Page 71 of Steel Vengeance

Jeremy managed to regain some composure. “Your orders were to stay in Peshawar and keep an eye on Omari. You shouldn’t be here.”

“You didn’t answer my email,” she said. “Those men looked important—Afghans, I think. Did you see my video? I was expecting some sort of response.”

Jeremy opened his mouth, then closed it again.

It was worth it, just to see him floundering like a fish.

She leaned in closer. “I knew I was onto something when someone took a shot at me.”

He blinked, stunned.

“Can you believe that?” she went on. “At first, I thought it was a mistake. Then I remembered—one of Omari’s guards saw me right after I took the video. My cover’s been compromised. I think you should pull me out.”

Blade slid the phone back into Jeremy’s jacket pocket and moved away. He gave Sloane the slightest nod. It was done.

“I—I’ll speak to Matthew,” Jeremy stammered. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time to pull you out.”

She beamed at him. “Thank you. That’s a relief. I wasn’t sure what to do, and Matthew told me not to contact him.”

“Where are you staying?” Jeremy got to his feet. “Let me give you a lift. I’ve got a car here.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to put you out.” She patted his arm. “I’ll just get a taxi.”

With that, she turned and walked back across the room.

Jeremy grabbed his jacket and started to go after her, but he didn’t get far. Stitch bumped into him spilling his beer all over Jeremy’s expensive shirt. “Shit! I am so sorry.”

Jeremy stopped, momentarily stunned.

Stitch stepped in front of him. “I really am sorry. Let me buy you a drink to make it up to you.”

Jeremy hesitated, swiping at his shirt. “That’s okay. I’ve got to go.”

He tried to push past, but Stitch caught his arm. “Listen, I feel really bad. You sure I can’t buy you a drink? It’s the least I can do.”

Jeremy glanced over Stitch’s shoulder, watching as Sloane disappeared out the door.

CHAPTER 27

“We got it,” Stitch said as soon as he and Blade stepped into the hotel room. Sloane had gone ahead in a waiting taxi. It had been crucial to get her out of there as quickly as possible.

She sat on the bed, face flushed, eyes gleaming. He had the sudden urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her.

“Everything went according to plan,” Blade added with a grin.

“When I didn’t see his phone on the bar, I freaked out,” she admitted, crossing her legs.

That dress.

Jesus, it was messing with his head.

The soft material shifted as she moved, briefly revealing perfect, creamy, kissable skin before she smoothed it down again.

“I saw him tuck it into his jacket pocket,” Blade said, pulling out the device. “It’s all here.” He handed it to Sloane, who held it like it was a sacred treasure.

“Let’s see what we’ve got,” Stitch suggested.

Blade pulled a laptop out of his rucksack, placed it on the dresser, and powered it up. Sloane passed the device back to him, and he slid it into the USB port. They gathered around the computer and Stitch caught a whiff of her perfume—the new one she must’ve been wearing tonight. It was heady, intoxicating… just like her.