Page 31 of Embedded
“I’d rather be back in Mexico than have to spend any more time with someone that questions my loyalty.” Nicole snickered at Frank.
“Look,” Frank leaned forward with his hands pressed into the table, “I don’t really like this any more than you do.” He stood and huffed out a breath. It was clear whatever General Bruce was up to weighed heavily on his mind. “Miss Winter, I’ve got about four months left with my teams before Bruce takes over. I’m way past retirement, but I’ve stayed on because…” He glanced at me, and I thought I knew what he would have said the reason was. He wanted to see me home and settled before he left. That was what he’d told me. Lately, though, I sensed that things were different with Frank. He’d changed. His only focus now seemed to be bringing down Perez and his Cartel. “I need to know that this house will be all right once I step away,” Frank continued.
“I didn’t mean I don’t appreciate all you’ve done.” Nicole’s face was open and honest. “It’s just that?—”
“Nicole, Paul has his reasons for behaving like he does.” He glanced at me. “But with that, Paul,” he lowered his chin and squinted at me, “I need you to set aside your concerns and do what is expected of you. Protect her.”
“Of course,” I assured him.
“I just need Nicole to hear that.”
Nicole raised a brow. “Time will tell.”
Frank shook his head and huffed a laugh. “What is it with this place and feisty women?”
“I think it’s required for being here.” Mark laughed.
“Sorry, Frank.” She cleared her throat. “I hear you, and I’m not here to make your life any harder than it might be.” She smiled. “I’ll go out to Zack’s tonight, I’ll report to Paul if I need to, and I’ll be ready for Washington tomorrow. All I ask is that it only be for one day.”
“I’ll mention it to General Bruce.”
“Thank you.” Her shoulders relaxed. “Wait, do you know who is joining us for the meeting?”
“No idea.” I could tell by the way Frank’s jaw flexed he wasn’t happy with not being in the loop anymore. “Now,” Frank looked at his phone then back to her, “is there anything else I should know before I go?”
“No, nothing that you need to know.” She tapped her fingers on the table. I glanced toward Cole at her strange wording.
Cole’s mouth twisted. “What about something any of us should know?”
“Nope.” She shrugged, and it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Mark quickly signed that we should get a few drinks in her and ask again. I knew he was joking, but I loved that idea.
“She’s been cleared, guys,” Frank reminded us. “Back off a little.”
Back off? I tried to figure out what Frank knew. “What? C’mon, Frank, you know something.” When he didn’t answer, I grew more frustrated. “She gets calls at all hours of the night. She knows things she shouldn’t.” I looked at her, but her face was expressionless. “She’s hiding something.”
“I don’t actually know anything. It was Bruce who cleared her,” Frank admitted.
Cole looked at him hard. “That’s not how things are done.”
The sadness that flashed over Frank’s face bothered me to my core. “Send your complaint to General Bruce. I’m being stripped of my role.”
Nicole pushed to her feet. “For men who keep your whole lives a secret,” she waved around the room as if to say Shadows, “you sure don’t mind trying to force me to crack.”
I folded my arms. “So, there is something.”
“I’m saying you’re hypocritical.” She looked at Cole. “Can I go?”
He nodded. “Yeah.” I waited for her to leave and shot Cole an uneasy look. He nodded because he felt it too. “All right, boys, let’s get back to work,” Cole ordered, and we quickly dispersed.
* * *
Later that night, we piled into the SUVs and headed for Zack’s. When we arrived at the front door, I felt a sense of calmness settle over me. These were the times when we felt normal; we were just in town like regular folks for some fun. A group of friends who wanted to shed the stress of our work lives.
Our SUV pulled up behind the girls’. We got out first then watched as they exited their car. Nicole’s white cowgirl boots hit the pavement first. She wore jeans and a pink halter top and looked damned attractive. I knew she used very little makeup, only what she needed to cover up her various cuts and bruises. Savannah and the other girls were dressed the same, some in skirts, but mostly pants as the weather was cooling off fast. The guys, like me, all had on jeans and button-ups or t-shirts. I stuck to a black t-shirt. I wasn’t one for wearing color, like Keith or Mike. Either way, we easily blended in with the locals, and that was all that mattered.
As much as I gave Nicole shit earlier, I wasn’t overly happy to be the one to keep an eye on her, and I planned to keep my distance as much as possible.
