A flicker of surprise widened my eyes.
“Why did you leave?” Grant inquired, easing a hand onto my thigh.
“Honestly? Too much red tape and too many senseless deaths that could’ve been prevented. When you’ve witnessed the things I’ve seen, you start questioning who we’re really protecting.”
“That must’ve been difficult,” Grant acknowledged.
Mr. Stone nodded, rubbing his palms against his thighs.
“It was a reckoning, but I’m thankful that I’ve landed with Sentinel, where we pride ourselves in protecting everyone, no matter their status or connections.”
“Obviously, you’re proficient in intelligence. Do you have any other specific areas of expertise?”
“Threat neutralization,” he answered firmly.
Grant smirked and relaxed against the couch, but my posture remained rigid.
“You look relieved, Mr. Baker.”
“Our previous candidate turned us down. He said he didn’t want us to use his team as personal hitmen.”
Mr. Stone chuckled. “You must’ve interviewed Graham Preston.”
My brows knitted skeptically. “We did. How did you know?”
“I’m familiar with Mr. Preston. He’s strictly by the book, almost embarrassingly so. Sometimes in this business, you have to get your hands dirty. I’m sorry it didn’t pan out for you, but between you and me, it’s for the best.”
“What do you mean by that?” I asked.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—please forget I said anything,” Mr. Stone said quickly.
“That’s easier said than done,” Grant commented, still waiting on an explanation.
“It’s nothing, really. There was an incident that happened years back when Mr. Preston suffered a mental health episode that was induced by medication used to treat PTSD. It made him susceptible to sleepwalking, and he thought he had killed his girlfriend by throwing her off the balcony, and that some winged demon flew up and saved her.”
“Did he?” I questioned.
“No, thank God. She’d been on a morning jog.”
“That’s pretty serious. How do you know about that?” Grant questioned.
Mr. Stone smiled again—a practiced smile that teetered on deception and falsehoods.
“Sometimes, our circles overlap. I’m thankful that the drug was taken off the market. After a thorough investigation, it was discovered that the pharmaceutical company was aware of the risks and falsified its data. It wouldn’t have ever hit the market with the true data.”
Grant sucked his teeth, and a chuckle escaped me. He side-eyed me with a frown. I coughed to cover up the laughter, and eventually composed myself. Mr. Stone raised a brow.
“I’m sorry. I seem to be missing something,” he said.
“I’m sure there was a hefty lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company. My husband is upset he didn’t have the opportunity to sink his claws in,” I replied, nearly purring. I took no delight in my husband’s pain and misfortune, but despite his outwardly calm demeanor, I knew he was flipping conference tables in his head.
“I’d be upset too if I missed out on a $2 billion class-action lawsuit.”
“Two—I need a drink.”
“No, you don’t,” I said, grounding him with my hand on his thigh.
“Kiyah…that would’ve been an $800 million payout for the firm.”