Page 13 of The Auction Block

Did he feel that too?

Rhett lets out a low whistle and I ignore it. Not entertaining any of this crap today. I refuse.

I've managed six hours of sleep in the last seventy-two. Between ending the Beijing case, coming to DC and then here, I'm in deprivation mode. Tonight, I intend to crash, as soon as Blake Mason is out of my hair.

"You look tired," he finally says, breaking the odd silence between us.

"I'm fine."

"Do you like the water, Agent?"

My brows come together in confusion.

“Yes, she likes water. She owns a house on the Bayou,” Rhett says quietly.

I roll my eyes. See, sometimes he opens his mouth, and I regret trying to cultivate any type of friendship with my teammates.

“Yes, I like the water. Why?”

"I'm trying to figure out which rooms to give you and your team. The one closest to mine, which I assume should be yours, has a large balcony overlooking the Inner Harbor."

"Sounds unnecessary."

"You have an issue with rich people, don't you?" he says.

"No. I have an issue with unnecessary extravagance."

"Well . . . you got picked for the wrong assignment then." He smiles as if he's privilege to some secret.

Ain't that the fucking truth?

The balcony off my room is beautiful, but this apartment could house at least fifteen people. One person lives here with one staff member.

My house is a small, one-bedroom hole, that almost looks abandoned. I could afford a better place, but there was enough luxury in my youth. I feel better with mundane surroundings, when outside the trafficking rings. And Rhett is right, I love living on the Bayou.

"Lily," Jax says from behind me.

"Yes, sir?" The crisp breeze blows against my face as my fingers curl around the railing.

"We've got the security system set up. Why don't you come check it out?"

"Yes, sir. Be there in a second."

I open my eyes and scan the skyline. Baltimore is coming alive on the streets below.

The security room is the smallest, and Blake is standing behind Sammi, who sits at a large desk stacked with monitors. I don't approve of him knowing the locations of the cameras, but he insisted.

"Do you all even know the meaning of privacy?" He crosses his arms over his chest.

"Sir, this is for your own safety," Sammi says sternly.

"As far as I'm concerned, the cameras in my bedroom and bathroom better be removed within the next twenty minutes or I'll rip the damn things down myself."

"Mr. Mason, we need to keep an eye on the balcony. Your room is easily compromised."

"Then put a cameraonthe balcony. Remove the other two."

Sammi glances at Jax and he nods. "Okay, sir. That's do-able."