The Sway Read Online Free PDF Page A

about as much heads-up I could the agency if they felt the need to tail me. I slipped off my five-inch heels and avoided the urge to rub my feet. Those shoes hurt, but any New Yorker wouldn't even know the difference.
    I opened my lavishly appointed closet and grabbed a pair of combat boots and socks, slipped on leggings, and threw on a hoodie followed by a leather coat. I walked out to find Cole sitting on my bed, smiling like the cat that ate the canary. I hadn’t closed the closet door as I changed. Had never needed to in the past. Dumb.
    â€œDid you just see me?” I began as Cole started nodding with far too much enthusiasm. “You know that isn’t the gentleman's way of handling things. You should’ve waited outside my room.”
    I raised my eyebrows at him.
    He held up his hands.
    â€œI never claimed to be a gentleman,” he said with a wink.
    I rolled my eyes with so much exaggeration it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck in the back of my head.
    â€œHead out of the gutter, Thomas. Let's go,” I said, shaking my head.
    Cole pushed off the bed and followed me out of the apartment.
    â€œI want to run up to my place, change clothes and stuff,” he said as he reached for my hand, like that was something completely normal.
    I nodded. We were already out in the hall when he made the statement, so I didn't know if comms had heard it or not. I didn't need them busting in his door. I twisted my stud diamond earring in my ear and clicked on my practically invisible earpiece.
    â€œAll right. I'm excited to see how much better your apartment is than mine.”
    My attempt to get the message across to the agency that I was going up a few flights, instead of down on the elevator. My earpiece clicked.
    â€œ We hear you. Going up to lover boy’s, got it. ”
    I cringed and switched off the piece. If Cole's dad was as paranoid as the agency made him out to be, he no doubt had some sort of device that detected bugs, and I wasn't going to get caught with mine on. Cole turned back to me and shook his head. He pulled out his wallet and fished out a black key card that gave him access to his penthouse.
    The elevator opened directly into a stunning marble foyer that had to have thirty-foot ceilings. The chandelier hanging in the entry sparkled like the diamonds in the Tiffany and Co. windows on 5th Avenue. I let out a breath and Cole draped his arm lazily over my shoulders.
    â€œCome on. My room is on the second floor.”
    This place was huge. The floor plan the government had on file wasn't nearly as detailed as it should have been. If I had ever been sent here, I would have been screwed. I made a mental note to add everything I saw to the schematics in my safe. I stopped when we passed through two double doors and into the great room.
    â€œWow. This is stunning.”
    No fake emotion here. At least the agency wasn't here to monitor my reaction. Cole laughed and pulled me along. It was what he saw every day and my view was good, but a lot more of the city could be seen from up here. The claustrophobic feeling I got on the streets from time to time existed a world apart from this penthouse suite. Or maybe it had to do with the idea that I wasn't being watched right now. My head was still over my shoulder taking in the view when Cole came to a sudden stop.
    â€œI didn't know you were in town, sir.”
    He slid his arm off my shoulder, and I didn’t exactly love the cold that crept up in its absence. I looked up into the empty green eyes of what appeared to be Cole plus forty years. Hank Thomas. His lips were pressed into a firm line; he trusted no one, apparent by the way he held his body and the intimidation he was used to commanding. He held out his hand. I reached to shake it, and he gripped my fingers uncomfortably tight.
    â€œHank Thomas,” he said coolly. “You are the girl that lives on the thirtieth floor, if I'm not mistaken. I still have yet to meet