Chapter 16

Ethan left the office, letting the door swing shut behind him as he strode on down the hall, a barely subvocalized smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Dinner tonight huh? His mind whirled noiselessly. But he'd be stupid- no, beyond stupid to let his defenses down just because he finally saw a small chink in Rafael's armor.

The invitation itself had been a surprise if not suspicious. But Ethan was not the man to refuse a challenge, at least under such high stakes.

And it tugged at something deep within—one part anticipation, another unease: dinner with Rafael and Bernice. Actually, he had been playing a very long game, one of diligent tactics working toward weaving his own threads that finally were to bring Bernice down and put him in with Rafael.

This night could be the turning point, but only if he played his cards right.

He left the building, heading for his car, as anticipations of the night overwhelmed the weariness from making inroads in the thinking process.

As he drov