“This isn’t a quid pro quo thing. You don’t—”
She pressed her finger to his lips. “There’s no way I’m going to walk away from you and let this crazed maniac hunt you down. I’ve got your six, Sinclair Develin.” She flashed him a smile. “And together, we’ll get it done.”
20
Teaming
At six in the morning, Evangeline slipped out of the town car and hurried into her apartment building, Sin close on her heels. Alexandra had texted them that the story would air during the seven o’clock morning news, again at noon, and during each of the local evening newscasts.
“Are you sure?” Evangeline pulled a suitcase out from beneath the bed.
“Positive,” Sin replied. “You’re safer at my place. I have surveillance cameras and a security system.”
“Okay.” Evangeline changed out of her clothing and packed in record time. “I’ll drive to your office.”
“Anton will follow us.”
“You go with him,” she said, packing the box of luxury vodka he’d bought her. “I want to stop by Hannah’s and tell her what happened with Rava. And I’ve got to get over there before Joey stops by. He’s there more than I am.”
“Do you have a picture of him?”
“No.”
“Get one.” Then, he drew her into his arms. “We’ll handle the press together.”
“It’s an open investigation, so I won’t say much.”
He dropped a light kiss on her mouth. “I’ve got you.” Her smile had him kissing her again.
“And I’ve got you, too.”
On the way to Hannah’s, she called her sister. “Too early to stop by?”
“Of course not. I’d love to see you.”
Once there, Evangeline cooked scrambled eggs while Hannah, still in her jammies, boiled water for tea.
“How was your New Year’s Eve party?” Evangeline asked.
Hannah shrugged. “It was fine. I’m still getting used to Charlene being so nice to me.”
“What does she think about putting the baby up for adoption?” Evangeline didn’t care what Charlene thought, but suspected Hannah did.
Hannah poured the tea. “She thought it might be a good choice for me. She said that being a mom was the last thing she ever wanted.”
“Charlene doesn’t have a maternal bone in her body, so I wouldn’t give credence to anything she says on the subject.”
They sat at the kitchen table and ate. “I have good news. I’ve been working with someone who was able to find the woman in the sex video.”
Hannah’s eyebrows flew up. “That’s great! Wow, you never said anything.”
“I couldn’t. Anyway, the story is airing this morning at seven.”
Hannah patted Evangeline’s hand. “I’m happy for you. Maybe Charlene will apologize.”
Pushing out of her chair, Evangeline dropped her plate into the dishwasher. “Not interested.”
“Did you hire your PI friend, Carly Hott?”
“No. Sinclair Develin helped me.”
“Whoa. The Fixer?”
Evangeline’s lips split into a grin.
Hannah’s eyebrows jutted up. “Your cheeks are pink. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Yeah, right. You’re smiling so hard right now.”
“Only because we found the woman and she confessed to blackmailing your dad.” Evangeline sighed. “Unfortunately, he might have given her some classified information.”
“Oh, no.” Pushing out of the chair, Hannah waddled over to the small TV on the kitchen counter. “Let’s watch the story.”
“I don’t need to see it again. Before I go, I want to understand where you are with the adoption.”
To her surprise, Hannah’s eyes welled with tears. “I’m so torn up about it, I’ve even considered talking to Trevon.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” As Evangeline hugged her sister, Hannah choked back a sob. “I’m here for you, no matter what you decide.”
“Thank you,” she said, laying a protective hand over her tummy. “Joey’s been so supportive, too. I’m making dinner for him tonight. I’d love it if you could join us.”
I’ll get his picture for Sin. “Sounds fun. What can I bring?”
“Just yourself.” Hannah walked Evangeline to the front door. “Winter break is over for me. I go back to work tomorrow.”
Less she’ll see of Joey. “That’s great. See you later, Hannah-Boo.”
Evangeline slogged through rush hour traffic to Sin’s office, determined to put a wedge between her sister and Joey. When she entered the office building, she stopped short. The lobby was packed with journalists and camera crews, hungry for a sound bite. She ducked outside before they spotted her and called Sin.
“Hey,” he answered. “The story just aired. Where are you?”
“Out front. Your lobby is packed with reporters. Do you have a back entrance?”
“Be right down.”
A moment later, he strode through the front doors and her heart rate sped up. He was all swagger and brimming with confidence. She loved him in a suit. The tailored duds accentuated his strong build, the bright white shirt and pink tie made his blue eyes pop. His lips curved in a discreet smile, the determination in his eyes made her heart flutter. “Ready to do this?”
“I am now.”
Together, they walked into his building and the press swarmed like hungry vultures in the hot desert.
Sin flashed a cool smile at the reporters. “Thanks for being here.” She loved how he turned on the charm. His charismatic presence commanded their full attention. The media waited, eager for a news story.
“I’d like to provide you with a brief statement on behalf of Ms. Worthington,” Sin began. “As you know, Rava Suknova confessed to being the woman in the sex video with Birdwell Caraway, Deputy Director of Domestic Communications with the FBI. If Ms. Suknova’s allegations are accurate, then she was blackmailing Mr. Caraway for high-level government secrets.”
“How do we know the confession interview wasn’t staged?” one reporter asked. “Isn’t Alexandra Wilde one of your closest friends?”
“Ms. Wilde’s journalistic integrity speaks for itself. Let’s stay on point. I believed in Ms. Worthington’s innocence, so we hunted down the woman in the video. The matter is now under investigation by the FBI.”
“Ms. Worthington,” shouted a journalist. “What do you have to say to everyone who believed you were having an affair with your former stepdad?”
Sin’s quiet strength filled her with peace. Squaring her shoulders, she addressed the journalists. “I’m grateful to Mr. Develin and his team for going the distance. I’m ready to put the fiasco behind me.”
“When do you get cleared?”
“That’s a question for the FBI,” Evangeline replied. “I have no further comment.”
“Thanks again for stopping by.” Sin took Evangeline’s arm and ushered her through the crowd. As soon as the elevator doors closed, he pinned her against the wall. Rather than ravage her, he cupped her chin and gave her a long, luxurious, panty-searing kiss. “Congratulations.”