about me needing to work. That deal is supposed to go down tomorrow when the markets open and Viktor’s in town to oversee it.”
“Wait a minute,” Ryker said. “He’s here? In Chicago?”
I nodded. “Parker’s supposed to be going to his hotel tonight, but he didn’t tell me which one.”
“Damn,” Ryker muttered.
“Why?”
“If we knew where he was staying, maybe we could get someone in to plant some bugs,” he said.
“Why would you do that?”
“To find out more about his organization. Overhear his plans, see who all’s involved…”
And an idea struck me.
“What if I plant the bugs?” I asked.
Ryker frowned in confusion. “You’re going with Parker tonight? That’s a terrible idea. Viktor tried to kill you—”
“He already knows he didn’t succeed,” I interrupted, explaining how I’d answered Parker’s phone. “So if I can get Parker to take me along tonight, I can plant the bugs for you.” And maybe the cops would finally know that Parker was just doing his job, nothing illegal.
“I dunno…” Ryker looked skeptical.
“It’s not hard, is it?” I asked.
“No, but—”
“Then I can do it. Please, Ryker.”
He glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck as he considered it, and I held my breath. Viktor had tried to kill me, had killed two other women already, and was most likely threatening Parker. I wanted to help bring him down.
At last, Ryker gave a sigh of defeat. “Fine,” he said. “If you can get Parker to take you along, and that’s a big if, then I’ll get a warrant and give you the bugs to plant. Just stick them somewhere people don’t normally look. Underneath a desk or even a chair.”
“What if I get caught?” I asked, trying to consider all contingencies, even the bad ones.
“If it doesn’t look like you’re going to get an opportunity to plant them, then don’t,” Ryker said. “Viktor’s a nasty son of a bitch, but if you do get the chance, then do it. Just don’t let Parker know what you’re doing. It’s not your responsibility to make sure Parker stays on the right side of the law.”
It scared me, doing something like planting a listening device. That was something they did in the movies, and here it was now invading my real life. Yet, Tania was in trouble; her sister and her friend were dead. It seemed like I should try to do something about that, and if the cops needed someone to plant a bug, then maybe I should do it. Perhaps it would help atone for Hanna’s death in God’s ledger of my life—a checkmark in one column versus the X in the other.
“Okay,” I agreed. I glanced at the clock. “You’ve got to go, though, or Parker will be pissed.” I dug Ryker’s keys out of my pocket and walked him to wait for an elevator.
“I’ll talk to you soon,” he said as the elevator dinged, and then he leaned down and kissed me.
I thought it’d be just a quick brush of his lips, but his tongue slid against mine and his hand gripped my waist. Suddenly, I wasn’t in such a hurry, and I twined my arms around his neck. Ryker could really kiss and it was a few breathless moments later before he lifted his head. It confused me, making me question my earlier doubts about his feelings for me.
“Been wanting to do that for hours,” he murmured. “Our morning after wasn’t quite what I’d envisioned.”
“Maybe next time will be better,” I replied without thinking.
“If that’s a promise, then you just made my fucking day.” Ryker slid his sunglasses on, his lips twisting in a sultry smirk. My cheeks got hot, but I had no comeback before the elevator doors closed.
I hurried back to my desk, pushing thoughts of Ryker and amazing sex aside as I tried to figure out a way for Parker to include me tonight. Maybe I’d just have to wing it. Back in my chair, I was catching up on my work when Parker came out of his office and stood in front of my counter. I glanced up to see him moving the roses aside.
“I know I’m behind, but I should be caught up in a couple of hours,” I said. “When are you leaving to meet Viktor?”
“Shortly,” was his succinct reply. “But I’m not out here to talk about your work, Sage. Tell me what the hell happened. You were wanting to be with me Thursday night, and then you spent the weekend with Ryker?”