“I’m not on Facebook, Dan.”
“You’re not on any social media?” Rebecca asks.
“No, not really conducive with the life of an international fugitive,” I say. It’s my turn to look at her like she’s the crazy one.
“You don’t have any dummy accounts so you can stay connected and shielded?”
“That’s what I have Dan for,” I say.
He rolls his eyes but smiles, too. “I think you should call Robert and ask him what he’s doing.”
“You think he’ll just tell me?”
“His answer will tell us something.”
“Not me, I don’t know enough to pick up nuance.”
“There is not a single communication that happens on this island that isn’t monitored,” Dan says, his voice serious. “Remember what happened?”
“Yes,” I answer. An attack on the island from the inside—blackmailers turned some members of Joyful Justice. Dan missed it because, according to him, he wasn’t being enough of a stalker big brother.
“Robert will know that,” Merl says. “He won’t tell her anything he doesn’t want us to hear.”
“I know,” Dan says. “But I’m telling you, he will reveal something.”
I nod, agreeing. “I told him I wanted to burn it all down,” I say slowly, my thoughts turning. “Do you think he’s…”
“Starting to do it?” Dan asks, his words coming slowly as well.
Holy shit, is Robert doing that thing he does, where he gives me what I want? And then asks for me in exchange…
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Sydney.” Robert answers on the second ring. He says my name as if he expected me to call and is delighted to be so damn right all the damn time.
“Robert,” I say.
I’m alone in the living room of my suite—standing in front of the window, looking out at the ocean. A half moon hangs like a wide grin in the sky, casting its silver glow onto the ocean below.
“How are you?” he asks.
“Fine, I made it to the island.”
“Hello Dan,” Robert says, his voice amused. “I saw Consuela this morning, she’s working with Senator Jackson now. She seemed well.”
“Robert,” I say, my tone warning.
“What?” he asks, feigning innocence.
“You know what.”
“I’m sure he is missing his woman. I am missing my wife.” I pace away from the window and my dogs move with me. “Do you miss me?” he asks, his voice dropping an octave, into something deeper that seems to settle inside of me.
“In a way, yes,” I answer.
“Come home, then.”
“You’re in DC?”
“I am now, but we could meet anywhere you want. We can make any place in the world our home.” He says it so casually, as if he truly is the master of the universe.
“Will you tell me why you’re buying up cryptocurrency?”
His laughter is quiet and intimate in my ear. I pace back to the window. “Of course, over dinner. Where should we meet?”
“You won’t tell me over the phone?”
He tuts softly. “I want it to be a surprise. A wedding gift.”
“Are you…” I take a breath, steadying myself. “Are you burning it down?”
“Sydney, join me in Tokyo. Or we could meet in Bora Bora—anywhere in the world.” Bora Bora isn’t far. “I’ll tell you anything you want, over dinner.”
“Fine,” I answer. Blue’s nose swipes my fingers and I rest my palm on his head. “But I’m not sleeping with you.”
He does the intimate laugh again. “I’ll send you the hotel details. Can you leave tomorrow afternoon?”
