“Rue’s leading an expedition to the Thwaites Research Station.” Elliot kept his voice neutral. “Word is Praetorian’s showing interest in whatever is going on there, so I’m going to make sure she doesn’t end up in their crosshairs.“
Griffin leaned forward, his expression shifting from amusement to something sharper. “So Davey’s sending you to babysit.”
“I volunteered.”
“Of course you did.” Griffin snorted. “And this has nothing to do with your thing for the little Bristow sister.”
Elliot fixed him with a flat stare. “I don’t have a thing for Rue.”
“Right.” Griffin’s smile turned almost predatory. “You hate the cold.”
“I don’t hate the cold.”
“You wore a thermal jacket to that Rangers game in October.”
“That’s just common sense. Most people don’t sit in a freezing ice rink in a T-shirt.”
Griffin grunted and kicked his feet up on the corner of Elliot’s desk. “So, any idea what Praetorian’s after?”
“Not yet.” Elliot tapped his tablet, sending the mission brief to Griffin’s secure WSW email account. “But whatever it is,they’re sinking a massive amount of money into the project and Atlas Frost is holding the purse strings.”
“Shit.” Griffin grabbed his phone as it signaled and scrolled through the brief on his phone. “So what’s my role in this frozen adventure?”
“You’re our extraction plan. If things go sideways, you’ll be on standby in Punta Arenas, Chile, to fly us out.”
“Sounds like a vacation. I’ll be hitting the slopes and getting lucky with some Chilean snow bunnies while you’re freezing your ass off.”
“You know it’s summer there, right?”
“Okay, so I’ll sunbathe with some Chilean beach bunnies.” Griffin’s smirk faded as he continued reading. “Wait—you’re going as her fiancé?”
Heat crept up Elliot’s neck. “It’s a cover.”
“A cover.” Griffin’s lips twitched. “Right.”
“The engagement gives us a reason to be together at all times without raising suspicion. Especially since Frost knows who I am.“
“Genius,” Griffin said, not bothering to hide his amusement. “And completely necessary, I’m sure.”
Elliot ignored the jab. “Davey approved it.”
“Davey’s been distracted lately.” Griffin’s expression darkened. “Ever since he tossed Cade out on his ass.”
The shift in conversation gave Elliot whiplash. “Cade wasn’t tossed out. He quit.”
“After Davey accused him of betraying the family.” Griffin’s voice hardened. “For what? Doing his job? Because Rowan couldn’t handle?—”
“Careful,” Elliot warned.
Griffin leaned forward, jaw tight. “Cade’s family. Rowan is just the woman Davey’s currently fuck?—”
“Be careful what you say next, Griff.” Elliot’s voice dropped low, all traces of exhaustion gone. “That’s my future sister-in-law.”
Griffin blinked, genuine surprise flashing across his face. “They’re engaged?”
“As of last week.”
“Well, shit.” Griffin exhaled slowly, the anger in his posture not quite dissipating but shifting into something more contained. “No one thought to mention that to me?”
