Page 31 of Covert Mission
It’s not smart to let the feeling settle.
He catches my unease and narrows his eyes. “We’re teaming up, right?”
We are?
I blink at him and pinch my brows together. “You inserting yourself into my life is teaming up?”
“You’re gonna help us look for someone.”
This is news. “Who?”
“A missing person.”
A chill hits my spine. FamFind helps people in disasters, but I have a feeling he and his men are here for reasons that go beyond the earthquake.
“How long has this person been gone?”
His expression turns even more grim. Beast has three modes. Unreadable. Grim. Grimmer.
He says, “Last time she checked in with her family was five days ago. According to her father, that's not like her.”
“She was here in Santa Rosa?”
As if he’s deciding what he can tell me, he pauses. Once he’s made up his mind, he gives me a vague answer. “Working nearby.”
Working. That’s interesting.
I let myself look out across the crumbled buildings with a different mindset. Regardless of her reason for being here, the earthquake could mean she’s injured, or worse.
I can only whisper now. “That’s not good.”
“Not good for a lot of people.”
We share a stone-silent moment as we watch one of the earthquake teams digging at what looks like the crumbled remains of a stone house.
The chill in my bones turns to a deep ache. My job is important. I’m needed here. I can’t let today shake me.
Beast exhales hard next to me. “Do your thing and get set up. I’ll keep an eye out for trouble. You’re safe. Once you’re up and running, we’ll go over my case.”
Why does it feel so good that he wants my help?
“Copy that.”
Beast looks at me for a beat. He grumbles and a displeased expression crosses his angular face. “Damn. You’re something.”
He’s still muttering under his breath when he moves away from me, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.
ChapterTen
I did this to myself.
Can’t blame anyone except maybe my maker for giving me the unstoppable need to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
So, I stand by the front of the tent glaring at anyone that looks like they could be trouble.
No one is getting to Camile and her people.
Scout crosses the cracked earth that used to be the main street of Santa Rosa. His eyes are on a pivot, scanning the area as he makes his way toward me. The shadow of his baseball cap bill hides his face. But his stride is urgent.