Free Reclaim Me by Ann Marie Walker, Amy K. Rogers Page B

the neighbors.” Max slid the manila envelopes across the glossy mahogany one at a time. Ivan slapped his palm down on top of the thick packet to bring it to a stop, then Jim and Jessica followed suit. “You will also find the full work-up of the subject, including the addresses of numerous properties, the various holdings in his family’s trust, and a few of the more mundane facts as well: what he smokes, what he drinks, and his, ah . . .” Max cleared his throat. “Preferences.”
    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,