re both watching the elevator doors close. I press the button to the floor I need and resume my original position.
“Maybe,” he offers.
I peer up at him and take in the graying hair and wrinkles gathering around his eyes.
“How old are you anyway?”
One side of his mouth tilts upward.
“Trying to get to know me after all these years?”
“You can keep your secrets.”
“Forty-nine.”
My eyes widen in surprise. Not at his age but at the notion that Grant so freely shared something truthful with me. That’s not common in our business of lies and deception.
The elevator door dings and begins to open.
“You’re right.”
“What’s that?” he asks as I straighten my suit jacket.
“It’s not that much older than me.”
I step off and don’t give him a chance to say anything else.
As I walk toward Dodger’s assistant, I hear footsteps behind me. I glance back to see Grant following slowly in the same direction.
Wait.
Wait just a second.
There is no one else on this floor other than Dodger.
“Is this the right floor for you?” I ask.
“It is.”
“But my meeting with him is in ten minutes.”
Grant finally steps right before me.
“Well, Cara. Looks like we’re in the same meeting.”
I hang my head back and hold the bridge of my nose.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
“Indeed.”
He walks past me as if this isn’t our worst nightmare about to become a reality.
“Sinclair. Collins. Mr. Ross will be available shortly,” the assistant calls out before we even have a chance to reach her.
“Thank you,” we say in unison.
Grant gestures to the chairs in the waiting area.
I take a seat, and he takes the one opposite me on the other side of the room.
Placing my briefcase in my lap, I cross my legs together at the ankles.
This cannot be happening.
There’s no way Dodger knows about Grant’s and my complicated history. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked us to work together in this capacity.
There’s no way that Grant and I can work together on this contract.
I let out a deep, steadying breath.
Okay, Cara, think this through.
The problem is that if I tell him I don’t want to work with Grant, there is a high probability that he will take me off this case instead of Grant. I can’t let that happen.
I’ve been chasing after the Kingpin of Charlotte for a year now. Grant knows this too. He’s been on my heels when I’ve received new information regarding the Kingpin’s activities.
Despite Dodger knowing that I have all this intel, Grant is the best of the best. I would never admit that to him, but it’s true, which is probably why Dodger put us together.
“I’m not going to turn this down, Collins.”
My eyes snap up to Grant’s, and I see the conviction behind them.
“I’m not either.”
“Good.”
We’re in a battle of wills as we continue our stare-off.
“Mr. Ross will see you now,” his assistant says, interrupting us.
I look up to see she’s standing and waiting for us to notice that she’s there. She gives me a curt nod before heading into Dodger’s office.
Grant and I stand at the same time, and he gestures for me to go on ahead. It’s infuriating how a simple gesture from him can get under my skin like this.
As I walk into Dodger’s office, I know I have to be confident and ready, regardless of whether the mission now involves my archnemesis.
I can do this.
I’m a professional.
I won’t let Grant Sinclair ruin me.
“Sinclair. Collins. Take a seat,” Dodger says.
He’s tapping away at his computer with a stern expression. It’s the same one I would see on him every day after we both joined the agency. An unsettling feeling washes over.
He won’t look up at us as we take the two empty seats in his sterile office. As I scan his desk, there’s no sign of life. No pictures of friends or family, no decorative objects, and I mean, come on, there isn’t even a plant.
My gaze catches on Grant’s, who has also been assessing the office. He gives me a slight tilt of the head before focusing back on Dodger.
Dodger’s shoulders are tense as he pauses his fingers on the keys. Only a few moments pass before he resumes his work again.
I straighten my posture with my bag in my lap, gripping the strap as a distraction. I don’t normally feel like this when it comes to meetings, but this is unlike any meeting I’ve been part of in a while.
First, Grant surprises me by being here, and now this tactic by Dodger is baffling. Something isn’t normal, and I’m anxious to find out what that may be.
Dodger finally stops his typing and settles back into his worn brown chair. He grips the ends of the armrests as he stares at Grant and me.
“Thank you both for being here today.”
“Of course,” I answer first.
Grant gives a slight nod.
“Well, I’ll get right to it. The agency needs you two so we can get the Marlin.”
“What information do you have for us? You know my work has focused on the Kingpin of Charlotte and surrounding areas.”
“That’s why you two are together.”
I briefly study Grant’s face, and I realize he knows more about the Marlin than I do. His expression is tense as he waits for Dodger to continue.
“Can you bring me up to speed?” I ask.
“The Marlin is the code name for the head of the underground ring we’ve been trying to infiltrate for years. As you may or may not know, there have never been any defining details about the person to come to light. You both have ties to the Marlin, which is why I’ve brought you both on.”
“Right, but we knew that. Do you think that the Marlin is with the Kingpin of Charlotte?”
“Yes,” Grant answers before Dodger can.
My head shakes at how this meeting has evolved in mere minutes.
“Collins, your information and search to date on the Kingpin of Charlotte have been our primary connection to the Marlin until now.”
Dodger straightens his tie as I look at him, utterly confused.
“What is it?” I ask.
Grant remains silent next to me, almost as if none of this is new information for him.
“We have reason to believe that the Marlin is in hiding in Charlotte at this very moment. Due to this, Collins, I’m asking you to go and infiltrate their organization and capture the Marlin.”
“Sir. With all due respect,” I start.
“Don’t, Collins. Do you want this one or not?” Dodger asks.
“I do.”
“Then it’s settled. You’re going. And Sinclair is going with you.”
“I don’t understand his connection to this,” I admit.
Grant finally adjusts in his seat.
“I’ve known about the Marlin for a while.”
“What?” I shout.
“The Marlin will know of me as Ace.”
“Ace,” I repeat.
The same code name he gave me that first night we discovered each other in the field.
“Collins. Sinclair. Your new identities and details will be waiting outside with my assistant.”
“Sir,” I continue.
Dodger sighs.
“Collins. Are you in or not? I can’t keep asking.”
“You haven’t even asked our friend Ace here if he’s in.”
Dodger gives me an annoyed look before glancing over to Grant.
“I’m in. When do we leave?”
“Wheels up in three days at 0600 hours from San Diego.”
Dodger looks back over at me.
“I’m in.”
“Good. Mr. and Mrs. Weston, good luck.”
I nearly faint on the spot.
“Did you say…”
“Come on, Collins,” Grant says as he stands.
I look up at his outstretched hand, feeling like I’m in some kind of other universe. I can’t marry Grant, even if it is all pretend.