He’d moved into her apartment here in the Sentinel Security warehouse. He’d added a few things of his own, but he liked her place and her style. It felt like home.
Really, as long as Hadley was there, he was happy.
He had bought her the Bentley, though. She’d protested, but he knew she loved it.
She’d also taken him to Nightingale House for a visit. Many of the residents had been cautious of him, uncertain around a man. But sweet Cora hadn’t been. She’d been giddy that Hadley had a boyfriend.
He hadn’t mentioned to Hadley yet that he’d made a rather large donation to the shelter in her name. She’d get exasperated at him, but she’d be happy about it.
He was so damn happy.
Every now and then, he thought of Paul and it hurt. Such a damn waste. He felt the same when he thought of Ajay and Archie.
But life moved on.
Just yesterday, Hamed’s little girl had sent him a drawing of the New York skyline. Telling him that she missed him, and she hoped he was having a good time. He smiled. Hamed would be proud of her, and the bright future she had ahead of her.
And he’d be proud that Bennett was living his life.
He was seizing life and living it to the fullest with Hadley, in honor of those he’d lost.
“Did I hear someone mention drinks?” Killian appeared, buttoning his suit jacket.
“Yeah,” Bennett said. “I’ll buy you a Balvenie, Killian.”
“I’d prefer a Pappy Van Winkle bourbon.”
“Done.”
“The 23-year-old.”
Which didn’t come cheap but was a decent drop. “I think I can afford it.”
As they headed back to the others, they heard an enraged shriek.
“That asshole! He just hacked my tablet.”
They saw Hex waving a hand in the air, her face red.
“Icannotbelieve him.”
“Someone hacked the Sentinel Security system?” Killian’s face looked like thunder.
“No.” Hex took a breath. “No one can get through the Sentinel Security firewall. It’s my personal tablet.”
“Who?” Killian demanded.
“Fucking Shade.” Hex tapped and swiped on her tablet. “He likes playing games. You’d think a spy would, you know, be busy with more important things.” Her gaze narrowed. “I’ll get him back.”
Bennett glanced at Hadley, and saw her hiding a smile.
“What did he say?” Hadley asked.
Hex’s cheeks pinkened. “Nothing interesting.”
“Spill, Adler,” Hadley demanded.
“He complimented me on the challenge of getting into my system.” She tossed her head back. “He said he likes…sliding into tight places.”