Page 61 of Broken Trust
“Elin—”
She held his gaze, willing him to understand. “If we don’t move, if we let this opportunity slip because we’re scared? Thousands of people, Liam. Families. Kids.Dogs.We can’t just let that happen because there’s risk.”
“You’re asking me to stand by while you walk into an ambush.” His tone sounded like he’d swallowed fire.
“I’m not asking anything.” Her statement came out sharper than she intended. She spread her hand. “I’m sorry, Liam, but this is my call. You know I’ve done it before.”
“And look how that nearly ended. If you hadn’t been late—” He cut a hand through his hair, sending it into spikes that matched his glower. “I don’t know if I could have protected you from that ambush, Elin.”
“I take full responsibility for myself. You heard Con already sanctioned a team to go as backup.”
Something flashed in his eyes—hurt, anger, frustration. She wanted to smooth that crease above his brow, but if she touched him, she didn’t trust herself to stop.
Before she could find any words, he spoke again.
“You want to walk into a trap? Fine. But I’m going in with you.” He didn’t shift his gaze from her when he addressed his CO. “Con? I’m going with her.”
Elin could feel everyone’s eyes on them, but all she could focus on was Liam and the fierce—extremely hot—protectiveness radiating from him.
Truth was, she wanted him there. Wanted to know that if this went bad—whenthis went bad—she wouldn’t be alone.
She loved him—so completely it had devastated her once.
She also didn’t have it in her to fight the emotions that had never faded, not even after she received that folded flag. That didn’t mean she ever had to say them aloud, to him or anyone else. Her love for Liam was strong, but she wasn’t going to spill her guts only to have her heart stomped on again.
They all watched Con, waiting for his response. “We can’t access Kent’s computer system remotely?”
Elin shook her head. “I have to do it on site. And I have to meet him in person to find out what’s in his head.”
His lips compressed, then he nodded. “We need to put the pressure on this guy.”
“I can make him sing.” Liam’s gritty, badass tone sent goose bumps prickling over Elin’s forearms.
“Here’s the plan.” Con’s body language demanded their complete attention. Elin straightened. “You set up the meeting after hours and away from the Pentagon. But we get you into his office before the meet. You download everything.”
“Then we’ll have more leverage to get what we want out of him,” Liam added.
She nodded with a gulp. She could do this. Now wasn’t the time for fear.
“We move tomorrow,” Con said. “Dante, I want full background on Kent. Every place he’s ever been, every person he’s ever met. Find a good location for the meet. Sophie”—he turned to her—“you work on the tech side. I need any surveillance we can access near potential meeting sites. Elin, Mason, start running scenarios. I want options for every possible situation.”
They nodded, their differences—their past, and present too—slipping into the shadows of professionalism again.
As everyone disbanded to focus on their tasks, Elin began to move too. Liam caught her arm, his touch gentle but insistent.
“We need to talk.” He pitched his voice low. “After this. About everything, Elin.”
Her heart stuttered. “Liam—”
He broke across her. “I know you’re pissed at me. I know I fucked up this morning. But after tomorrow—” His voice dropped lower, rougher. “After the op, we talk.Reallytalk. No more avoiding it.”
She didn’t dare let herself hope they could bridge the bottomless gorge created by his leaving that way.
She had to work with him, though. And that had her nodding in agreement. “After tomorrow.”
If they survived.
He held her gaze for a long moment, then released her arm and walked away.
