Page 54 of Code Name: Michelangelo

He chuckled. “No, you do not. According to Flick, you’re doing very well.”

“Good to know, except…” I covered my face when my eyes filled with tears.

“Penelope?”

“Yes?” I said from behind my hands.

“Look at me.”

I wiped away my tears and turned my head toward him.

“The reason I’m here has nothing to do with your training or Brand’s. We’ve received intel I believe alters the plans for your undercover mission.”

Could I breathe a sigh of relief without it looking like I’d intended to quit? I held it inside instead.

“Before I say anything more, let’s find the others.” He pulled out his phone and sent a text message.

“I have to admit, I really miss being able to do that. Send messages, I mean.”

“About that.” He reached into a messenger bag. “You can have this back now.” He handed me my cell.

“Are you sure I’m not going to get in trouble with Sundance?” I was only half teasing.

“Positive. I outrank him.”

“I didn’t realize you were a general.”

He eyed me. “You make a good point. Let me rephrase; I’m bigger than he is. I’m also younger.”

I laughed. “I have to admit the man intimidates me.”

Kade leaned closer. “I’ll swear you’re lying if I ever found out you repeated this, but he intimidates me too.”

18

MICHELANGELO

“Come on up. We’ve been expecting you,” I overheard Sundance say to someone he was speaking with on his mobile. Less than five minutes later, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, I was thrilled and stunned to see Penelope.

I hurried in her direction after our eyes met, and it occurred to me something may have happened to her. I stepped around Sundance and pulled her into an embrace, not caring if he or Flick didn’t like it. The five days since I last saw her felt longer and worse than the four years I’d spent in prison.

“Butterfly,” I whispered, resting my head against hers. “I’ve missed you so.”

She put her arms around my waist. “Same.”

“Okay, love birds, there will be time for that later. Let’s get through this meeting.”

That Sundance said we’d have time together later worried me. Something must have happened for our allotted training days to be cut in half.

When he motioned to it, I led Penelope over to the table, pulled out a chair for her, then took the seat beside hers.

“Good to see you, Brand,” said Doc, sitting across from me.

“You too, sir.” If he thought I’d apologize for only having eyes for Pen, he was wrong.

It dawned on me he hadn’t used my code name. That, along with Sundance saying Pen and I would have time together later, confirmed something was up.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” Sundance began, looking over at me. “Michelangelo and I noticed two things on the day of his arrival that gave Flick and me pause enough to reach out to Doc.”

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