Robins lips pursed as she asked, “You seem free now.”
“Actually, I’m here for a meeting.” Jasper turned to me and said, “Alysa, if you will follow me, we can begin.”
Jasper didn’t wait for a response or even introduce himself. He just walked away from us. Normally, if I encountered anyone so arrogant, I’d voice my opinion of his rude behavior. But I had to remind myself why I was here.
I quickly said to Robin, “It was nice talking to you. But I’d better go.”
She grabbed hold of my wrist as I went to walk away. In a very low tone she asked, “Do you know him?”
“He’s…my boss,” I said.
Robin loosened her grip. “Just…remember what I said. If you find anyone, and I mean anyone giving you a problem, let me know.”
I was confused, because a moment earlier Robin wanted to meet with Jasper, and now, she was almost trying to stop me from following him. If Jasper was that dangerous, Burke might want to keep his fiancée away from him.
Nodding, I rushed to catch up with Jasper – not easy to do in heels. When I was within earshot again, I asked, “Mr. Florraz, where exactly are we going?”
“To my suite,” he replied, without turning to face me.
Oh, hell no!I thought I was meeting with Mikal and didn’t even strap a weapon anywhere on my body. Why would I? We were supposed to meet in the lobby. What could go wrong there? But this isn’t Mikal and being alone with Jasper in his suite definitely wasn’t part of the plan.
But I wasn’t really alone. I had my earpiece and someone was listening in. I’m sure Burke had been made aware of the change in plans.
Jasper waited for me by the elevator, and once inside he pushed the button for the top floor. Breaking the silence, I asked, “I thought I was meeting with your assistant, Mikal.”
“He had other things to attend to.”
“And you don’t?” The snippy retort slipped through my lips before I could stop it.
Jasper spun around, glowering at me. He was trying to intimidate me. Little did he know it would take a hell of a lot more than dark, menacing eyes to set me quaking in my proverbial boots. I’d been in military combat and held at gunpoint by a tourist and I could read their eyes, their intentions, better than I could his. And it was Burke who had my six back then, just like now.
There was a major difference this time. Burke didn’t know if Jasper was the enemy or not. And my job wasn’t to take him down, but to retrieve intel that apparently no one else could.
I forced a nervous stammer and added, “I…I mean…you’re…in the middle of a presidential election. I can only imagine how busy you are.”
Jasper stared at me for a moment, but eventually seemed to have bought my explanation.
As the elevator doors opened, he stepped out and said, “I am, so don’t waste any of my time.”
As he strode down the hallway, I rushed to keep up without twisting an ankle. Even though my glasses weren’t prescription, the thick frames were another obstacle. I had wanted to look the part, but tomorrow I would opt for something more practical in case Jasper needed to meet with me again.
When we entered his suite, Jasper pointed to a sofa and barked, “Sit there and I will be with you shortly.”
I did as he asked, and once he left the entertaining room and was behind closed doors I muttered, “What an ass.”
Instantly Burke’s voice was loud and clear on my tactical earpiece. “Careful, LaHouse. He might have the place wired as well.”
Damn it. I should’ve thought of that.If it was overheard, I’d just have to think of another bogus excuse for my sharp tongue. It was a habit I’d tried to break, but when I was in the Corps, I’d been the only woman on the team. I hardly swore these days, but the sarcasm seemed to be harder to break. Might be time to double down on that.
Jasper returned a few moments later and took the seat across from me. “Your résumé is quite impressive.”
“Thank you, Mr. Florraz.” I wasn’t going to offer any information as I’d like to keep the conversation with him brief.
“I know how you Americans like to be…informal, so call me Jasper.” I wouldn’t normally think someone was trying to insult me, but his tone told otherwise.
And Burke is worried about my remarks?
Smiling I replied, “We do, so please, call me Alysa. Was there something specific you wanted to discuss with me this morning?”