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Yes, he had lunch with her yesterday. Yes, she agreed to have lunch again in the future, but she had also slipped away seconds after the bill was paid. He knew from his own research that she was flying out this morning, just like his team had, but she had checked out before he could suggest them riding to the airport together. Monica was doing a great job of putting distance between them and he didn’t like it one bit.
“I’ve explained we would be keeping an eye on things in case Alexander continued to give her trouble.”
“It’s not like you to continue an assignment after it’s finished. We got the information we came to collect,” Caden reminded him.
"We also have nothing on the books for the foreseeable future due to the move," he argued.
They purposely avoided taking any large assignments in anticipation of the move to Washington. Other than the one that led them to Monica, he and his friends had agreed that they wanted to focus on the move and setting up their new place. If something important came up, they wouldn't turn it down, but they weren't actively seeking anything either.
Caden didn't back down. "And we all know that could change in a heartbeat. All I'm saying is it's not like you to want to drag out a government contract or look for trouble. Alexander Fletcher has trouble written all over him."
"That's exactly why we should keep an eye on him. He's going to make trouble for Monica and I want to be there when it happens."
He didn't add that he intended to be glued to Monica like a second skin. The distance she was creating implied she had other plans. Ones he fully intended to learn just as soon as they landed back in the States and he had the chance to speak to her.
The rest of the flight was spent with them all doing their own thing. With no active assignments, they didn't have anything pressing they needed to discuss. And truthfully, they had been working nonstop for years, taking assignment after assignment and constantly traveling. It would be nice just to focus on bringing their company back to the original plan for a couple of days. The one that had been formed in a bar one drunken night. No business plan. No overthinking it. Just a bunch of ideas scribbled down on a bar napkin and a company name picked out of a hat.
Those were simpler times when everyone agreed they were sick of working for someone else. Tired of the corporate nonsense that kept them from doing the job they were capable of. Every single one of his friends had worked for the government in some capacity, and while taking government contracts seemed a bit redundant, considering those were the same officials they wanted away from, at least what they did now allowed more freedom.
“Damn.” Luke looked around their new office. “How the hell did you get so much done? We were only gone three days.”
When they left for the Alexander Fletcher assignment, the space was nothing more than blank walls. Now the place was painted and full of furniture.
“What do you think we did the whole time? Sit on our asses?” Dom shook his head.
“It’s not like any of us have a life these days,” Austin added.
That was for sure. It was pathetic how much of a life he and his friends no longer had.
“Besides, it was nothing more than rolling paint on the walls and setting up furniture as it was delivered.” Jayce shrugged. “We still need to finish wiring the office and that’s been a bitch. Someone decided to steal our resident computer geek.”
Caden threw Jayce the finger but proceeded to move to where boxes were lined up along one wall.
“Did you even attempt to hook anything up?”
“Fuck no,” Jayce grumbled. “We read your instructions and decided they were written for someone far smarter than we are. We didn’t even bother to decipher what you meant.”
Caden didn’t look at all upset, and Luke wondered if his friend purposely left complicated instructions. If anyone on the team was protective of their position, it was Caden. He much preferred to handle all electronics and hated if anyone messed up his perfectly executed setups.
“Probably best. I would’ve just had to fix it anyway.”
This time it was Jayce giving Caden the finger.
“While that’s being taken care of, why don’t you tell us what went down in Rome? How come we are keeping Alexander Fletcher on our radar? The government only asked us to confirm he’s back to his old tricks.”
Luke pulled up a chair across from Dom at their large conference-style table and thought about how he wanted to answer his friend’s question. Technically their assignment was over. The report he sent over to the Feds clearly stated Alexander was looking but Carmichael Financial wouldn’t be a part of it.
“Even though Ms. Cole”—he flinched at using her proper name—“turned him down, I’m not convinced he’s going to back off. Their meeting in Rome wasn’t the first time he asked her to work with him. Telling him no in person isn’t going to change his mind. From everything we learned about Alexander Fletcher, the word no isn’t something he’s used to hearing.”
“I agree, but you put that in your report and the Feds disagreed.”
The Feds could kiss his ass. This was just one more example of the way they failed people.
“I think we all know they aren’t going to stick their necks out unless they have concrete proof. I, for one, am not going to wait around for Alexander to make his move on Monica.”
“So, it’s Monica now.” Dom smirked.
Shit. He hadn’t meant to show his hand so soon.
