Page 74 of Resolution

“Yeah, but it don’t take a genius to see how irritated you got when Sorensen had his mitts all over your man,” Max drawled.

“No, really, I wasn’t irritated,” I protested.

“Yeah, you were, but that’s okay,” Leo said, smiling. “Miguel’s focus was on you all throughout the planning.”

That was alarming. “He wasn’t paying attention to what’s supposed to happen?”

“No, he was,” Leo hedged, “but I noticed him sneaking glances in your direction every time he got the chance, that’s all.”

Miguel came back. “Okay, let’s talk,” he said and turned to the others. “I’ll see you guys in a minute.”

“Take your time, Huerta,” Max said.

I reached out my hand, shaking both of theirs. “Please be careful out there, guys…please.”

“You betcha,” Max said before walking away with Leo at his side.

We walked back to where I’d been sitting close to the wall. All around us, men were pulling on vests and body armor, checking weapons, some of them holding handguns, most of them equipped with lethal Bureau-issued automatic rifles. I really hoped Miguel would be taking one of those into that compound with him. As long as I was going to have to sit here and pray for his safety, I didn’t want to imagine what could happen to him if he wasn’t armed properly.

“I suppose you want to know what my role in this is gonna be, right?”

“Yes. I can’t tell you how frustrating and terrifying it is to be sitting this one out,” I admitted. I laid a hand on his arm, staring into his beautiful eyes. “Since this whole thing began, we’ve been inseparable, Miguel. And even though I know this breach is something you’ve done a hundred times before, it’s been more than a decade since you were on a team and you’re unwell. I can’t help but feel nervous.”

He nodded, giving me a serious look. “And I need you not to be. I know you’re scared, Raven, but I need you right here where I know you’ll be safe. I’m feeling better after the painkillers and the sleep out here. I’ll be going in with capable men at my side and at my back. They’ve all done this a million times before. But I promise to be careful. I’ll be surrounded by a lot of good men who know their jobs, the most important of those being to keep each other safe.”

“Are you…will you be…I don’t know what I want to ask.” I wanted to beg him not to go but I knew it wouldn’t only be embarrassing for him, but it would be wrong. He was a Recon Marine, a fierce warrior, and he was right. He’d done this kind of thing throughout his career and each time, he’d come out of it okay. I had to trust him and make him know it. Telling a Marine you didn’t have complete faith in him was dangerous. He had to feel invincible, and I couldn’t letmyfears cripple him and how he reacted when the time came.

“We’re going in there with a partner. Sorensen is mine. You’ve seen the man, right? He’s strong as an ox, has been on a couple of hundred missions as a Green Beret, and if you haven’t noticed, he’s capable of watching my back. He won’t leave me behind, Raven. Of that, there shouldn’t be any doubt.”

I nodded vigorously. “So, what does he want to talk to you about? He said he was going to call.”

Miguel sighed, looking directly into my eyes. “He said his team is down a man and he wanted to know if I’d be interested. He wants to talk to his SAC about adding me to the team.”

“What?”

Miguel shook his head, reaching out to grab my bicep. “Don’t worry. I already told him I have no interest in that. For one thing, they’re based out of Houston, they’re FBI, and I’m committed to our business. I told him I haven’t been on a team in almost twelve years, but most importantly, I’m happy with you…right where I am.”

I nodded slowly. “But he’s going to press the matter.”

Miguel frowned. “Are you hearing me, Raven? I said I turned him down. Even if he calls, I’m going to repeat what I already told him. I am thoroughly committed to you and Trackers. I love my life. I love our home. I love Nana. And I love Stanley.” He reached out and took my chin in his hand when I turned away. “I loveyou, Raven and I’m very happy, understand?”

I sighed, feeling a little better. It was nice to know that he was committed to me, but I certainly didn’t want to limit his career prospects if an FBI tac team was a better fit. “I’m happy too, Miguel, but I don’t want you to stick out the opening of Trackers if the job he’s offering fits better.”

He put his hands on my shoulders. “Where’s this coming from,huh? I told you, I’m happy. You’re happy, right?”

I closed the space between us and drew him into my arms. He came willingly. “Of course, I am.”

He surrounded me, hugging me tightly to him. I felt a brief kiss on my hair and then we were separating. He smiled. “Okay, I need to gear up. Come with me?”

I nodded, stepping back. He put his hand in the small of my back and I walked with him over to one of the vehicles where a tac team guy was passing out vests, body armor, and weapons.

“Thank you,” Miguel said as he took a vest marked FBI on the back. He pulled it over his head and I stepped close, helping him adjust the straps as the agent looked on. Once that was done, the man handed him several flash bang grenades. Miguel shoved them deep down into the pockets of his black tac pants. I noticed they were made of some sort of mesh fiber that gleamed. The long-sleeved shirt he wore looked the same. Only then, did I realize he’d put on body armor, probably when I had my head buried in my phone.

After taking three full clips of spare ammo and an FBI windbreaker, he was handed a large automatic weapon and two handguns. Finally, he asked for a knife and strapped it onto his belt before adding night vision goggles as well as a set of military-grade earwigs to everything else.

I asked for a set of earwigs and the agent handed them over without question.

“Thanks,” Miguel said, nodding to the man. We walked over to the group of agents gathered at the tables where the maps had been laid out. Mike and Cassidy stood there and I smiled, knowing that even though Cass would be going along with Miguel as part of the team, at least I’d have Mike by my side throughout the ordeal. Sorensen looked up from the large laptop he was working on. He nodded to both of us and then turned to a female agent.

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