Page 60 of Not Ready

I watched a documentary once that said the CIA can’t operate on American soil—and that they probably do, but they legally aren’t supposed to. The FBI is limited to national laws, and occasionally, the government hires contract workers for black book projects. I thought it was more of a conspiracy theory, but as I look between them, I’m starting to think maybe I was wrong.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not going. They’ll figure it out.” Bishop wraps his arm around my lower back, nuzzling his cheek to the top of my head.

“So, you’re going to throw away the two years of work it took finding that asshole?” Holt asks incredulously. He looks at me. “You think Andrew is bad? Alvarez is what happens when you get one guy managing fifty Andrews.”

“Stand down, Hayes,” Bishop growls.

“I don’t want you to go,” I admit as he buries his hand in my hair. “And I hate the idea of you getting hurt, but I’m also not comfortable with the idea someone like that could get away because of me.”

“Not because of you. It’s my decision, and I’m not going,” Bishop says. “We just bonded.”

“We will look after Vale,” Mercer says. “Don’t make me pull rank here, Bishop.”

“Then I fucking quit,” Bishop snarls.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I hold up my arms and it works. He lifts me, wrapping me around his strong front. “I have to go back to my apartment to pack up my things. I don’t know who paid my rent for the next year, but thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Mercer says.

“Maybe Holt and Mercer can come with me to DC to get my stuff packed. It won’t take long. By the time we do that, then we can meet you back here.” I bury my hands in Bishop’s beard and stretch up to nuzzle my nose to his.

“No.” His head shakes and his lips brush mine.

His concern pulses in the bond.

I do my best to send comfort back to him.

He’s a big ball of nerves.

I don’t love the idea of being away from him, either, but he’s a good man.

I have serious fears that he’ll end up resenting himself for not doing all he can to take that guy off the streets. I get close to his ear and whisper all of that. “I know you won’t be resentful of me, but I do think you’ll have major regrets if you don’t finish your commitment to this case. Two years is a lot of time invested.”

My eyes meet Holt’s as I pull back. I can’t decipher the look on his face, but his tension is clear. It’s as though my system can feel it like an extra sense.

My stomach aches, and it takes me a few seconds to realize it’s Aurora stretching. If I’m focused on something else and not actively remembering that I’m hugely pregnant, it can really surprise me. I move a hand to my lower right stomach and push back against the throbbing pain. She’s definitely getting stronger, which is a good thing.

At least she’s not stomping on my bladder for a change.

Bishop keeps me up with his forearm while moving that hand to my stomach. “I don’t want to be away from the two of you.”

“I know,” I assure him. “But I’ll need you more than ever once she’s here. That’s why it’s important for you to handle this now. There are other vulnerable people who need protection. You’re the only one who knows what he looks like?”

Bishop gives a clipped nod. “I caught him through a scope during his last meetup. It was pure fucking luck, since he managed to stay essentially a ghost during our entire investigation.”

A scope… Like for a sniper rifle? I think the question but don’t ask it. There are some things I just don’t need to know.

“Will you be in danger?” That’s the really important question. My heart couldn’t take something bad happening to him. It would break me.

“He will be at the command center. Not on site,” Mercer says calmly. “It’s technically his team, and that makes it his job to run the op. He’ll be coordinating the moving pieces and giving everyone their assignments. Then he can scan the video feeds and make an identification. Once that’s made, the response team will handle everything.”

“In that case, I’m pretty sure you have to do it.” I stare straight into Bishop’s eyes.

He wars with himself in the bond for several long seconds before he sighs. “If I do this, I want PTO from now until she gives birth.” He looks at Mercer. “Actually, until the baby is three months old.”

“Fine.” Mercer nods, clasping his hands in front of him. “And we’ll accompany Vale to pack up her belongings.”

“You better keep her safe,” Bishop growls. “Or I’ll kill you both with my bare fucking hands.”

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