“I make a call.” Nate reaches into his pocket, pulls out his cellphone, and walks away without any further explanation.
I glance at Parker. “Is he always like that?”
“Since he was eight.” He grins. “Believe it or not, Phoebe’s had a calming effect on him. If anything, this is him being chill.”
“That’s somewhat terrifying.” I glance at Luca, Owen, and Theo. “Any idea who he’s calling?”
The three of them shake their heads in unison.
I sigh and turn back to the computer. My angst is short-lived — a few minutes after Nate makes his mysterious call, the front door to the offices swings wide and a man in an ill-fitting suit steps inside, his black hair disheveled and in desperate need of a cut, falling over piercing blue eyes that sweep the room, taking everything in. He’s got a coffee stain on his tie, bags under his eyes from lack of sleep, and a pissed off attitude to rival Nate’s. There’s something in the way he carries himself that screams law enforcement.
“This is Conor Gallagher,” Nate announces, gesturing to the man. “He’s with the Boston Bureau.”
Fuck. Nate called the Feds.
The same Feds who would like nothing more than to arrest “Clover,” the hacker who’s infiltrated their networks on more than one occasion during the past two years and who they – rightly – suspect is responsible for taking down at least four corrupt companies in the Boston area by emptying out the CEOs’ private accounts in the Cayman Islands.
Whoops.
Why do I have a feeling this isn’t going to end well for me?
17
The Lighthouse
“Nate,” I hiss under my breath. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
He ignores me.
I fight the urge to hide beneath the desk as the FBI agent walks a little further inside, stopping a handful of feet from me with his hands shoved deep in his pockets.
“This better be fucking good, Knox.” He glances from me to the screen to Nate, taking in every detail. “It’s Christmas Eve.”
“Gallagher, we all know you have nothing better to do,” Nate fires back at him. “I’m the only person you know in this city who doesn’t work for the Bureau. Who else would you be spending the night with?”
The man smirks. “I’d rather be home alone than here with you, doing you yet another favor.”
“Pretty sure we’re square up on favors, after I helped you nab the MacDonough gang.” Nate’s eyes narrow. “That scored you a pretty sweet promotion, if I recall correctly.”
The agent runs a hand through his too-long hair. “Just tell me why I’m here.”
Nate gestures at me. “This is Zoe Bloom. She has some information we thought you might be interested in.”
The agent’s sharp blue eyes move to me. I try not to shiver under the frost in their depths.
“Zoe Bloom,” Conor says, stepping toward me, his eyes narrowing. “Why do I know that name?”
I shift from foot to foot, feeling nervous, and Parker edges slightly in front of me. Luca moves to my other side in a show of force. Their message is clear.
Do not fuck with our girl.
At least they aren’t at each other’s throats, anymore.
Ignoring the pointed question, I look at Nate. “You sure we can trust this guy?”
Nate nods.
Conor’s eyebrows lift. “Pretty paranoid, considering we’ve barely been introduced.”
I glance back at him. “Yeah, well, FBI agents aren’t generally at the top of my list of favorite people.”
Conor’s stony gaze never shifts. “Funny. Criminals aren’t usually at the top of mine.”
“Watch it,” Parker growls.
Conor’s eyes move to him. “Parker West. Surprised to see you here.” His eyes move to Luca. “And Blaze Buchanan.” He glances back at Nate. “Crack team you’ve gathered here, Knox. A CEO, an underground fighting champ, and a brash pixie with authority issues.”
I cross my arms over my chest and step toward him, getting up in his face.
Well, if I were taller I’d be in his face. As it is, I’m more in the general vicinity of his chin.
“Listen, we don’t need your assistance, so if you’re going to be an asshole, why don’t you just leave? It’s clear you don’t want to be here and, anyway, I highly doubt you can help.”
Conor’s lips twitch, just the tiniest bit — a chink in that icy, impenetrable armor he’s shrouded himself with. “If I promise not to be an asshole, will you show me whatever’s got you so riled up?”
I glance at Nate again — he gives me a slow nod and, I can’t help but notice, he’s grinning at me like I’m the funniest thing he’s seen in a while.
Idiot.
“Fine,” I grumble. “Though I still don’t understand why we have to involve the damn Feds.”
Conor follows me to the computer. “Are you always this unpleasant?”
“Said the corporate government drone,” I retort.
“Zoe,” Luca warns in a disapproving tone. “Don’t push it.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, pulling up the vital documents so I can lead Agent Gallagher through our investigation from the beginning. When I meet his eyes, I’m pleased to see he’s taking this seriously — there’s not an ounce of humor in the depths of his gaze.
I clear my throat. “What do you know about Robert Lancaster?”
* * *