Generation 18 (Spook Squad 2)

“How do I keep in contact?”

“You’ll be wearing a transmitter that will be monitored twenty-four hours a day.” Stephan reached into his desk and pulled out what looked like a gold ear stud. “This is the current model. It records sound and pictures. You turn it on and off by simply touching the surface.”

“I don’t have to get my ears pierced, do I?” She’d rather face a dozen vampires than one doctor armed with a body-piercing implement.

Stephan’s smile held the first real hint of warmth she’d seen since she walked into his office. “No. The studs are designed to cling to human flesh. You actually won’t be able to get them off without the help of the labs.”

Just as well she could turn them off, then. She needed some privacy in her life, even if it was only to go to the bathroom.

“When do I start?”

/> “Tomorrow night.” Stephan picked up another folder and passed it across the desk. “In here you’ll find detailed backgrounds on Wetherton’s friends, family and business acquaintances.”

She dropped the folder onto her lap. There was plenty of time to look at it later. “You were pretty certain I’d take this job, weren’t you?”

“Yes. What other choice have you actually got?”

Indeed. “And Gabriel?”

“Will be told you’ve been reassigned.”

Which would no doubt please him. He’d finally gotten what he wanted—her out of his life. “And will I be? After this assignment is over, that is?”

Stephan considered her for several seconds. “That depends.”

“On what?”

“On whether or not he has come to his senses by then.”

A statement she didn’t like one little bit. “You owe me, Stephan,” she said softly. For ordering his agents to shoot when she’d been trying to stop the shifter who’d taken Gabriel’s form. For the hour of questioning she’d faced afterward when she should have been in the med center. For saving his twin’s life. “All I want is permanent reassignment.”

His gaze met hers, assessing, calculating. “All right,” he said slowly. “As I said, this assignment could take more than a year to complete. If you still wish a new partner at the end, I will comply.”

She stared at him. He had agreed to her demands far too easily. She didn’t trust him—and didn’t trust that he meant what he said. But for the moment, there was little she could do about it.

“What happens if I need access to files or information?”

“You’ll have a portable com-unit with you, coded to respond only to your voice and retinal scan. You’ll also have priority access to all files, though a copy of all requests and search results will be sent to me.”

She raised an eyebrow. Priority access? Whatever it was Stephan thought Wetherton was involved in had to be huge.

The intercom buzzed into the silence and Stephan leaned across and pressed the button. “Yes?”

“Assistant Director Stern to see you, as requested, sir.”

“Send him in.” He gave her a toothy smile that held absolutely no sincerity. “I thought you might like to say goodbye.”

Gabriel was the last person she wanted to see. She could barely control her temper around him these days, and hitting a superior officer would only get her into more trouble than Gabriel was worth. And Stephan damn well knew it. She thrust upright. “You’re a bastard, you know that?”

“No, I’m a man faced with two people who won’t acknowledge that they are meant to be partners.”

The door opened, giving her no time to reply. She clenched the folder tightly but found her gaze drawn to the tall man entering the room. His hazel eyes narrowed when he saw her.

But just for an instant, something passed between them—an emotion she couldn’t define and he would never verbally acknowledge. And that made her even angrier.

“Sam,” Gabriel said, his voice as polite as the nod he gave her.

“Gabriel,” she bit back, and glanced at Stephan. “Will that be all, sir?”