SAFFRON
A day later,Gabe’s last question still rattled in my mind. Could I forgive him? I didn’t really know. And the not knowing was distracting me from the mission at hand. I dragged myself out of my reverie to focus.
“Are you sure this is the play you want to make?“
I frowned at Lock. “Yes, it makes sense because you have media interests in New York, and the Caldwell is the place to see and be seen if you’re in the city. It’s also private and discreet.”
He nodded as he stared up at the meticulously maintained prewar exterior. “Okay. It’s your call.“
And it was my call, wasn’t it? No matter what happened on the mission, it was all my responsibility. And I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about that.
The Caldwell was an upscale, boutique hotel on the Upper East Side. They were known for their exemplary bar and their discretion, which made it a haven for actors and musicians, and it had become Hollywood’s quiet spot on the East Coast.
My mission brief had us going in as a couple yet again since there was always a chance Graciella might believe that we were running into each other given Lock’s status and hers.
“Do we have eyes on her?” I asked into my comm unit. Instead of Saint this time, we had Rook. Just as well. He was excellent with tech.
His voice was low but clear. “We have her on the terrace. Be aware of your exits. There are two on the way up there. We don’t want her vanishing on us. You are clear to make your approach."
This should be simple. Easy. Deliberately walk in front of the bar. Act as in love as ever with my husband and make sure she saw us. Immediately, Lachlan wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Fingers getting dangerously close to my breast.
“Would you behave?”
“I’m just getting us in the right frame of mind. Playing the part.”
Sure enough our bait worked. "Saffron? Lock? Is that you?"
We both slowed and glanced around, and sure enough, there was Graciella, looking beautiful, stunning, and completely unbothered. I forced my eyes wide. "Oh my God, Graciella, how are you?"
"Me? Sweetheart, where have you been?" She stood and sauntered over, arms outstretched. “I thought something had happened to you. What are you doing in New York?"
When she hugged me, I placed the tiny tracker on the back lip of her belt. She wouldn’t notice it until she undressed. She seemed genuine, and I was fond of her. But she kept strange bedfellows, so it was better to keep an eye on her.
That was the thing about being a field agent; you learned to never trust anything at face value.
Lock said, “Gracie, it's good to see you. Apologies that we had to leave the Winston Isles in a bit of a hurry."
"What happened? I mean, I saw Saffron for lunch, then she went to the bathroom and just vanished."
Lock continued squeezing me tight into his side. “I am sorry for all the dramatics. I had a business thing come up unexpectedly. It couldn't really be helped, so we had to go in quite the hurry."
“You couldn't even say goodbye? I was concerned, and Massimo was quite cross. He thinks you two deliberately didn't say goodbye."
"Like I said, it couldn't be helped." Lock gave a shrug as an apology.
On the surface she seemed to buy it. “In that case, let me buy you a drink.”
Very intentionally, Lock shook his head. "No, we're just trying to have a quiet night."
"Ah, you two lovebirds. Please, it will be an insult. Massimo will want to know what you two are doing in New York." When she said Massimo’s name, she gave me a pointed look.
Lock said, “I’ve been working for two weeks solid. If I didn’t take her out there would be hell to pay. After this, we’ll continue our honeymoon.”
Graciella made googly eyes at us. “I swear, you two are the cutest. You have to hurry and procreate. I love children."
I smiled and coughed. “I think we can wait on that."
"Oh, don't wait too long. You won't be able to chase them around.”