Page 84 of Fake Out Make Out

We made a new set of rules, promises to keep our relationship out of the office. But we’re alone in this completely closed-off space. I figure we can steal one or two moments. I plant another kiss on her shoulder. I stiffen against her, memories of last night filling my brain.

“Not here,” Charlie whispers before biting into her delicious lips. The blush on her cheeks tells me she’s thinking what I am, but she has better restraint.

She’s right. I plant a chaste kiss on her shoulder and walk to the other end of the table. Charlie busies herself with the documents before she looks over at me, the pink of her cheeks still not fully receded. I wink and watch her neck and face go into a full flush.

Charlie clears her throat. “How about you take that side and I focus over here?” She turns away from the table and starts to go through documents. I know she’s keeping us on task. Her work ethic is unparalleled, and it’s one of many things I appreciate about this strong woman.

Without any windows, it’s hard to keep track of time while we sort through Ian’s materials.

“Who else is going to Rome next week?” I ask to break the silence. I swear if I have to look at one more technology contract, I’ll need to borrow Charlie’s glasses to see straight.

Charlie begins to rattle off the names. “You, me, Oliver, Celine, Ana . . .”

Obviously, our pro-athlete liaison is going, trying to covert some of the shorter distance athletes to move to our events. Because while the World Games are elite and the average person wouldn’t dream of trying out, many runners, triathletes, and cyclists live for the endurance events.

“We’ll need to keep an eye out for some potential recruits for our team too,” I add.

Charlie looks up from her stack of documents. “Anyone you have in mind? Are we sitting in the stands for all the sharp shooting and archery events?”

She’s trying to be sarcastic. While those athletes would have skills we need in our line of work – the spy side of things – we want those who have more access to the upper echelons, the parts of society where the Order operates.

“I’m thinking dressage, gymnastics, and fencing,” I reply.

Charlie nods, accepting this explanation. I’m sure she’ll have a new itinerary for us by the end of the day. She moves to another stack on the far side of Ian’s workbench. Some loose papers and a few spare parts. “Declan, come look at this,” she says, her eyes examining the paper.

I walk over and peer at what’s in her hands. Schematics. It appears to be some kind of device Ian was tinkering with. A new mechanism he was creating. Beneath it is a Metro map of Rome and an overlay of the city with World Games events and their locations.

“Are we sure we got all the explosives Castillo purchased in Argentina?” Charlie asks as she flips one of the maps over to reveal a yellow sticky note with two words written on it: “opening ceremony.”

“Yes,” I respond. Castillo’s yacht is still impounded by the Italian Coast Guard as well, in case any munitions were hidden within any secret compartments. I check the schematic. “This doesn’t look like a weapon, though. It’s some kind of recording device.” I’m confused even as the words leave my mouth.

My mind turns over this new information. X.C. told Charlie that only some of the munitions would be used to eliminate Raj and cause a nightmare for FIRE, so we assumed that the anticipated fallout would be a cover for whatever arms deal Castillo intended to make at the World Games. But what if both of those were supposed to be the distraction? Something to keep us busy, from seeing what they really have planned. Charlie said X.C. had something different planned for the World Games. Could this device be the big plan?

It never ends. That’s the frustrating part. Evil never sleeps. The layers of subterfuge peel back to reveal more.

Then again, I’m an athlete. I live for a finish line that feels impossible. Espionage is an endurance sport. Marathons and ultras, triathlon, road biking, the miles are endless when you’re out there. Sure, there are aid stations every so often, but it doesn’t change the fact that the longer you’re in it, the further away the finish line appears. That’s why crossing it feels so good.

The world is always teetering on the edge of disaster. The bad guys are well funded. But something has changed. And it’s Charlie. Because now I have a reason to want to keep the world safe. For her. For us. Not just my hero complex.

Our work isn’t done yet. There’s still a threat to neutralize. I get that itch to get out there and stop it.

I glance up at Charlie and see a shine in her eyes. She has it too.

“Looks like we have our next mission,” I say.

Charlie reaches for my hand. “We sure do,” she says with a wink.