pink he was quickly becoming addicted to seeing crept across her skin.
Mona’s eyes went to her drink. She immediately tipped it back for another swallow. “I will take your word for it.”
Pierce cut into the slice of beef wellington on his plate. It was the most impressive, yet relatively normal, thing he could think of to make for her. “What’s your favorite food?”
Mona’s eyes widened as her lips closed around her fork, a bite of the wellington disappearing into her mouth.
Pierce shifted in his seat, straightening out one leg in an attempt to find a little more space in his jeans.
Mona held one hand over her mouth, blessedly blocking his view of her lips. “I think this might be my favorite food.”
“Good. I’m glad I’ve satisfied you.”
The flush of her cheeks deepened.
It was a dangerous game to play. One that tested him as much as her.
Mona swallowed her bite of food, immediately washing it down with the rest of her drink.
Two cocktails in less than fifteen minutes.
Not a good start.
Pierce went to the fridge, retrieving two bottles of water. He cracked the seal on the first and set it in front of Mona before opening his own. He had to find a way to calm her without the aid of alcohol. “I would like to discuss our meeting with Zeke tomorrow.”
The pink of her cheeks disappeared almost immediately. A fact that settled him immensely. “Are you going to let him come back?”
“I am open to the option.” He studied her as she continued to eat. “But I’m apprehensive about it.”
Mona nodded a little. “I understand.”
“Do you?”
“”I mean, I try.” Mona took a drink of the water he gave her. “There’s a certain amount of trust you all have to have in each other, right?” She poked at her potatoes. “Otherwise everyone is at risk.”
“I have to keep everyone here safe. I can’t do that when one of my men is trying to fulfill two separate agendas.”
“Are there two separate agendas?”
If anyone else asked him the question there would have been no hesitation in his reply.
But this was Mona.
She deserved his consideration.
“I’m not sure how we could share an agenda with GHOST.” He wanted her to elaborate. Share her thoughts with him.
Share more than that. “Tell me what you think.”
Mona’s eyes slowly lifted to his. “If GHOST didn’t have to be involved in this they wouldn’t be, right?”
“That’s right.” Pierce rested his forearms on the edge of the counter, leaning close, waiting for her to continue.
“So they’re in this because for some reason they have to be.” Mona’s voice was a little stronger. “It’s possible they are simply concerned about their own security. Whoever we’re dealing with is clearly capable of getting into places they shouldn’t.”
“Okay.”
“But I don’t think that’s it.” Mona caught the left inside edge of her lower lip between her teeth.
“What do you think it is?”
“I think for some reason they need us.” The words tumbled out and her lips pressed together.
Pierce let the idea settle for a second, studying the woman across from him as he did.
“Vincent wanted to make a deal with me.”
Mona’s brows lifted. “The man from GHOST?”
Pierce nodded.
“What was the deal?”
“I don’t know. I walked out.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Mona went back to her dinner. “I’d be interested to know what it was.”
“We should go ask him.” The offer was out before he could think it through.
Not that it would have changed anything.
“You should go ask him. You’re the owner of the company.”
“And we’ve discovered I’m useless on my own.” Pierce smiled, knowing he found his next foothold in the wall he was scaling. “I need a handler.”
“I’m sure Heidi or Harlow would be better suited for that job.”
“I disagree.” Pierce wiped his mouth with the napkin draped across one thigh. “Heidi and Harlow would only make things worse.”
A sharp knock came from the living room. Mona jumped, her eyes snapping in that direction. “What’s that?”
Damn it.
He pushed from his chair. “It’s the main door. I’ll be right back.”
The person on the other side was knocking again by the time he got there, the sound getting louder with each rap. Pierce pulled open the door.
Dutch stood on the other side. “Vincent’s here.”
“He’s here?” Of all the poorly timed— “Why?”
“He’s got a team of ten guys with him. Wants to talk to you now.”
The alarm on the back door started to wail, the sound shrill and loud.
“I’ll be down in a minute.” Pierce started to close the door.
Dutch blocked the door with his foot. “Is there something