Elisa's chest would beat harder whenever she thought about the kiss. She locked the door of her bedroom behind her, then pressed her fingers against her lips, the phantom heat of Ethan's mouth lingering like a brand. She shook her head violently, forcing the dizzying haze of his touch out of her mind.
Focus, she commanded herself, dragging a hand down her face. He's playing a game. You're playing a game. Do not let your guard down.
Her phone buzzed in her lap, breaking the oppressive silence of the room. It wasn't her primary device, nor was it the encrypted burner she used for X. It was the heavily modified, blue-lit satellite phone she had used to dial SK.
An incoming video file and a massive, encrypted text archive were transferring directly onto her screen. A single text from SK followed:
"All known information. Eyes and ears. Do not reply. Key active for 10 minutes."
