Page 119 of Silver Fire
“Sit down, Lockwood.” Viktor sighed. “Might as well listen to this wild-haired idea. Continue, Ms. Cole.”
Under the table, Derek sought out Sophie’s hand and squeezed it tight. But it was more to reassure him than it was for her.
* * *
After the joint AGS-CIA briefing,they barely said a word to each other, but the turmoil of rage and anxiety rolled off Derek with so much energy, Sophie felt like she was suffocating. They were both quiet on the ride home. Derek was deep in thought and only the rapid ticking of the muscle in his jaw revealed just how upset he was.
Viktor was furious with the way Marissa Cole went around him to secure her cooperation for the mission. Sophie was scared, she could hardly shoot a gun, but how could she say no when the whole mess originated with her?
She watched Derek throw his car keys on the kitchen counter and make his way to the liquor cabinet to pour himself some whiskey. He threw it back, and stilled as if enjoying the burn of the liquor down his throat.
“When did she approach you?” he asked finally.
“When I was with Beth at lunch,” Sophie replied. “We were sitting outside on the bench. She pulled up in a car and asked to speak with me.”
“And you just got in with her?” Derek asked roughly. “What if they took you away, no questions. You do not just trust the CIA, Sophie.”
“They’re the CIA, Derek. You think if they really wanted to lock me down, they can’t get to me?”
“Not if I can help it,” Derek told her. “You forget, MDI has a lot of influence in DC, not only with politicians but with the different senate committees on Intelligence and the Armed Services. You need to trust me to keep you safe.”
“And I do—”
“Then what the hell are you doing accepting to go on this fucking mission!” Derek roared. He slammed his glass on the table and gripped her arms, shaking her. “You are going to distract me. I need to stay focused when I am on this job. Not worry about you!”
Sophie could feel her own temper flare. Of course she had thought about that. She was going to suggest an alternative, but she knew Derek would go ballistic with it too.
“Let’s face it Derek. Between you and me, I’m the more important asset here,” Sophie said coldly before delivering the coup de grace. “Maybe you should stay.”
She watched Derek’s face pale. His hands dropped from her shoulders, clenching at his sides before he backed away, his face shuttering.
Giving her one last expressionless look, he turned, grabbed his keys and walked to the door.
“Where are you going?” Sophie asked, surprised when he did not argue.
“I need to clear my head,” he said shortly. “Don’t wait up for me.”
He slammed out of the condo, leaving Sophie bewildered. How dare he just leave in what could be their most important discussion to date?
When Marissa Cole asked her to join their team, she thought she was joking. But after the brunette explained what was at stake, Sophie felt she had no choice. Everything required to ensure the mission’s success had to be done. Sixteen commandos including Marissa needed the highest chance of disarming the zee bombs, and their highest chance was Sophie.
“Viktor would agree with me if he weren’t so biased,” Marissa had told her in the car.
“He doesn’t know you’ve come to me directly?”
“No. He would alert Lockwood, and Lockwood would do everything to keep you from us. Viktor has no loyalties to the CIA, but those who had worked with him in the AGS—he keeps his loyalties and Lockwood has always been one of his best and trusted agents. Viktor would spit at the CIA before he betrays his friend.”
“Admirable,” Sophie muttered.
“So what’s it going to be, Dr. Leroux? Our briefing is in 45 minutes.”
“Sheesh, you don’t give people a lot of time to decide do you?”
“Makes them overthink things,” Marissa said with a throaty laugh.
Sophie grinned. “Makes sense.”
“Well?”