“If I go upstairs with you right now—” he said as the doors slid closed. He didn’t get to finish.

The elevator climbed five floors and then set me free. Feeling ridiculous, I hurried to the window at the end of the hall and watched Thomas walk across the street with his hands in his pockets. A weird sadness came over me until he paused and looked up. When his eyes met mine, a gentle smile stretched across his face. I waved at him, and he waved back and then continued on.

Feeling half embarrassed and half exhilarated, I walked to my condo and dug around in my purse for my keys. The metal grated against each other as I jiggled the lock and turned the knob. Immediately, I closed the door behind me, and one after another, I slid the chain and flipped the dead bolt.

The boxes stacked in my condo were beginning to look like furniture. I let my purse slide from my shoulder onto the small table next to me, and I kicked off my shoes. It was going to be a long solitary night.

Three loud knocks on the door made me jump, and without checking the peephole, I scrambled to open the locks before yanking the door open so quickly that the wind swept my hair.

“Hi,” I said, blinking.

“Don’t look so letdown,” Sawyer said, brushing past me into my living room.

He sat on my couch, leaning back into the cushions and stretching his arms out over the top. He looked more comfortable in my condo than I did.

I didn’t bother asking an FBI agent how he knew where I lived. “What the hell are you doing here, unannounced?”

“It’s Friday. I’ve been trying to speak with you all week. I live in the next building over. I was outside, smoking my e-cig, and saw Maddox walk in here with you, but then he walked toward Cutter’s without you.”

“I’m not understanding where any of that translates into an invitation.”

“Sorry,” he said, not an ounce of apology in his voice. “Can I come over?”

“No.”

“It’s about Maddox’s kid brother.”

That gave me pause. “What about him?”

Sawyer enjoyed having my full attention. “Did you read the file?”

“Yes.”

“All of it?”

“Yes, Sawyer. Stop wasting my time.”

“Did you read the part about Benny trying to employ Travis? The S.A.C. ordered Maddox to make his brother an asset. He has an in no one else does.”

“I know this already.” I didn’t want to let him in on the fact that Travis had already been slated for recruitment. My gut told me to keep that to myself.

“Did you also know that it’s a shit idea? Abby Abernathy is the way to go.”

“She doesn’t get along with her father. Travis is the more viable choice.”