“Our operations are not this much fun.”

“It happens when I clap eyes on you,” he said. “Every time.”

They conjoined and did it looking into each other’s eyes, until Felicity rolled over and on top of him. “This is my favorite position, you know.”

“I love the view from down here,” Stone said, reaching for her nipples.

“And I love having both your hands on my body.”

—

They stopped before exhaustion set in and dressed for dinner, then went down to the library.

“Osso buco tonight,” Stone said. “I remember how you love it.”

“Thank you, my dear,” she replied.

“Tell me about your week,” he said.

“It’s just as well I didn’t come down here Monday night,” she said. “It turned out to be a very busy week.”

“Have you heard anything further about Roger?”

“No, but someone brought up his name at the national security meeting.”

“In what light?”

“Everyone considers him a threat, now.”

“Good. How many people do you have assigned to you right now?”

“Four,” she replied, “and armed to the teeth.”

“Are they outside now?”

“Yes, and they are rentals. The desire for security among the cognoscenti is such that I have had to turn to your friends at Strategic Services to lend a hand, and no one is complaining about the cost.”

“Tell them to get some supper from the kitchen,” Stone said.

“They’ll appreciate that.”

“Lance will be relieved to learn that you’re taking the threat seriously.”

“Ah, Lance.”

“Anything new to report re: Roger?”

“He appears to be wallowing in connubial bliss,” she replied.

“‘Connubial’?”

“They went to a registry office and got married.”

“That says something about how serious the Russians are, that they would allow that.”

“I’m sure they encouraged it.”

“I wouldn’t have thought that connubial bliss would be a requirement for an assassin.”

“They clearly want him to be happy,” Felicity said. “I’m sure they think it will make him more responsive to their wishes, if he knows that, by refusing an order, he jeopardizes everything.”

“Good point. Is anyone doing anything to rattle these people?”

“Apparently not. Someone at the meeting had drawn up a list of Russians to knock off, should they get lucky with one of ours. A rapid response.”

“I don’t see how that does anything preventative.”

“Neither do I,” she replied.

“Are your people taking any steps, other than watching my house?”

“All of our people are now bearing upgraded arms,” she said. “Everyone now has a sniper scope with night vision capabilities. Everything is silenced, too.”

“Well, I’m glad for them not to disturb my neighbors.”

“You don’t really have any neighbors, Stone, except for the guests in your hotel.”

“Especially paying neighbors.”

She laughed and polished off her peach tart. “Now,” she said, “I’m ready to be bodily carried upstairs.”