Page 23 of Code Name: Typhon

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, looking directly at me. I smiled and winked.

“What did you need, Delfino?” Nemesis asked.

“It can wait. I didn’t realize you were in a meeting.”

“Back to our discussion,” said Nem when Delfino retreated and closed the door behind her.

While she was attempting to regain her momentum, it was too late. Kima had cut her off, and she’d lost steam because of it.

“I’ll not have our mission nor our work jeopardized by Unit 23 acting outside their lane. Make no mistake, Typhon. I will not relent on this subject. AMPS is ours. You compromise this mission, and I’ll see to it you are burned.”

Her threat was laughable, but I’d not win this round by continuing to engage. Better to let her think she had the upper hand even though I had no intention of following a single directive or order she spoke.

“Hornet has officially moved from MI6 to the unit. Verity has as well, but is ‘on loan,’ if you will, to the coalition in the same way Oleander is. I’ll see to it you’re briefed on any progress he makes,” I said, glancing in O’s direction. Wisely, she didn’t raise her head to look at me.

Nemesis picked up on the fact she didn’t and grew suspicious. “Not good enough. He either works with the coalition under my authority, or he stays the hell out of it.”

“Very well. When would you like him to report?” I snapped.

“Now.”

“Roger that.” I gave her a mock salute.

When Nemesis stood, I did too.

“Just so you’re kept in the loop, Hornet will work directly under Oleander,” she said.

I waited until she was out of the room, then let the smile I’d been holding back, loose. I watched from the window and waited until I saw Oleander leave with Poseidon before exiting. Kima was waiting outside the door.

“C’mon. Let’s celebrate Christmas,” I said, putting my arm around her shoulders.

“Really? Nem just announced we could all leave if we had somewhere to go, but I wasn’t certain I’d be able to.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you can leave this bloody coalition whenever you’d like.”

We were in my car, making the two-hour drive to my parents’ place, before Kima spoke again. “I like it.”

“What’s that?”

“I said I like working for the coalition.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “That’s all that’s important, sweetheart.”

She rested her head against the seat and smiled at me. “Thanks, Ty.”

“Anytime.”

When we arrived, there’d be a surprise waiting for her. My mum had informed me that Nina, Kima’s mother, was on her way and could be there before we were.

While the two women hadn’t known each other before I joined MI6, my mother had invited Nina into our family when I asked her to. They’d grown to be like sisters.

Delfino and I remained with my family until New Year’s Day. I would’ve stayed on longer since she and my sister were also close, except I received an urgent message from Z, asking if I could return to London. I received a similar request from Hornet, who, as of the first of the year, was officially a member of my team.

Before going to Vauxhall Cross, I dropped Kima off at my flat, not wanting to put her in the middle of Poseidon and me. She said she liked working for the coalition, and I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize her role with the Maltese task force.

“What’s this about?” I asked Z when I exited the lift and saw Hornet standing down the hall, talking on his mobile.

“One of the victims from the Felixstowe raid received a threatening message on a secure line from someone the team believes may have been a bidder on the sex-slave auction. Apparently, he’s abducted her best friend and is asking for an exchange.”