Page 19 of Sovereign Oaths

Emilia

“You don’t have to do this.” Cruz leaned against the doorframe, watching me do my makeup.

“You’re right. I get to.” I widened my eyes to coat my lashes with mascara.

“We were given time off. You should be resting, or at least relaxing. Another mission is too big of an ask.”

He could list all the reasons I shouldn’t go. He already had twice this morning, but there was no changing my mind.

When Rod called to ask for a huge favor, I worried it would involve going back to the Pack lands. He told me I could say no, but if he was reaching out while I was already in the middle of a high-priority case, I knew he was out of options.

Plus, the target was in Fort Lauderdale. Bringing someone else in when I was an hour away was a waste for everyone involved. It was easy. A quick takeout, one that needed to be discrete, which was why snipers couldn’t step in.

I didn’t even have to dress up. The target, likely a man who overheard a conversation he shouldn’t have last night, would be leaving his office and going to the bar he visited everyday. No family. Only a few coworkers who may notice his absence in a few days.

I didn’t even have to waste my spelled powder. Rod decided an accidental overdose fit well enough to not raise suspicion.

“It won’t take more than a couple of hours, and it’s not like I have anything else to do today.” I was already going stir-crazy and needed out of the apartment. I wasn’t used to being idle and was ready to get my hands dirty.

Alessio texted me that he had something come up and he’d be busy for a few days. Since that wasn’t all that unusual, I didn’t mind, but Marco led a beta team to tail him.

“I know, but––”

“Why don’t you come with me if you’re so worried?” I finished my lip gloss and stared at him through the mirror. A slow smile pulled at his lips.

“If you insist.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on. I don’t want to get stuck in traffic.”

Between the stupid boat ride, walk to our car, and travel time, we barely made it to the target’s office building in time to follow him to his preferred bar.

“I can do this,” Cruz insisted for the third time.

“I never said you couldn’t.” I didn’t need or want backup, so I never asked him, but only because I spent my career training to work solo.

“Why risk something happening to you right now? Rod knows you’re invaluable to a much more important mission, so why would he––”

I waved a hand to cut him off. “He knows my capabilities more than almost anyone else. My coach might be the only one to have him beat. He is well aware of our work on the Dias case and also knows this needs to be done. He’s sending me in because of how well he knows me and my abilities.”

He was killing my buzz. I loved the buildup before a takedown. The high I got off any challenge was what I used to live for.

Now, I had more, but it was nice getting back to my roots.

He grumbled something I couldn’t make out as we parked behind the bar. At only six thirty, the place was nearly empty, but the target walked in without hesitation.

I unbuckled my seat belt and turned to Cruz. “I know you care about my safety. I appreciate that, but right now, it seems more like you’re doubting my ability to do my job, which is both insulting and unfounded given you’ve seen me work for weeks now. You know I can handle myself.”

He ducked his head. “I do.”

“Then give me a kiss and wish me luck.”

He huffed a laugh and leaned in and wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, pulling me in for a kiss before resting his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry. I know you’re more than able to kick anyone’s ass.”

“Including yours?” I challenged with a smirk.

“Any day.” He pulled away and nodded toward the back entrance. “Go on. I’ll put in an order for your favorite Thai, and we can pick it up on the way back.”

I beamed and opened the car door. “Sounds good.”

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