Page 118 of Silver Fire
Viktor and Derek spoke at the same time.
“What’s the meaning of this, Marissa?”
“Sophie, what the fuck are you doing here?”
Derek stalked over to confront her, but Quint blocked him.
“Stand down, Lockwood.”
“Fuck you, Quint,” Derek snapped as he shoved the other man away, vaguely aware of a fierce exchange of words between Cole and Viktor. Quint shoved back and before either one was able to throw a punch, men from both sides were quick to pull the two apart.
“Derek, stop it!” Sophie said loudly.
“Sophie, get your ass over here!” Derek growled, frustrated at the sea of bodies that separated him from his woman.
Sophie cast him a defiant look but made her way past the CIA team. Quint stretched his arm to stop her, saying, “Don’t let him intimidate you.”
Derek hadn’t had the urge to decapitate someone before, but Quint would well be on the top of his list today.
“Don’t be silly, he won’t change my mind,” Sophie replied.
Change her mind? Change her mind about what?
When she was within reach, Derek caught her hand and yanked her to his side. The temptation to blister her ass was as strong as the temptation to kiss her senseless.
“Were you talking to the CIA behind my back?” Derek hissed into her ear.
Sophie’s mouth was set mulishly; apparently he wasn’t going to get answers right now. He grabbed his files and moved to the empty chairs further away on the conference table.
“Okay, will everyone settle down!” Marissa said loudly, obviously giving up arguing with Viktor and preferring to lay out her plan.
“You do not give orders in my briefing room, Marissa,” Viktor said angrily.
Marissa exhaled deeply. “May I address the room, Mr. Baran?”
Viktor narrowed his eyes at the brunette, as if gauging the sincerity of her request. Marissa had an eyebrow quirked up. Viktor gave a slight nod and leaned back against the wall. The rest of the CIA team took their seats. Derek was pissed, but at the moment, he didn’t know where to direct his rage. He forced himself to listen to the CIA team lead.
“Normally our explosive ordnance expert, Lt. Chen would take the lead on this,” Marissa nodded to a lean Asian commando, who sported a burn scar over the left side of his face. “However, given the intricacy of the trigger design, we felt best to have Dr. Leroux as an adviser.”
“That was the plan all along, Marissa,” Viktor grit through clenched teeth, dropping all formalities and addressing her by her first name. “We were going to ask Dr. Leroux to come in when we’ve assembled the team for tacticals, and she could instruct your bomb expert what to look for, and how to disarm the zee bomb.”
“That plan is not good enough,” Marissa said, and Derek felt the anxiety in his gut twist further. He looked at Sophie, who was staring straight ahead while wringing her hands nervously. He was about to grab them to reassure her when Marissa’s next words stopped him cold.
“She will be accompanying the team to South Africa,” Marissa stated with finality.
Derek shot up from his chair. “The fuck she will! Are you out of your ever-loving mind?”
“Lockwood! Sit. Down,” Viktor barked.
“This is fucking insane, Viktor,” Derek continued furiously. “Over my dead body. I will not allow this.”
“I think that’s for Dr. Leroux to decide,” Marissa replied calmly. “She has agreed.”
“You’re insane,” Derek repeated as he glowered furiously at Sophie. “Come on. I’m taking you home.”
“No,” Sophie said defiantly. “It’s my decision, Derek.”
Fuck. Derek knew that tone. His jaw clenched tightly as he and Sophie had a stare down.