Page 12 of Redemption

“Jared said we’re going to wait her out.”

Ryder nodded. “Yup.”

“He knows something about her that we don’t?”

“Guess so.”

“Locke said she was in beast mode with the PSM pistol on Mikhailov.”

He nodded again. “She knows her way around a weapon. That’s for sure.”

“Well, she’s not CIA, or any of those farm boys would have grabbed their girl, or Nicola or Beth would have slipped by to take her away.”

“They haven’t stopped by once.”

“Not government at all?”

“I don’t think so.”

“If Boss Man and Brock want to wait this one out, they must have their reasons to keep it in-house.”

Yeah.Him. Special request. “You don’t mind?”

Winters chuckled. “Does Mia mind having someone she can dote on? No.”

“Hey, listen.”

“Yeah?”

“She’s a good one, that girl.”

Winters nodded. “I get it. Heard about everything she did over there.”

Ryder looked at the wall on the other side where she was sleeping and ran his hand over his jaw. “She…” Felt familiar in a way he couldn’t place his finger on.

“I get it. Some of these jobs, man? They’re gut punches.”

“Yeah—” His cell phone chirped, and he slid it from his pocket.

BROCK: Need your help on a Titan job. Haul ass to HQ.

“Well, shit. I gotta run,” Ryder grumbled, not wanting to leave without telling Victoria bye, and having no idea where or how long he’d be gone. By the time he surfaced, she could be long gone too. Though, he reminded himself that would be a good thing—back to her real life. That was the point of what Delta did. “Let me introduce you two before I jet.”

Winters agreed, following him into the living room.

Victoria had cocooned herself again, walling away the world with blankets and pillows, and Ryder squatted in front of her. “Hey, sweetheart.”

Her eyes fluttered before focusing. Those poor eyes. She kept sleeping, and she never looked as though she’d rested.

“Colby Winters is here, and it’s time to get up,” he said.

Slowly, Victoria sat up, and Ryder joined her on the couch as Winters walked over, grabbing the chair and taking a seat. Both men were on her level, and that seemed best. Winters extended his hand, and after a groggy moment, Victoria did too. They exchanged hellos, and being the great guy he was, Winters had her almost smiling a few minutes later.

Ryder should feel better than he did. But damn it, he didn’t want to leave her side. He couldn’t tell her he had a job. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at it.

BROCK: ETA?

Shit.Ryder had to run. Winters gave him a knowing glance. There weren’t too many people who would be blowing up a Delta cell phone.

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