Page 72 of Destroyed With You

He shakes his head, obviously confused.

“The Bigelow Hotel hosts a huge annual party. The whole hotel is taken over by people who want to see and be seen. Bartlett has gone for the last two years.”

“And you know this because…”

“I read his file before Hawthorne sent me after him. He does accounting work for celebrities, the filthy rich, that kind of thing. From what I hear, it’s a huge crush. Very wild. Alcohol, drugs, anything goes. No one would pay attention to us at all if we try to slip back to the vaults.”

“Excellent.”

“Except we have two problems. One, the party is tonight, which means we’re in the wrong damn state. And two, it’s ridiculously exclusive. I don’t know how we can possibly get in on such short notice.”

Winston frowns, his brow furrowing as he clearly tries to figure out a solution to that little problem. Then, as if he swallowed a ball of sunshine, his face lights up with his smile. “Sugar,” he says, “I think I know how we can make this happen.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ryan Hunter opened his front door and raised his brows as Winston thrust the white box at him. “I come bearing gifts,” Winston said.

“I take it this is a bribe?”

Winston shrugged. “You could call it that. I need a favor. I just came back from Texas bearing my mother’s cupcakes. Linda helped make some,” he added, watching his boss’s face for a reaction. It didn’t take long. Ryan’s blue eyes widened, and for a moment he was speechless. As far as Winston was concerned, that was a first.

Ryan stepped back holding the door open for Winston to enter. “What’s going on?”

“Can we talk here? Confidentially I mean?” Ryan held up a finger, and gestured for Winston to follow him to the kitchen.

Ryan’s wife, Jamie Archer Hunter was standing by a coffee maker, apparently waiting for it to finish brewing. She looked up, her camera-friendly smile bright. “Winston. I thought you were out of town.”

“I am. Back for awhile, but not yet back at the office. I have a favor to ask your husband.”

“I think that’s my cue to leave.”

“Sorry, kitten,” Ryan said, as he casually brushed her fingertips in a way that sent melancholy rushing through Winston. He’d had that easy familiarity with Linda once. He wanted it again.

“No problem,” Jamie said. “I just need a to-go cup, then I have to get to the set. A night shoot.”

From what Winston knew, Jamie worked as an on-air reporter, but more recently she’d taken on some acting jobs. She was talented enough—and pretty enough—that he assumed she’d end up a huge success.

She put a lid on her coffee, then flashed that smile again at Winston. “I hope whatever you need, Ryan can take care of for you.” She drew her husband close and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “I'll see you when I get back,” she said, then left them alone.

“I'm sorry to bother you at home in the evening, but I need a favor and it's urgent.”

“Mission related?” Ryan asked. “Isn’t the SOC running this show?”

“Yes, but this isn’t something I can bring Seagrave in on.”

Ryan's brows rose, and he gestured for Winston to take a seat at the kitchen table. “Well, you have my attention."

Winston cleared his throat, not wanting to suggest that Seagrave might be dirty. He didn't want to taint Ryan's impression of the man until he was absolutely certain. “Let's just say I'm cutting some corners on this assignment, and I'd rather he not know."

“All right, we’ll say that. Later on you can tell me the real truth. Deal?"

Winston had to fight a smile. “Deal."

Ryan leaned back in his chair, his legs stretched out. “I don't mean it, you know. I trust you. If you need something, I'll help you get it. No strings attached."

“I appreciate that. But I’ll tell you eventually. If everything turns out okay, I'll tell you simply because I'll want to give you the whole story. If everything doesn't turn out okay, you'll hear about it anyway, and not just from me.”

Ryan nodded slowly. “Okay then. What exactly do you need?"