Page 37 of Silent Comrade
“They must know who I am and where I live.”A pulse jumped at the base of her bruised neck as she glancedaround the living room, eyes wide.
“Thus the recommendation to go to a safehouse and drop out of school.”
“Not happening.”
“Then you’re as safe as we can make youright now.” God, he needed that to be true. He also needed to checkevery window and security camera for the millionth time.
“I know an informed decision when I seeone,” she said.
“True.” She needed to have the chance toparticipate in the mission for her own safety.
The half a minute she didn’t say anythingalmost killed him. She tapped her chin. “Your granny?”
“A cover story.”
“So you lied.” After he nodded, she said,“Fashion student?”
He motioned to himself. No hip beanie. Noglasses. Plain black t-shirt instead of a more cultivated patternedshirt. “What do you think?”
A silver hoop winked as her eyebrow lifted.“You’re not the worst fashion student I’ve seen.”
“Not the best?”
“Well…” She ran her fingers through the endsof her short blue and brown hair.
The barked laugh that erupted from Redshocked him. Even in these crazy times, at constant risk ofexposure and recapture, with her life on the line, Britt made himchuckle. Her giggle in response bubbled through him, lifting theheaviness that had been weighing him down for the past days. If shebelieved him, then maybe he could still do his job.
Her laugh tickled the air around him. “Thiswhole mess is ridiculous,” she said after catching her breath.“It’s not funny. It isn’t. It’s terrifying”
“I know.”
“How are you involved, exactly? Didn’t catchthat part.”
Stall. Think.“Is your roommatecoming home tonight?”
“No. I texted Tachi a little while ago thatI had someone staying. Seemed like the best idea for now. Her shiftends super late, and she will crash with one of her friends.”
Why did it bother him that they had a systemfor sleepovers? It shouldn’t. Adults all around here.
“So? Your involvement?” she asked again,pursing her lips. When she wanted answers, this woman was like adog clamped onto a delicious bone.
Resting an arm on the back of the love seat,he brushed one finger over the skin at the side of her upper arm.As if maintaining contact somehow made his job easier. As if theconnection would settle his virus down. Amazingly, he releasedanother big breath and relaxed into the cushions.
Her presence did calm him. Considering herflitting, frenetic pixiness, that revelation was a shocker.
“Well?” she said.
As long as he didn’t out the Morpheus Squad,his mission wouldn’t be a total disaster. “The part about beingex-military. That was completely true. I’m now part of a privatecontracting group that handles security in situations likethis.”
“Situations where the police should havebeen called, oh, weeks ago?”
“It’s more complex than you realize.”
“How did your group know about Brady?”
“It’s our business to help veterans.Covertly.”
“That’s a vague and dissatisfyinganswer.”
