Read Online The Spy Who Loves Me by Julie Kenner - Free Book Online

that had been a fiasco.
    â€œI’m not a miracle worker,” he said with a scowl. “We’ve already had one screwup. I’m not going to risk another.”
    She nodded. The failure of the access code had been a huge setback. Once he’d calmed down, Drake had contacted his silent partner and was assured that the changed code had been the result of an underling’s unfortunate attack of conscience. Drake’s identity and plan remained unknown to the agency. Diana had her doubts, but Drake seemed convinced, citing old alliances and shared secrets. More, he’d refused to move back the demonstration, meaning they had to obtain the new access code.
    In that regard, Diana’s talents had proved useful. She cracked the code and, she thought, all was well. It wasn’t. ZAEL implemented a changing code, reprogramming the access information every three hours. A smart move on ZAEL’s part, but it put Diana in an impossible position. The software she’d developed took days, not hours, to ferret out access information.
    Which meant they had only one choice, and that was to go in through a back door. Drake’s invisible partner had pointed them to the man with the key to that door, and Drake had again turned to Diana, citing the need for her other talents.
    His brow furrowed. “We will have control of the system in time, won’t we?”
    â€œOf course,” she snapped, irritated at the hint of accusation. After all, she wasn’t the one who set the presentation so soon. Only two more days, and he expected miracles. Defiant, she met his eyes. “It’s all arranged. I’m meeting with Poindexter, and tonight’s the night. Don’t worry. I know exactly what we need.” She slicked her hair back from her face, her distaste palpable. The job was too unpleasant by half.
    â€œGood,” he said. He squeezed her foot again, and she felt him harden under her touch.
    She shivered slightly. “I don’t want to sleep with him.”
    â€œBut if you have to, you will.”
    â€œOf course.” But she’d close her eyes and think of Drake.
    â€œAs for the neighbor,” he said, “give me the name, and I’ll see what I can find out.”
    â€œPhineus Teague,” she said.
    â€œPhineus? What the hell kind of name is that?”
    â€œHis, apparently.”
    Drake snorted. “Well, Mister Phineus Teague,” he said, “I hope you’re just angling for a quick roll with my lady. Because if you’re up to anything else, your ass is toast.”

Five
    A mber?”
    Amber twisted around, clutching a battered copy of Ian Fleming’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as she feigned surprise. “Finn?” She blinked and took a tentative step toward him. “What on earth are you doing in Pasadena?”
    â€œThis is my best friend’s house,” he said, nodding at the small group gathered behind him. “What are you doing here?”
    The question was a reasonable one, and said without any hint of suspicion. Amber mentally applauded her dramatic talent, and flashed her most innocent smile. “A friend and I decided to haunt garage sales today, but she got called away, and I told her I’d find my own way home.”
    â€œCalled away?”
    â€œShe’s a surgeon,” she said, the lie tripping easily off her tongue. “Got paged.” She shrugged. “Happens all the time. I always carry taxi fare when I’m with her.”
    â€œExciting life,” he said, a hint of something close to wistfulness lacing his voice.
    â€œFor her,” Amber said with a shrug. She twisted a strand of hair around her finger, her eyes locking onto his. “My life’s about as dull as they come.”
    â€œJoin the club,” he said.
    Her eyes narrowed, wondering if he meant it, or if they were both telling the same lie.
    â€œYou two know each other?” Millie came over and put