Private Monaco

Chapter 56

We were back at the apartment less than fifteen minutes later.

Mo-bot went straight to her workstation and ferreted in her gear bag for the phones and USB drives she’d taken from the safe.

“I’ll get to work on these,” she said, settling into her seat.

“Coffee?” Sci asked, heading for the kitchen.

“You ever known me to say no?” she countered with a smile.

“I don’t suppose there’s any point me suggesting you get some rest?” I asked.

“Ha!” she scoffed. “Jack Morgan playing dad. You know me better than most. You think I’m going to let these little treasures keep hold of their secrets while I sleep?”

Mo-bot was one of the few people I knew who was capable of making me look like a slacker. She was tireless and relentless in her pursuit of the truth.

“Don’t let me stop you though,” she said. “This will take more than a minute, so you should get some rest while you can. Boost your reserves for whatever lies ahead.”

Justine nodded. “The workaholic is right—”

“Hey!” Mo-bot interrupted, feigning hurt.

“We should try to get some rest,” Justine went on. “It’s been a tough few days.”

Sci looked over from the coffee machine, a home version of something a barista might use, where he was making a couple of brews.

“I’m going to run the bank notes and see if we can identify where they were issued. They look fresh,” he said, referring to the crisp euros Mo-bot had found in Duval’s safe.

“Let me know if you find anything,” I said, taking Justine’s hand. “Come on.”

I led her through the apartment to our bedroom and she pulled me into a tight embrace the moment the door was shut.

“Just hold me, Jack,” she said. “Tell me everything is going to be okay.”

“You know it will be,” I replied.

I took in the scents of vanilla and jasmine that infused her hair, my favorite smells in the world.

“I need to hear it,” she countered softly.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I whispered in her ear, before kissing her.

She smiled and sat on the bed to take off her shoes. She looked beat, but then I probably did too.

“I’m going to grab a shower,” I told her, and she nodded absently.

When I stepped out of the steamy en suite bathroom ten minutes later, Justine was curled up under the covers, deep asleep.

I slid into bed beside her and held her. I watched the glittering city and the port lights of the yachts in the distant marina until my eyelids felt too heavy to stay open, and when I finally fell asleep, I dreamed of happier times together.