Page 104 of Lethal Deceit

“Tension was maxed out, sweetheart. Next time, don’t make it so hard to save you.”

Brooke sighs and turns away, shutting the door on the conversation—maybe for good.

I shift, about to thank her for the risk she took—for the prayer, the singing—but movement beside me steals the moment. Mick is awake. He laces his fingers through mine, and I notice the bruises and torn skin across his knuckles—proof of the punishment he doled out on Hamza.

“The FBI wants to talk to you about the memory card,” he says quietly. “You think you’re up to that?”

My throat’s still raw, but I manage a swallow. “Where are you going to be?”

He leans in, his voice warm and steady. “Right beside you.”

“We all will be,” Caleb adds. “Silas isn’t going to leave you hanging in the breeze.”

I turn and find Caleb watching me. He dips his head and tips an invisible hat.

Brooke leans forward and waves dramatically, a grin tugging at her mouth. “The FBI’s probably going to offer you a huge reward. Maybe even a full pardon. You’re a bona fide heroine.”

I can’t return her smile. I drop my gaze to my fingers wrapped in Mick’s. Tears gather, blurring my vision as I shake my head. “I don’t want anything the government can give me.”

Mick leans closer, his lips brushing my ear. “Then what do you want as a reward?”

I turn, my chest tight, emotions tangled. It takes a moment to find the words. “Redemption,” I whisper.

Mick

The wheels touch down, and I have little time to consider whether I’ve made another promise I can’t keep. My concerns are dispelled as we exit the small jet Reese was piloting with Verity as his copilot.

Verity flashes me a smile as Adena offers to help Samantha off the plane. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

I chuckle and extend my hand to Reese as he leaves the cockpit. “Nice to fly with you again, Captain.”

Reese pumps my hand as he fights a smile. “Weren’t you supposed to be keeping a low profile?”

I wince as Caleb slaps a hand on my back. “Dundee was too busy fighting gators in the swamp,” he says.

Behind me, Brooke snorts. “Dundee?”

Caleb grins, way too pleased with himself. “Crocodile Dundee.”

I shake my head. “That movie’s older than half your crew.”

His grin widens. “Yeah, I know. Axel’s stuck in the eighties. Guess it’s rubbing off.”

My gaze flicks from him to Brooke, then to Reese and Verity. “Aren’t we keeping the FBI waiting?” I ask Caleb, trying to steer us back to the point.

He shrugs his massive shoulders. “Delilah has info, and she wants to share it before she gives anything to the government.”

Brooke casts a look at me and steps closer for a brief moment, her hand brushing my arm. Her eyes search mine—determined, composed, like the rush of danger didn’t faze her one bit. She’s tired, sure, but steady. Maybe too steady. "I’ll go see if Adena needs help. She said a nurse would be waiting."

I nod my thanks and follow her lead, hurrying down the stairs, hoping this won’t take long—I need to get back to Samantha and check in at the base. I hadn’t thought beyond getting her out safely, but thankfully, Silas found my phone. It’s back in my pocket, digging into my thigh. The battery died hours ago, which is probably for the best. I can only imagine how many calls and texts are waiting.

Caleb plugs in a laptop, balancing it on an old oil drum, and boots it up. I lean in. On the screen is a girl in a purple dress with a lace collar, her copper-streaked hair piled into a messy bun under a gaming headset. She takes a long sip from an energy drink. Gotta be the hacker—the one Hightower keeps behind the curtain.

When she notices Caleb, she sits up straighter and waves. “You guys were awesome. I’ve made Zack watch it twice now.”

Caleb frowns but shakes his head as if this is a regular thing for her. “Glad you enjoyed the show, Delilah, but we don’t do this for your entertainment.”

Her face falls, and she fidgets on her seat. “I know. I know. I just... One of these days, I’d like to be out in the action.”

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