Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,6

was the polar opposite. She’d inherited her mom’s size and her father’s dark looks.

Everyone had always been shocked when they’d said they were sisters because they looked so different, but they were close, or at least they had been. Thoughts of her sister inevitably brought the familiar pain in her chest, and only iron control stopped her from reaching up and trying to rub the pain away. It didn’t work anyway—it never worked.

Plastering a smile on her face, she locked the thoughts down, not wanting Jack to see that vulnerable, exposed side. He had made it clear he didn’t like her, and she was damned if she’d share her pain with him. “So, what’s the plan?”

He was watching her intently with those baby blue eyes that seemed to see everything and nothing at the same time. Her skin prickled with need and her heart beat faster. He was so intense and like every time before, she wondered what it would be like for a man like him to lose control, to show the world what was underneath all that muscle and good looks. She wanted that. Who wouldn’t? Jack was a fine specimen of a man, if not the best she’d seen, and she’d seen more than her share of handsome men. Charm was definitely not part of his package though.

“Why are you staring? Is my boob hanging out or something?” She looked down, pretending to check when really, she was just trying to get away from the knowing eyes that seemed to be seeing through her armour today.

“Why do you do that?” His voice was a deep rich baritone that made her think of sweaty sex.

“Do what?”

“That. Deflect attention by being annoying and provocative.”

Astrid gripped her coffee mug tighter, her fingers turning white on the cup. “I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. You try to wind me up and get a reaction from me like a fifteen-year-old girl.”

“Wow, conceited much?”

Jack stood and moved to her side of the desk, leaning his delectable ass against it. She refused to move even though she wanted to get away from his addictive pull and his leg innocently brushing hers.

“I’m not being conceited. You admitted it in Taamira’s hotel room, remember?”

She did remember that and felt heat rush to her cheeks at getting caught lusting after the sexy asshole. Astrid waved her hand in the air. “That was a minor aberration and I’m over it now.”

“Are you? That’s a shame.”

His leg pressed against her thigh, and she felt her breathing increase as she tried to stop her damned heart from exploding. “Are you flirting with me, Jack?”

He shrugged his big shoulders. “Maybe. But as you say, you’re over it, so it makes no odds.” Before she could react, he handed her a thick A4 envelope and moved back to the safety of his side. “We have a lot to get through, so let’s get started.”

He was all business again, and it was as if that little flirtation had never happened. Whether he meant it or was using it to tip the balance in his favour again, she didn’t know, but she had no intention of finding out. Jack Granger was dangerous, and not just because he killed people but because he was the first person in a long time to really see through her shell to the vulnerable woman beneath.

“You’ll act as you did on the previous operation as the Queen’s personal lady in waiting. When she’s outside of her private rooms, you’ll accompany her to all engagements. Once inside, she’ll be guarded by one of the Eidolon team.”

“Have there been any actionable threats?” Astrid might be a flake where this man was concerned, but she was also good at her job and a professional.

“No, but as you know, there are outstanding threats that have made it clear they want her dead, and I don’t just mean my father.”

She knew it took a lot for him to say those words and had to give him kudos for facing it head on. “I’ll be kept updated on all threats, minor or otherwise?” she asked as she read over the packed itinerary.

Jack linked his fingers together on his desk, leaning in slightly. “Yes, absolutely full transparency.”

“There are a lot of formal functions and walkabouts.”

He sighed. “I know, and I tried to talk her out of some, but she wouldn’t hear of it. So we go with the flow.”

“I’m going to have to ship some of the clothes I’ll need.”

“Have Pax take care of it and bill Eidolon