loving magic after her parents had died, but now maybe she could enjoy it again. And all this time, the ledger had been right under her nose. Her father, ever the illusionist, even in his death. A smile formed on her lips at the memory of her dad. It’d been so long since she’d allowed herself to smile when thinking about her parents.
Their group continued down Úri Street, then stopped outside one of the most acclaimed attractions, Labirintus, the famous labyrinths of Budapest.
“Who knows the story of the labyrinths? This is one of the entrances.” A few in the group raised their hands. “Unfortunately, the tour is closed tonight, but—”
“I thought the government shut down the mazes in twenty eleven,” one of the tourists interrupted. “A terrorist attack or something.”
“We don’t know the exact reason. It is all very hush-hush, but parts of the labyrinth are open again for tours,” the woman explained before pointing to a sign about Dracula outside the entrance door. “In the fifteenth century, the underground system was a prison. Legend has it that Vlad the Impaler, made popular as Count Dracula, was once imprisoned and tortured here for ten years.”
“I don’t think so,” someone with an Italian accent said. “That’s a gimmick for tourists. The real Vlad was held at Visegrad Royal Palace, which is over forty kilometers away.”
Ana glanced around, ignoring the rest of the woman’s speech. The sun had set, and they were relying mostly on street lanterns for lighting, as well as the few handheld lanterns some of the tourists carried.
Two tourists in love. Newlyweds. That was what she and A.J. hoped to sell to everyone around them, at least. Not a hard sell. Her feelings for A.J. were intense. No acting on her part. Posing as a couple on a tour was the easiest way to get a lay of the land and be in position when the time came for the meeting.
The fact her ex-husband was prepping with an FBI assault team had her on edge, especially if someone on the six-man team was dirty. She felt as though they were playing Russian roulette. Anymore betrayal would be a knife to the chest. A sword to the stomach. A bullet to the back.
A.J. discreetly nudged Ana in the side with his elbow, and she moved closer to the golden-hued stucco of the nearby building. “Sweetheart, how about a kiss outside the labyrinth?” And A.J. was laying his accent on thick.
“Oh, what a nice idea!” the tour director exclaimed. “How about everyone share a kiss on the couples tour?”
A.J. leaned in, his hand going to the wall over her shoulder, and he set his lips to hers. Searing hot. Possessive. Bold in front of the tourists and would probably have everyone’s pulse skipping at the sight.
His mouth traced a line to her ear, and he announced, “Turn on your comm. It’s time.” He edged back to peer into her eyes, and she reached for her other ear to power on the wireless comm she’d been provided by Harper.
“I think we might cut out early,” A.J. said, which was code to his team listening in over comms now that they were about to move out. “Thank you for the tour.”
The tour director fanned her face with the pamphlet she was holding, her eyes devouring every last bit of A.J. she could manage. “Have a good night, you two lovebirds.” She tossed an enthusiastic hand in the air before A.J. and Ana left in the other direction.
“This is Echo Two,” A.J. said once they were alone, moving at a hurried pace to get to Lovas Street. “What’s your status?”
“Outside the entrance on overwatch. Both entrances on Lovas Street have been breached, and the team is preparing to move into position,” Wyatt, Echo One, answered.
Once his teammates moved underground, it’d be hit or miss if they’d be able to remain in contact with them over comms. Harper insisted they had the best of the best in communication devices, but Ana would believe it when she saw it. Well, heard it.
“Roger.” A.J. snatched Ana’s hand as they moved up a set of steps.
I can do this. I can do this. The words bounced around in her mind like the red FBI letters on her computer screensaver back at the office. Just pinging from side to side as a reminder she’d make it through the night without anyone dying. Without more betrayal.
“You good?” he threw the words out, his breathing totally freaking fine, which was kind