Take - Page 66

“We’ll be in my office if you need me.” I took Frankie’s hand and led her to my office.

She turned in a circle. “This suits you.”

The walls were dark gray, except for one that held a huge screen. It currently displayed a world map, with several glowing dots in various locations. They showed where I had men or teams deployed on jobs.

My desk was a large slab of wood topped with a curved computer screen. Circling the desk, I touched my intercom.

“Daniel, can you find a desk and a secure laptop for Frankie? Set them up in the corner of my office.” I didn’t want her out of my sight.

“On it, boss.”

In the middle of my desk, I saw I had several messages and a note that I had a conference call scheduled in an hour. I flicked through the pages.

A moment later, Daniel appeared with one of my other men. They carried in a small desk and set it against the wall. Then Daniel set up a laptop and opened it. He smiled at Frankie, then left.

She sat in the chair and opened the laptop. “My data is all here!”

“My team is the best.”

“Go.” She shooed me. “I know you have lots to deal with. Get to work. You won’t even know that I’m here.”

I knew that would be impossible.

28

FRANKIE

Iheld Reath’s hand as we entered Smokehouse through a set of cool, distressed wooden doors.

I’d heard all about Dante’s club, Ember—the number-one hottest nightclub in New Orleans. But it was closed on Monday nights. Tonight, he’d told me we were meeting the others at Smokehouse.

The bar had a more easy-going, family-friendly vibe. The wood floor reminded me of Reath’s place—scarred and nicked from its past life, but now glossed over with polish. The walls were a warm cream and brick. There was a green wall at the back, bursting with plants, and lots of metal shelves filled with New Orleans keepsakes—colorful beads and masks, bottles of whiskey, photos of the city’s most famous landmarks. A square, wooden bar sat in the center of the space, and booths and tables filled the rest of it.

There were a few people at some of the tables. A server—wearing a denim shirt and a beige skirt—walked past us, carrying a juicy steak resting on a wooden board on one hand, and a tray full of drinks on the other.

“We didn’t need to come out,” I said.

He glanced down at me. “You’ve been cooped up all day. I thought you deserved a break. You’re safe here.”

I’d spent the day at PSS. It had been interesting. I especially liked seeing Reath in his element. He clearly knew what he was doing, and was a good boss. All of his team respected him.

I did admit it had become a little boring toward the end of the day, once I’d run out of work to do. I really needed to be in my lab. It would be nice to have a drink and relax.

To forget that a terrible, evil man was hunting me so he could sell my work to the highest bidder.

“I’m not really dressed for this place.” A woman walked past us wearing a tight black skirt and a silky red tank top. She eyed Reath and shot him a flirty smile.

My gaze narrowed, and I shot her a glare.

I hadn’t packed anything fancy during our quick trip to my house. I truly hadn’t thought I’d need anything to wear out at night. I was wearing my best pair of jeans and an emerald-green shirt I loved.

“You look great.” He met my gaze.

His look made my belly turn to goo. That look told me he was thinking of me naked. I bit my lip.

Hmm, maybe I’d prefer to be back in his place, doing—

“There you are.”