Page 45 of A Soldier's Temptation
“I need to speak to Ari alone,” Colin announced after they were inside the apartment.
John glanced in her direction to try to see what she was thinking, but he couldn’t. She looked upset, which was expected considering how Colin treated her, but that was as much as he could determine. “Do you want me to come to? We can go into the kitchen. The guys will stay here.”
The SEALs nodded in agreement.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Colin answered.
“I’d like him to. You might as well let him. If you don’t I’ll just tell him later,” Ari said.
“Alright. C’mon then.”
Following behind Ari and Colin, John turned to the guys. “We’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”
They nodded their understanding. No one wanted Colin to know how much his teammates had been read about what was going on, or that Chase’s guys were involved. From the way he’d been acting, it would turn into a huge clusterfuck.
“We’re alone now, so do you want to tell us what the fuck has your panties in a twist? I’ve never seen you be this much of an asshole,” John asked.
“You’re asking me that after where I found you? You’re supposed to keep her protected…”
“Enough of this pissing contest. You’re friends, right? So cut it out. It’s obvious something happened, like John said, because you’re not usually this wound up,” Ari interrupted.
Colin sighed. “There’s been a new development.”
It couldn’t be about the memory card or Shira. He’d know by now about the phone call Ari received earlier. The little hairs at the back of John’s neck tingled and he wished Colin would just spit it out, whatever it was, and then they could figure out how to deal with it.
“The man you knew as Paul Chen is dead.”
“What?” Ari asked, her voice shaky with panic.
“Wasn’t he in federal custody?”
“Yes, but someone got to him. When they did bed check he was lying on the floor. They took him to the infirmary, but it was too late.”
John slid his hand over Ari’s and gave it a gentle squeeze. She looked shell-shocked and after everything she’d already been through that morning, he wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
“How did he die,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“We need to do an autopsy, but it was poison of some kind. Probably slipped into his food.”
“Does this change anything?” John asked. Maybe Colin didn’t know about the kidnapping. If he’d been dealing with Chen’s death all morning maybe no one had been monitoring her calls.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. My boss called me and said since he’s dead and there is no proof that the Chinese MSS are behind it, the case is being dropped.”
“Wait, how can they do that? What about all the threats?” Ari asked.
Her hand shook under John’s and he wished he could make all of this disappear.
“I don’t know. It’s out of my hands. I’m hoping the CIA will pick it up, but for now, there’s not much I can do. He pulled your protection a couple of hours ago without even telling me.”
“What the fuck is that shit? He’s just going to cut and run now? What about keeping Ari safe?” Now John vibrated, not in shock but anger. It took all of his willpower to stay in his chair and not get up and punch the wall or Colin.
“I know, believe me. I don’t agree with this, but my hands are tied, it’s above my pay grade,” Colin responded and looked genuinely upset.
“But it’s not over. I can’t believe Paul is dead, but…” Ari stopped short of spilling everything from earlier, but it was too late by then.
“But what? Did something happen?” Colin sat forward and stared at Ari.
“It doesn’t matter, Colin. It won’t help you, and now more than ever you don’t need to be involved. The FBI is closing the case so you should just walk away. I’ll make sure Ari is safe.” It wasn’t how he operated and they both knew it. Colin might have to follow orders, but it didn’t mean he liked it.
