Eddie’s cheek twitched. “You want me to convince you to work with me?”

Wolfe shrugged. “It appears we’re already working with you. I’m here just to make sure it’s a good idea.”

“And if it isn’t?” Jonny P asked, his hand inching for his weapon.

Wolfe didn’t blink. “Must we really throw threats back and forth? Obviously we all know our jobs, are successful, and have no problem taking care of the competition.” He looked at Raider. “Do they have any idea how much you enjoy making bodies disappear?”

Raider straightened his shoulders. “I’ve kept my hobbies to myself. Thanks.”

Eddie tossed his napkin on his half-eaten spaghetti. “My answer is no. I don’t work with people I haven’t met.” He pushed back from the table. “I’ll get you your half of the money we worked yesterday, within two weeks. Other than that, we’re done.”

Wolfe sighed heavily and drew out a square black box with a blinking red light above a round blue button. “Plan B it is, then.”

Eddie paused. “What’s that?”

Wolfe eyed the blinking light. “My boss has some impressive connections in the government, and this is a prototype that has great potential. That button? If I push it, those explosives Raider told me about will go kaboom.”

Jonny P snorted. “You’re serious.”

“Yep.” Wolfe looked deadly serious. “In fact, any explosive device within a half block, other than old-fashioned dynamite, which you don’t have, will detonate.”

“Bullshit,” Eddie said, his chin lowering. “My explosives are beyond the shield, as we call it. It’s a fantastic jammer.”

“Yeah. Government. Can get beyond your jammer.” Wolfe cocked his head. “Wanna bet on it?”

Eddie’s mouth compressed into a thin line. “If this building comes down, you die.”

Wolfe twisted his torso and confiscated Jonny P’s gun while still holding the detonator in his free hand. “I’m ready to die, Mr. Coonan. Are you?”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Malcolm came to pick up Pippa just as Brigid finished her lettuce wraps. They were exactly what she needed. “How’s Angus?” she asked.

“Stubborn and cranky, but he enjoyed the chicken-and-rice dish.” His dark green eyes sparkled, and in his black jacket, he looked like a badass. Several women had tracked his progress across the restaurant, but he hadn’t seemed to notice. Droplets of rain clung to his dark hair. He held Pippa’s coat out for her. “It’s raining. Did you have fun?”

“I did,” she murmured, her face rosy from two glasses of wine.

“Good.” He looked around. “You guys leaving?”

Nari waved him off. “I’ll get the check—you two go ahead. We need to return to the office in case Raider or Wolfe has news.”