The Monte Carlo Affair: Across A Crowded Room (IATO Series Book 2) by Eliza March, Elizabeth Marchat

Jason had gone out to confirm the drop site tonight, she’d have to do this switch alone with just the team watching her back. Jason was going to be furious when he found out she was going in early.
    * * * *
    When she entered Mosel’s office, a Middle Eastern man stood up to great her. Ah, El Marat had been the man in the taxi by the docks that day. Mosel introduced Emily, and she smiled as if she were clueless.
    The butterflies in her stomach were doing aerial acrobatics as she led the men into the laboratory. She’d practiced the sleight of hand trick for years as a kid, and then again here, recently, until the dealers in the casino were oblivious to her tactic. She could switch out a man’s jockey shorts while he was still wearing them she was so good at this. This was so going to work. She unlocked the vault, and started the show.
    Emily smiled and charmed the men as she worked. Ah, Daddy, this one’s for you.
    Twenty minutes, a few pats on the back, several handshakes, and a hug from Mosel brought the meeting to a close. Her butterflies had settled and the nanochip was concealed on her body where it would stay until she turned it over to Jason tonight.
    “Do you need a ride home?” Mosel had been distant since the accident.
    “No, I have a car picking me up.”
    “DesJardin, again?”
    Emily shook her head. “He saved us, don’t say his name like that.” She turned her smile on Mosel and said, “No, it’s just a driver, waiting.”
    “Emily, thank you for staying out there with me, for keeping me afloat until help came.”
    She walked over to him and hugged him. “What else was I to do? Let you drown? Never.” She smiled up at him and studied his face. No, if I find out you were involved with my father’s death, I want you staring into my eyes when I take you out.
    She cupped his cheek, shaking her head. “I’ll see you tonight.”
    “Tell DesJardin he has my gratitude, but I will still expect a dance with you.” He winked. “I’m not giving up so easily, chérie .”
    * * * *
    Back at her apartment, Emily had time to think about her assignment here while she prepared for the Ball. After weeks of being pursued by the two hottest men she’d ever encountered, she couldn’t believe she was more sexually frustrated than ever and as equally confused about what she wanted. Years of hanging out with nerds had negatively affected her daily routine and her self-image. Until recently, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt like a sexy woman. Now she couldn’t seem to keep men from fawning all over her. What was with those deep, sexy looks old El Marat kept giving her today, anyway? Yeck!
    She’d always kept her ponytail tight to control her unruly hair. Mainly, just keeping it out of her face was a constant challenge. Makeup? Who needed it in the college computer facility? The focus in the computer lab was nanotechnology. The guys only checked out digitized equipment. Stylish clothing was optional. Emily figured her fellow geeks wouldn’t notice if she showed up to work stark naked.
    Immersed completely in the technology, until recently she’d walked the road to geekdom along with her fellow coworkers. For three years, she’d buried herself in it. Work never hurt her. Losing people did.
    She’d put those thoughts aside. Tonight was going to be the last step before the final act in their plan, the one they’d all been working toward. Her sister, Kate, and Jorge, her best friend, were enjoying a European vacation before joining her here in Monte Carlo. It would be good to spend time with the two of them tonight—be with them again after so long. Emily recruited them into visiting while she worked on her project here, so Kate would have an opportunity to take some small part with the outcome of her mission.
    Kate and Jorge maintained a relationship that looked a lot like a blooming romance. What must have caused years of sexual tension had suddenly blossomed into more—she was all too