Hudson knew Max was censoring himself for his benefit. The report inside those envelopes no doubt detailed Julian’s “preference” for hookers or social climbing nymphets game for a threesome.

“Do we have eyes on the ground in France?” Jim asked.

Max nodded. “I’ve also placed someone here at Chase Industries and at Ingram for Miss Sinclair.” Max twisted the gold band on his left hand. “If he has someone watching her—”

“He does,” Hudson said. “Julian knew the second we landed at O’Hare and that we shared a limo to her house.”

“Well, the guy now has a new shadow,” Ivan said. “Round the clock. Julian’s stooges don’t only work the day shift, so neither do I. Although I’m not a morning person.” He cracked some semblance of a smile. “And I’d like my coffee black.”

Hudson fixed him with a hard stare. “I don’t fetch coffee, GI Joe. And I’m not paying you to sit on your ass and drink it.”

Ivan chuckled. “I’m liking your boy here, Max.” His words were said without an ounce of condescension. “You’ve got balls of steel under that prissy Tom Ford, dontcha, Mr. Chase?”

“Ralph Lauren Black Label,” Jim corrected. Hudson was impressed. The guy clearly knew his suits.

“Where do we go from here?” Hudson asked, refocusing the conversation.

“Jessica will be conducting back channel investigations,” Max said.

“Most of it’s done on the dark web,” she explained. “If there’s a trail of cash, I’ll find it there.”

“We’ll get started right away,” Jim said, offering no details as to his role in the group.

“Good. I expect results.” Hudson stood. “Funds will be wired to your specified accounts by the end of the day and Max has full authority to approve any additional expenses.” He checked the Patek Philips strapped to his wrist. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another meeting.”

Chapter Nine

The significance of the location Harper had picked was completely lost on Allie. She was so consumed with thoughts of Hudson and Julian and drug dealers and hit men and private military ops that she didn’t make the connection. Not when she read Harper’s text, not as she jogged through Lincoln Park, and not as she stood waiting on the corner of Division and Clark. It wasn’t until they were standing in line that she realized they weren’t meeting at just any Starbucks. They were meeting for coffee at the location where Nick Chase worked as the shop’s newest barista.

Allie watched him, juggling orders at rapid speed while charming the female customers, and she couldn’t help but smile. For as different as they were, there was still so much about Nick that reminded her of his brother. The same jawline and nose, the same dark, unruly hair, though Nick wore his much longer, and the same confident stride. Their eyes were the most notable exception; Hudson’s being a clear blue while Nick’s were a deep brown. But despite the difference in color, both men expressed themselves clearly with a single glance, and at the moment Nick’s eyes were telling Allie all she needed to know about his feelings for her best friend.

He did a double take when he caught sight of Allie, but instead of flashing his trademark grin, his gaze immediately shifted, searching the crowd to her right and left until he found what he was looking for. Or rather who he was looking for. He locked eyes with Harper and a shy smile curved his lips. When Allie turned to her best friend, she discovered a similarly ridiculous grin had spread across her face. And had the cold air outside turned her cheeks a warm pink or was Harper actually blushing?

Oh, how the tables have turned.

“Is that Nick?” she asked.

Harper squinted and leaned to her left. “Is it?”

Enjoying their little game too much to end it just yet, Allie decided to play along. “I think so. Didn’t he mention something on Christmas Eve about working here?”

“Did he?” Harper chewed on her lip. “You know, I think you’re right.”

Allie fought the urge to roll her eyes as they stepped up to the cashier. She placed her order first, then stood back to take in the scene unfolding in front of her, watching in fascination as Nick tried his best to play it cool, feigning total focus on the espresso maker as it hissed and squealed while stealing glances in Harper’s direction.

“Hi, Nick,” Allie finally said.

“Hey, Allie.” There wasn’t a hint of surprise in his voice or expression. Clearly he’d been expecting them. “Out for a run?”

“Just finished.”

“Grande caramel macchiato,” he called out to the waiting crowd before setting the beverage on the raised counter.

“Looks like you’re quite the pro.”

“I’m getting the hang of it.” Nick reached for the cup marked with Allie’s name and flipped it in the air. “But we’ll see if I can stand up to the ultimate test,” he said, catching the cup with one hand. He read the detailed drink specifications scribbled along the side of the cup and took a deep breath. “Here goes.” He set the cup down, then proceeded to crack his knuckles as part of a dramatic preparation.

This time Allie did roll her eyes. “I’m not that bad.”

Harper appeared by her side, tucking her wallet back into her purse. “Don’t even bother. We both know you too well.”

Nick looked up at the sound of Harper’s voice. “Hey,” he said. They stared at each other for a long beat until the milk Nick was steaming overflowed from the stainless steel pitcher he held in his hand. “Shit,” he said, jumping back as froth splattered all over his green apron.

Allie covered her mouth to hide her laugh, and for about the hundredth time that day found herself wishing Hudson was by her side. Although for Nick’s sake it was probably a good thing he wasn’t. The teasing would have no doubt been swift and relentless. “I’ll grab a table,” she said, leaving the two of them alone at the counter. When Harper joined her a few minutes later, she acted as though nothing was amiss.

“Have you recovered from the jet lag?” she asked, as if everything were perfectly normal and she hadn’t just outed the relationship she’d categorically denied. “I guess that’s one good thing about a twenty-four-hour trip to Europe,” she added, handing Allie her skinny vanilla latte. “My body never had time to adjust.”

“Are we going to pretend like that didn’t just happen?”

“What?”

“Oh please. To quote one of your favorite expressions, ‘I saw the way you two were eye-fucking each other.’”

Harper sputtered into her chai latte, then stole a glance over her shoulder at Nick. He winked and held up a finger to indicate he’d be one more minute.

“So the guy you’re not dating is joining us?”

“He has a break in a few minutes,” she mumbled into her cup.

Allie gave her a self-satisfied smile. “And you just happen to know this how?”

“Fine,” Harper said. “We may have been hanging out a bit over the holidays. But everyone else I know was out of town, and Nick’s trying to keep his distance from—”

“Stop. I think it’s great the two of you are . . . hanging out,” Allie said, parroting Harper’s words. “What I don’t understand is why you keep denying there’s more to it. Anyone can see the attraction between the two of you.”

Harper’s face split into a wide grin. “Really?”

“Yes.” Allie smiled back at her friend. Despite the chaos in her life, at least one person she cared about was genuinely happy. Focusing on that was exactly what Allie needed. “Now tell me what’s been going on with the two of you since Christmas Eve.”

“I don’t know, really. I certainly wasn’t looking for anything when I showed up on your doorstep like a human icicle.” Harper cupped her tea between her hands and rested her elbows on the table. “We just sort of clicked that night.”