Takedown

CHAPTER 30

When Favreau opened his eyes, there was sunlight in the room.

Had he had another blackout?

But no, he knew he hadn’t, because he remembered every moment, every exquisite detail of what had happened during the night. His world had been challenged, conquered, rocked by a woman he was now convinced could get him to do anything she asked.

And do it gladly.

That’s how good it had been.

He remembered the feel of her body against his and felt himself stirring again. And then there she was, standing in the doorway, wearing that slinky dress and holding her shoes in her hand.

“I’m late,” she said. “The guys are gonna be mad.”

“Send them over here and I’ll kick their asses.”

“Somebody needs to.”

“Did I happen to mention how amazing you were last night?”

“You may have said it in your sleep a couple times. But maybe you were dreaming about someone else.”

He laughed. “Not likely. Why don’t you forget about work today? We’ll go outside, get sunburned. Have breakfast on the beach.”

“Listen to you. I thought you liked to stay indoors?”

“What can I say, I’m a transformed man. Tell your roommates to buzz off. You don’t need them anyway.”

“I made a commitment,” she said, “and I’d like to stick to it. But there’s always tonight, remember?”

“Tonight?”

“The party? At Pappy Leo’s house?”

“Gee, I don’t know, baby. Like I said, that could be tricky.”

She frowned. “Why? Are you afraid of these people?”

He thought about Valac’s thugs and lied. “No, I just don’t want to chance blowing the deal.”

“And I’m some kind of deal breaker?”

He grinned. “You’re a heartbreaker, I know that much.”

“I’m serious, Frederic. Are you ashamed of me?”

He sat up. “Now, come on, I never said that. But these are touchy guys and—”

“Okay, I see what this is. You got what you wanted and now you’re done with me. Thanks for a great time.”

She turned in a huff and disappeared from view. Favreau heard the door slamming as he scrambled out of bed and snatched up his pants. He yanked them on and nearly stumbled as he zipped up and ran into the foyer.

He pulled the door open, saw her moving down the hall toward her suite and said, “Alexandra, wait!”

She stopped. Turned.

“Screw it, all right? You can come. I want you to come.”

“I don’t want to blow your deal.”

“No, no, no, I’m an idiot. Forget those guys. Hell, they may even show me a little more respect if I’ve got you hanging on my arm.”

She softened. “Really?”

“Really.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely, baby. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Alex had neglected to get a new room key, so Deuce had to let her in.

“I feel guilty,” she said.

Cooper stood near the computer cart, watching as Warlock ran a 3D simulation module based on blueprints and satellite images of the Latham estate.

“Guilty?” Deuce said. “About Favreau? The guy’s murderous scum.”

“No, about Lita, the girl Cooper hired. I can barely stand touching the creep and she got the full treatment.” She took a breath. “At least he passed out. That was a blessing for both of us.”

Cooper looked up from the screen. “That wasn’t an accident. I had her slip him just enough of the Stonewell cocktail to persuade him to sleep.”

“Really? But how did she—”

Cooper held up a hand. “You don’t want to know.”

Alex nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. Sorry I asked.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I gave her an extra thousand. She left with a smile on her face.”

For the next few minutes, Cooper brought Alex up to speed, mapping out their strategy and filling in the details he and the others had worked out.

Alex listened carefully, but part of her mind was drifting, thinking first about Favreau and Lita, but soon moving on to Thomas Gérard and Eric Hopcroft and the text message she had received from her father.

If it’s too much to ask, I’ll understand.

Was it too much?

She wouldn’t know until tonight.