Page 54 of Cast in Shadow
"I don’t like this.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. But I’m asking you to trust me. Please.”
It was the third time she’d made that request since they’d arrived, and hopefully, it would be the last. There was only so much blind faith she could ask of him.
He studied her face, looking deep into her eyes, then nodded reluctantly.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Aggie left an unhappy-looking Zeke with Sean and followed Nix into the spacious living quarters above the garage.
“All right, first things first,” Nix said. “Who’s the stud?”
“His name’s Zeke. He’s helping me out with something.”
Nix’s eyebrow rose again. “I thought you worked alone.”
“I do, usually, but I made an exception in this case. I mean, look at him. Pretty hot, right?” Aggie grinned mischievously.
“He is,” Nix agreed. “But he’s got badass written all over him.”
“Like your husband doesn’t.”
“Fair point.” Nix’s eyes widened. “Wait. This is about more than a mission, isn’t it? You really like this guy.”
Aggie shrugged. “He’s got skills.”
“Skills, huh? So ... you’re not that into him?”
“Fine! Just the opposite, okay? I’m too into him. The only time I feel whole is when I’m with him. That’s crazy, right? I mean, I’ve only known him for a short while and what we have ... it’s so intense. So powerful. So ...” Aggie clamped her lips together, shocked by her sudden and uncharacteristic bout of word vomit, but damn it, Nix was the closest thing to a friend she had.
“Unsustainable?” Nix finished.
“Yes! Exactly.”
Nix’s lips curled. “Maybe he’s your croie.”
“My what?”
“Your soul mate. Your perfect match.”
Aggie started shaking her head, but Nix wasn’t finished. “I know. It seems impossible, but everything you described sounds exactly like the way I felt when I met Sean. And let me tell you, if he is your croie, then that connection you’re feeling will not only endure, but it’ll grow even stronger over time.”
“I’m not sure I can handle anything stronger,” Aggie admitted.
“You can handle a lot more than you think you can, especially when you don’t have to do it alone. Now, tell me what you need.”
Aggie gave her a brief rundown of the Parryville situation as well as what she hoped to accomplish.
“A live, detailed satellite feed. That’s all you want?”
“For now.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. It might take a bit to get it into optimal position though.”
“How much time?”
“Depends. A satellite can orbit the earth in ninety minutes, but it might be otherwise engaged. I’d say no more than twenty-four hours on the outside.”
