Under the Rose - Kathryn Nolan Page 0,85

meant what I said to the Deputy Director. They’re pretending like they’re doing us a favor. But they don’t have two agents with access like you two have created. You’re helping them.”

I let out a massive sigh, resting my elbows on my knees. My nerves sparked like little fireworks in my belly—a sensation that felt more like excitement than fear. Flush with sex-confidence and Sam’s newly garnered trust, I’d barreled in here and demanded Abe pull the trigger on this bonkers plan. A month ago, I might have wanted to be the undercover bad-ass, but I would have tamped it down. Now?

Sam stood next to me, and when I looked at him, I recognized what Abe had been trying to show us all along. We were stronger together.

We could accomplish anything—together.

Next to me, Delilah and Henry were already a blur of motion—talking through tasks in a verbal shorthand that betrayed the many levels of their intimacy. Abe crossed his legs, leaning back in that regal-looking chair. Our boss and former instructor pinned Sam and me with an intense stare.

“You were the most brilliant students I’d ever had the pleasure of teaching at Quantico,” he said seriously. “Even if one might have not completed the training in the traditional sense, there’s a reason why the two of you are right for this job. And right together.”

“Yes, sir,” Sam said hoarsely.

“Thank you, Abe,” I said softly.

“Do not let him get hurt,” Abe said to me.

He glared at Sam. “Do not let Freya get hurt. I want the two of you to sleep here for a few hours. Henry and Delilah can handle working with the Bureau. Is there anything else I need to know before tonight?”

I held up one finger. “Sam and I might have broken into Philosopher’s Hall.”

He sighed. “If I wasn’t impressed, I’d be pissed. Now go sleep.”

36

Freya

Sam and I were back at The Grand Dame hotel. Fifteen hours had passed—hours in which we’d both napped, fitfully. Prepped and strategized with Henry and Delilah until my brain felt overflowing with tactics. I knew every random factoid about Sherlock Holmes I could manage, had elite technology placed into my ears, and knew the floor plans of this hotel inside and out. All day, we’d monitored the Under the Rose site, but the only messages Birdie received were from Thomas, confirming tonight’s details. Meet us at our hotel room at 8:00 pm. We have your masks.

We strolled through the lobby beneath the long, white banner declaring the 60th Annual Antiquarian Book Festival. Past the lobby, I could see booksellers dismantling their booths and packing their historic tomes. How strange that Sam and I were about to enter a world where those same books were bartered illegally. The difference between the two was like night and day—the conference room blazed with light and good-humored chatter.

Sam and I were descending into a world much, much darker.

The ornate elevator doors dinged open, and we slipped inside. The doors closed, and we turned to face each other—our first minutes alone since we’d had insanely hot sex in the back seat of his car. Sam had the audacity to wear a white tuxedo jacket, black bowtie, black pants. Hair slicked back, jaw clean-shaven, eyes midnight blue. He looked like a superhero dressed for the opera.

I wanted to ravage him in this fucking elevator.

“Can you hear me, Frey?” Delilah’s voice—tinny on the earpiece.

“Loud and clear,” I answered. Surprisingly, my voice shook not a bit.

Sam touched his ear, head tilting subtly. “I can hear you,” he repeated. Henry was in his ear.

“We’re listening in on you both,” Delilah said. “Me, Henry, and Abe. The other agents.” There was a flurry of here, here, testing from the ten agents scattered in unmarked cars near the hotel.

Her voice was light, but I’d known Delilah for two years now. Her subtext was don’t say anything you don’t want our boss to hear.

I let out a grateful sigh. “Thank you. Knowing the three of you are close makes me feel like I’ve got magic powers.”

“Of course,” Delilah said. “We’re Codex. It’s what we do. And you are going to be amazing. You don’t even need magic.”

“We are amazing,” I said, smiling at Sam. His expression was impassive.

The elevator dinged as it neared our destination on the second floor.

“Time check,” Sam said loudly, glancing at his watch. “We’ll be at the Alexanders’ door in two minutes.”

“Got it,” Delilah said. “We’re going quiet now. But we’re on and listening. I’ll see you on the other