Read Online Undercover Nightingale by Wendy Rosnau - Free Book Online Page B

this wasn’t the time to be thinking about sex and personal achievements.
    “You all right, boss?”
    Ash blinked out of his muse. “Wait for me in the hall, Naldo. I’ll be right there.” After his cousin left, he said, “Stay in the suite with Petrov. Don’t leave for any reason.”
    “Are you going back to the bar for my bag?”
    “The bag isn’t important right now.”
    “But—”
    “Lock the door and don’t let anyone in.”
    “Does that include you?”
    She had her chin hiked in the air and her hands planted on her slender hips. She really did look good in those jeans.
    Ash grabbed his leather jacket off the back of the couch. “I’ve got a key. I’ll let myself in.”
    He left the suite, then headed for the elevator with Naldo.
    “Where are we going, primo? ”
    “On a witch hunt. Today’s shooter could be in the hotel.”
    In the elevator Ash gave Naldo a quick rundown on what had happened in the bar. When they reached the lobby, he pulled his phone from his pocket and hit a button. In seconds the picture of Jazmin Grant popped up on his screen.
    “Here’s what she looks like. If she ditched the disguise you’ll be looking for a brown-eyed blonde with killer curves. If I’m wrong, keep your eyes open for a trench coat wearing a hat.”
    Together they searched the hotel, but after two hours, Ash had no choice but to give up.
    “Sonofabitch.”
    “You want me to keep looking, primo? ”
    “Hang out in the bar a while. Maybe she’ll show back up. I’m going to get some air and check around outside.”
    While Naldo headed for the bar, Ash exited the hotel. It was dark out and colder. He pulled up the collar on his jacket, lit a cigarette, and crossed the street. He should have been dissecting the situation with Jazmin Grant, but instead he found himself thinking about Allegra and the moment she had put her arms around his neck and kissed him with enough lip suction to clean a clogged pipe—his pipe.
    It was as he started into the second block that he picked up a tail. Ash tossed his cigarette and ducked into an alley. Like clockwork, his shadow followed him.
    In the alley he found an alcove and slipped into it. He didn’t pull his gun—there was no need. The minute the shadow entered the alley, Ash stepped out to confront him.
    “You’re slipping, old man.”
    When Sly McEwen drew closer, Ash saw he was wearing a grin.
    “If my intention was to keep you in the dark, you still would be.”
    That was probably true. Ash had a wealth of respect for his Onyxx comrade. Sly was as smart as he was tough.
    “I saw you in the bar.”
    “I saw you, too.”
    “What are you doing here?” Ash asked.
    “Merrick’s idea.”
    “To keep an eye on me?”
    “He’s had you followed since you left Washington. I took over this morning.”
    Ash leaned against the building. “I know Merrick is territorial when it comes to his men, but I told him that I could—”
    “He knows you can handle yourself. It’s Stillman he’s worried about. He doesn’t trust him.”
    “That makes two of us.”
    “Three. After hearing what he pulled I don’t like him, and I don’t even know him. I think Merrick’s feeling guilty over what you’re sacrificing for Onyxx.”
    “He doesn’t need to. You would have done the same thing.”
    “Maybe. Anyway, I’m here to watch your ass, and to make sure Petrov stays alive. The data you and Pierce took from Nescosto proves that the Petrov brothers were laundering the Chameleon’s money. At the moment it’s the only lead we have to getting that bastard. You know Merrick, everything he does circles back to the Chameleon.”
    “Did you see what happened this afternoon at Ballvaro?”
    “I was there. Tell me Petrov’s alive.”
    “He took a hit, but he’ll live. He’s in my suite.”
    “Talk about timing.”
    “Yeah, I couldn’t have planned it better. Merrick’s not the only one interested in Petrov. Stillman needs him alive, too.”
    “What’s Stillman’s