Page 145 of Crossfire

“You gave top-secret CIA intelligence to civilians?” Daniel snarled.

A cold knot formed in my stomach.Shit.

“Only as a last resort.”

“A last…” Daniel’s jaw tightened—the look alone hitting me like a physical blow. “Do you know the ramifications of doing that?”

“The ramifications of not proving her innocence would mean her death,” I reasoned.

“I thought I didn’t have to tell you this, but allow me to enlighten you on the consequences of leaking classified intelligence. Especially for a high-stakes mission like Vosch.”

Each word from Daniel was laced with a poison of condescension, twisting my gut with guilt.

Vosch.

I’ve been so preoccupied with Ivy I hadn’t considered that angle. He was all over this evidence.

But I couldn’t think about that right now; someone had to protect Ivy, and I was the only one here willing to do it, so I straightened my spine, meeting Daniel’s leer head-on.

“Let’s start with the legal consequences,” he said. “Any individual who leaks classified information can face charges under the Espionage Act. And I sent you this evidence.” Daniel stabbed the paper with his finger. “So, my neck is on the line here, too.”

“I’ll take the fall,” I said. “I’ll tell them you had nothing to do with this.”

“Well, that’s great, Grayson. But beyond the legal consequences, my reputation will still take a bullet, and my career might, too.”

“Daniel…”

He cut me off with a sharp wave of his hand. “And then there’s the national security threat. Exposing sensitive intelligence operations, the political fallout—need I go on?” His voice rose with each point, the vein in his temple throbbing.

“What else was I supposed to do?” I demanded, clenching my hands once more.

“Come to me.” His words were simple, but the betrayal in them was anything but.

“I did,” I reminded him. “More than once. You didn’t believe me.”

“So, you put this girl in front of your country,” Daniel accused.

I clenched my jaw. “I’ve dedicated my life to protecting this country. I’ve risked my life multiple times. I’ve done everything for this country.”

“Until now.” Daniel’s voice was cold, final.

I dragged a hand over my face, the stubble scratching against my palm as I tried to rein in my spiraling emotions. “Look, I never intended to get you into any trouble or put this organization or country in jeopardy. But what would you have done? If the CIA targeted your wife and you knew she was innocent, would you have just sat back and let her get killed?”

Daniel studied me for several seconds, his shoulders softening slightly.

“We need to get her removed as a target,” I pressed. “Now. Tonight.”

Later, we could work on who had done this, but the most urgent priority was protecting Ivy’s life.

“How can we be sure the person who sent you this analysis is correct?” Seth trailed his finger along the paper.

Skepticism met me in the narrowing of his eyes, making my limbs buzz with a mixture of anger and worry.

“It’s correct. Now, who do we call?”

“This isn’t possible.” Daniel’s voice dropped to a low murmur, tinged not with argument, but with disbelief. He rubbed a hand over his mouth.

“The CIA doesn’t make mistakes like this.” Seth snatched the piece of paper out of Daniel’s hand, scrutinizing it with an intense scowl.