Page 73 of Resolution

Leo’s jaw dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Nightcrawler is you?” He nudged Max. “Do you remember that review that I read to you the other night?”

Max thought for a few seconds and then grinned. “The Art of Floor?” He looked at me. “You wrote that?” He started laughing. “You have quite the sense of humor there, Raven.”

I grinned, so proud that Miguel wanted to brag about my reviews with the agents. “Thank you.”

“I’m never going to be able to look at you the same way again,” Leo admitted, smiling. He held up his sandwich. “Every time I do, I’m going to think of The Sliders.”

We all chuckled as Candy Sorensen sauntered over. He rested a hand between Miguel’s shoulder blades. I watched him share a look with my man, feeling a little stab of jealousy as he paid him attention. “How do you feel about the plan? You think you’re gonna be able to keep up?” He winked at Miguel. I grew more annoyed the longer his hand lingered but when Miguel shrugged, he finally let it drop.

“I think I can hold my own,” Miguel replied, sounding matter-of-fact about the jab.

“I have no doubt, Recon.”

I felt really out of the loop, and I was sure it showed when Max turned to me. “You gonna be okay sittin’ this one out, Mathis?”

“I hate the idea, but yeah, I guess. I have no training. Hell, I never even used a gun until I met Miguel.”

“You’re good with that weapon now, Sunshine,” Miguel boasted.

I felt my face heat up. Being called by a pet name in the company of these capable professionals, felt wrong, but if that’s what Miguel wanted, I was loathe to object in front of them. “Thank you,” I said, simply. I balled up the paper from my sandwich and looked at my watch. “It’s nearly midnight. What time does everyone have to leave?”

“We’re goin’ in on foot,” Max drawled. “The hike is about two clicks. We’ll have to leave here in an hour or so.”

I nodded as I opened my bag of Fritos.

“You’ll be given an earwig so you can listen in, Raven,” Miguel said. “I really wish you could be there at my side, but you know you can’t.”

I wished he’d stop rubbing it in. I was feeling inadequate in the company of all these capable men, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to show it. “I know.”

“But there will be a live SAT feed which you’ll be able to watch on one of the Bureau’s monitors,” Leo said, pointing to a laptop set up on one of the tables where the maps were.

“That’s good.” I felt relieved to hear that even though I wouldn’t know which of the tiny dots on the screen would be the man I loved.

The five of us stood there finishing our food until Damon came over and joined us. He nodded to everyone and then turned to Candy. “Bannister is looking for you, Sorensen.”

“Be right there.” He turned and looked at Miguel. “Don’t forget what I told you. When this is all over, I’ll be calling.”

Miguel pursed his lips. “We’ll see.”

Candy grunted a reply and then nodded, before slapping him on the back again. My irritation ramped up as he turned to Max and Leo. He stuck out his hand and they both shook. When he turned to Miguel, I watched his eyes roam over my partner’s face. “Make sure you answer when I call.”

Miguel simply nodded and then shook the hand he offered. When Candy turned to me, I reached out a hand. “Be careful out there, Sorensen.”

“Will do.” He gave a short salute and walked away.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked Miguel.

“Sure thing. Let me throw that away first.” He held out his hand and it took me a second to realize he was asking for my trash. I handed it to him and watched him walk to a trash barrel.

“Don’t worry,” Leo said.

I looked at him. “About what?”

“That man loves you unconditionally, Raven. You have nothing to worry about.”

“He really does,” Max added.

“I know.” Abstractly, I knew that, but it bugged me a little to know I’d been telegraphing my feelings to everyone else.

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