Hotel. Sanaa was the target. Threat’s been neutralized, but Sanaa inhaled a lot of debris. You’re here to make sure she’s okay.”
Talerco’s expression turned serious. “Copy that. Glad you’re all in one piece. We’ll get both of you checked out.”
“I’m fine,” I clipped. “But Sanaa has a concert in less than forty-eight hours. I don’t want her performing if it’s going to strain her lungs.”
“Understood.” Talerco smiled at Sanaa. “We’ll get you sorted, darlin’.”
The elevator opened on the top floor of the L&A building, and Luna led us to one of the two apartments. Opening the door using the keypad on the outside, he then stepped back. “I need to check in with the investigators at the W. Ronan, I’ll let Tyler know to head to your place and keep it secured tonight. Do you want an escort getting there?”
“No, we should be fine.”
Luna nodded and glanced at Trefor. “I’ll show you to your apartment down the hall.”
“Thank you.” Trefor glanced at Sanaa. “Zane will be here shortly with your bag. You’re in good hands, but if you need anything else tonight, please feel free to reach out to myself, Vance or Zane.”
“She’ll be fine.” No fucking way was she calling them again, my brother included.
Sanaa smiled at Trefor like the fuck hadn’t dropped the ball on this operation. “Thank you for your help.”
“Absolutely. Zane will get you safely back to London tomorrow. If you ever need AES again, please don’t hesitate to call.” Trefor glanced at me. “Good to see you again, Ronan. I apologize we didn’t catch Abernathy sooner.”
I wanted to tell him off, but the truth was we all missed it. The stairwell should’ve been covered on all twenty floors, I should’ve thought to include women on our watch list, and we’d underestimated Abernathy. Vance and Sanaa had waited too long to tell me, and I’d waited too long to tell Luna. We all played a part.
I nodded at Trefor. “It won’t happen again.”
His cold blue eyes said it all, but he spoke anyway. “No, it won’t.”
The blond-haired, blue-eyed Talon was an incorrigible flirt. And apparently he’d been a combat medic in the military.
Pressing his stethoscope to my chest, he gave an order like Ronan gave orders. “Inhale.” His gaze fixed past me, he smelled like coconuts and the beach.
I inhaled, then let it out slow. “Where do you practice medicine now?”
His laugh was quick and bright and lit up his face. “Darlin’, I practice all day, every day, but it ain’t medicine.” He winked.
Standing next to me as I sat on the couch, Ronan’s nostrils flared, and his hand moved to the gun in his holster, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. Talon immediately picked up on it, his gaze briefly cutting to Ronan’s hand.
Moving his stethoscope to my back, Talon unnecessarily held my shoulder. “Breathe again for me, darlin’, nice and deep. I like seein’ Pyro apoplectic.”
I did as he said, and Ronan looked like he was going shoot Talon.
Talon listened for a moment, then sat back on the coffee table and dumped his stethoscope in his bag. “I declare you perfectly healthy.”
“That’s it? How can you tell?” Ronan demanded. “You listened three times for a few seconds each.”
Grinning at me, Talon stood. “I like what you’ve done with him, darlin’. Definite improvement over his previous impervious disposition.” He chuckled and slapped Ronan on the shoulder, then his expression sobered. “No coughin’, no swellin’ in her throat or nasal passages. I see the face mask you had on her still around her neck. She’s not havin’ any difficulty breathin’, and I don’t see any signs of duress. She’s good.”
“Her lungs?” Ronan pushed.
Talon smiled with kindness. “Better than yours and mine on our best days.” Talon glanced at me. “You’ll be fine at your concert, darlin’.”
“Thank you very much for taking the time to come here.” I stood.
“You’re quite welcome. Gotta admit, wasn’t expectin’ to meet the Sanaa tonight, but nonetheless a pleasure.” He gave me a smile I was sure women fell all over themselves for before grabbing his bag. “Take care of Pyro, here.” He tipped his chin toward Ronan. “He saved our hides plenty of times downrange.”
I looked at Ronan. “I’m sure he was very good at what he did.”
“Not good, darlin’,” Talon corrected, his demeanor suddenly serious. “The best.”
“Talerco,” Ronan warned.
Talon smiled mischievously at me. “Bit of a braggart, too. Maybe you can work with him on that.” He winked.