Page 59 of Resolution

I wasn’t sure it was ever going to be okay.

Chapter Fourteen

MIGUEL

I had another headache. I needed fresh air and I wasn’t going to get it inside the lobby of the Federal Building. Raven protested but I walked with him outside anyway. We stood in the shadow of the building, sticking close to the wall as I took in a great gulp of air. I wasn’t feeling good. As delicious as the Chinese food had been, it wasn’t sitting well. I found myself trying hard not to throw it all up again. Bending down, I put both hands on my knees, feeling my head spin. I needed to lie down. Raven’s hand rubbed soothing circles between my shoulder blades. I straightened up shakily. My lover’s eyes were haunted as he stared at me, biting his lip.

“You’re not well, Miguel. You need to lie down and you sure as hell don’t need this stress. You’re not fully recovered.”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He pulled his phone from his back pocket and tapped the Uber app. I quickly grabbed his wrist, then reached for his phone with the other hand. When he gave me a questioning look, I shook my head. “Did you forget we’re in protective custody? We shouldn’t even be outside the building.” I whirled as I heard footsteps coming up behind us. Lincoln, Mac, Cassidy, and Mike were right there. Cassidy and Mike looked totally annoyed.

“I forgot for a minute that you don’t listen,” Cassidy muttered. “Come on, let’s get you back inside the building.”

I nodded, putting my arm around Raven and followed the others back into the lobby. Lincoln and Mac badged us inside. We went through security and were starting to walk toward the elevators when Lincoln took hold of my sleeve, bringing me to a stop. Raven was right beside me, slipping his hand into mine.

“Let’s talk a second,” he said.

“What is it now, Lincoln?” Raven asked, sounding really frustrated. “I thought you, of all people, were our friend. Can’t you see how sick he is?”

Lincoln frowned, staring at Raven with what had to be sympathy. “I am worried.” He glanced at me. “How bad is the head?”

“To be honest, I feel like I should be sleeping for a damned year, Lincoln. The headache is back with a vengeance. I don’t understand it. I felt so good this morning when I got up.”

“Probably residual concussion stuff,” Mac said, pointing to his own noggin. “I got one so bad once, it laid me low for a week. It totally kicked my ass which surprised me too. You never know about these things until you get a really bad one.”

I assessed the big former Green Beret. It was hard to believe anything could kick the man’s ass. I would have put money on Mac McCallahan being near indestructible when he was an operator. He looked like every Hollywood stereotype of a Green Beret, tall, immovable, impenetrable, crew cut and all.

I simply nodded before looking back at Lincoln. “I can’t do what she wants, Snow. Even if Raven wasn’t here…and you guys...all sticking up for me, I just don’t have it in me. I spent years in the Special Forces, went on more Recon missions than I can tell you, but I’ve never felt so physically not up to what they’re asking me to do.”

“We know, Miguel,” Lincoln said. He squeezed my shoulder. “We all know it would take a man at 100 percent to commit to something like what the DEA is suggesting, and we also know you’re farfarbelow that right now. You’d have to be at full mental and physical capability for this and you’re clearly not.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry, Lincoln. I feel for Willis and especially for Tawny, Brian Leopard, and even Aston, if he’s innocent, but I just can’t right now. And to be truthful, I think anyone who agreed to that should have their head examined. SAC Bannister admitted they don’t even have a plan.”

“So, now you understand why we don’t work well with the DEA,” Mac grumbled.

Lincoln let his hand slip from my shoulder. “Like I said, Cass, Mike, Mac, and I argued against it. We need to find a way to draw Castillo out of the house, and to bring the others with him. That was plan B, but you never let her get to it after—” he flicked a glance at Raven before smiling, “your bulldog went after her.”

“Which was kinda hot,” Cassidy said, smirking.

I grinned. I couldn’t help it. “Okay, let’s go back and listen to plan B.” I checked with Raven. “You good with listening? You can’t do what you did. We’re talking…that’s it.”

“Yes,” he said. “I’m sorry.” He smiled shyly at me, taking my hand in his. When he lifted it to his lips and kissed my knuckles, my knees felt weak.

“You got any of those fucking painkillers with you?”

“Yes.” We walked to the elevators as he dug for them in his pockets.

Upstairs, Raven went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, and I downed the pills as we retook our seats. I noticed Damon was sitting alone in the conference room with the door closed, phone pressed to his ear. No one else had moved and Bannister was now sitting, scrolling through her phone looking completely bored by our return to the bullpen. I focused my attention on Lincoln’s boss, SAC Bradley, when he cleared his throat. Bannister stood facing us, finally giving us her attention, as she pocketed her phone.

“Okay, plan B,” Bradley said. “We need to get Castillo and Willis out of the house.”

“We need to getallof the possible hostages out of the house, SAC,” Lincoln said.

“Of course,” Bradley agreed, “that goes without saying.” He glanced back at us. “What are your thoughts, Raven?”

“I actually wanted to hear what my partner had to say.” I turned to him.

---