Page 17 of Embedded
Her brows pinched as confusion raced across her face. “All right, why?”
“Seriously?” How could she not know?
“Seriously,” she shot back.
I rubbed my face and leaned against the wall behind me. “You used us.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Was everything that happened just a part of your plan?”
She shook her head. “Paul, you need to let me in on the conversation inside your head. You’re only giving me bits and pieces.”
I pushed off the wall and towered over her. “You used that kid for a fucking story!” I boomed and saw Frank look over.
Her chin pulled in, and her eyes widened. “What?”
“Don’t act dumb, Nicole. It’s an ugly look on you.” So much of the frustration I had held down tight to that point raced to the surface. I let loose like an angry bull finally getting a chance to take a run at its rider. “All the signs were there. You always had your camera, filming everything!” I flicked my hand at her. “The first chance you got, you stuck the kid in front of a camera and told the world what happened. I’m sure a raise is coming your way, and I hope it was worth it.”
Whack! She slapped me hard across the face as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“How could you say such a thing?” she hissed. “I was surrounded by Cartel, with no way out, and you,” she jabbed a finger right into my sore shoulder, but the pain didn’t register because of how amped up I was, “told me to use whatever means necessary.” She swiped at her eyes with her sleeve as more tears fell. “I was following your orders. I did my job. I brought that sweet boy back to safety. You have no idea what I went through to do that.”
“Okay, you two,” Frank stepped up with his hands raised, “let’s take a beat.”
“So, you had no other choice but to turn on the camera?” I ignored Frank. “I find that very hard to believe, considering the connections you have. Maybe you should have called your mystery guy. You know, the one who calls out of the blue.”
“What is your problem, Paul?” She ignored my dig. “Why are you so upset? The boy is safe.”
I wanted to scream because he’s my son, but I couldn’t. “It was my extraction! I had orders to get the boy back home.”
“Mission accomplished! He’s here, so what the hell?” Her cheeks flamed with anger.
I went to open my mouth, but Frank held up a hand.
“Enough, Paul,” he warned, “before you say something you can’t take back.”
“Oh, trust me,” Nicole laughed as she angrily brushed her tears away, “he’s way past that.”
“Am I? Or does the truth hurt?” I knew I was a being the biggest asshole in the world, but my world felt like it was slipping out from beneath me, and she just aired it all on the news.
“Take a walk, Paul,” Frank ordered, and I stepped back, but I wasn’t leaving. “Nicole?—”
“You know what, Frank?” she said. “I appreciate the ride from Chili, but I’m done. They’re not my unit, and this isn’t my home. I need to get back to Mexico so I can do my job.”
She was crazy.
“I can’t let you do that.”
She raised her chin. “Yes, you can.”
“You have orders to come to Shadows with us.”
She let out a dark laugh. “I never got that order.”
Frank held up his phone and showed her something, and her face fell. “You didn’t, but I did.”
Nicole tipped her head back and took a deep breath. “I need some air.” She headed toward the door, but not before she shot me a nasty glare.
