Page 140 of Covert Mission
Camile looks mortified, her hand is pushing at mine, trying to get free. She’s shaking her head.
Because I know she’s going to try to bolt from the truck, I move my hand from her leg to her wrist. Then I let my former commander have it. “First, let me tell you, what goes on in my personal life is none of your fucking business. Ever. Second, you need to take a pill and listen to what we have to say.”
Nighthawk sounds like a fire-breathing dragon. Damn, I remember those days well. He was an excellent SEAL, but when his temper flew, watch out.
“Before you give yourself that coronary you’ve been courting for two decades, listen to my request.”
“Fuck…I just knew that it would be you to cause me to go toes up one day,” he grouses.
“Give Camile permission to talk to me about your case with FamFind.”
A disbelieving sound is followed by more yelling. “Why would I do that?”
“So I can help wrap it up.”
He snorts. Loudly. “You’re shitting me.”
I roll my eyes. The man curses more than any other human I know. “No, I’m not. I’m going to help her get to the bottom of whatever you’re working on.”
“Because?”
“Because she deserves a chance to finish her mission. I’m the one that caused her to get fired from FamFind.”
He’s silent on the other end of the line, I’m not sure if it’s him or Camile who is going to be the first one to need a cardiac intervention. I slide my hand down from her wrist to grip her hand. Her fingers are ice cold.
I tug her hand to my chest and press it against me.
She won’t meet my gaze.
“Come on, Night, you know I’ve got every clearance known to man.”
“Alright,” he snaps. “But you’ve got to wrap this up fast.”
“I know.” For a whole ton of reasons. “We’ll be in touch.”
I disconnect and turn in my seat. “Babe, you might want to breathe, you’re kind of blue.”
“I…I can’t believe you called my boss.”
“I needed to get to the root of the matter.”
She groans. Closes her eyes and leans her head back against the truck seat. I’d pay money to know what’s in her head right now.
“It’s going to be fine. I’m good at this kind of stuff.”
“Oh, I have no doubt you are.”
“What’s wrong?”
She presses the palm of her other hand to her eyes. “Everything. I’m just overwhelmed. Please let me go. I’d like to go inside now.”
I let her fingers slide from mine. She climbs out of the truck and shuts the door quietly. She walks to my place and waits by the door. As soon as I let her inside, she takes off for the bathroom.
I’m sitting on the edge of the bed when she comes out a few minutes later. Her hair is up in a knot on the top of her head, her face is damp, like she just washed it.
When she stops and looks at me with her hands clenched at her sides, I feel her apprehension all the way to my toes.
I rise and go to her. “You need rest.”