Under that thought was another one: coming into this, she had believed she could do her job and find her brother without getting her hands dirty. Without causing suffering to herself or anyone else, unless they absolutely deserved it. Did Anton deserve this? She couldn’t answer the question.

No, that was a lie. She didn’t want to answer the question, even though she already knew what the answer was.

Roland said something. Ellie struggled to recall it, couldn’t.

“Could you repeat that?”

“I asked if you understood how you’re to approach Frank,” Roland said.

She stared out the window.

“Ellie?”

“I heard you.”

“Then hear this,” Roland said. “If Ron Wolff’s people were shadowing Anton—and it’s reasonable to assume they were—then Frank knows that Anton and you gave him the slip. You left your phone behind, so Frank and/or his crew couldn’t track you. If you don’t go to Frank, he’ll come to you.”

“I understand.”

“Anton may act all nice with you, but don’t forget there’s another side to him, a guy who has no problem slitting someone’s throat or putting a bullet in someone’s head. You’re not an exception to the rule.”

She knew he was right. But the emotional part of her refused to give any ground, and there was something else that was bothering her: Roland was asking her to use Anton as a human chess piece to further an agenda—something politicians and bureaucrats did. It didn’t sit right with her, crossed some invisible line.

“Anton sealed his fate a long time ago,” Roland said. “Remember that and you’ll be fine. You’ll get over it.”

Roland checked his watch. “I’ve got to get going. Your next appointment will be here soon.”

“My next appointment?”

“Cody.”

Hearing his name was thrilling, and a much-welcomed relief given the long day. Still, a part of her mind wouldn’t let go of Anton—and Frank, and Paul, all of it.

“How much time do we have?” Ellie asked.

“Couple of hours. That enough time for your conjugal visit?”

“Conjugal visit? That’s for prisoners.”

Roland smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Aren’t we all?”

CHAPTER 24

ELLIE CAME TWICE. She was on top—her preferred position, giving her the most control—and steadily working her way to a third orgasm, a new personal record, when she felt Cody’s fingers dig into her hips and ass, the signal that he was getting close to having his own. She leaned forward and placed her hands on his chest, feeling the strength there, the muscles contracting, and started to ride him harder, wanting selfishly to get to the finish line before he did.

Then Cody arched his back and let out a gasp of pleasure that to her ears also sounded like a cry for help, a plea for her to come back home, back to him.

Cody hadn’t said any such words to her—hadn’t said much of anything since she’d walked through the door to her hotel room twenty minutes ago. It took him a moment to get over the shock of seeing not only her after their months apart but also how different she looked, with her haircut and dye job. She had also answered the door naked, except for the black stiletto heels. Cody loved it when she wore heels.