Page 262 of Deceit

“Emmy.” My name is softer off his lips, and it does nothing to calm my nerves for the storm of what he wanted to tell me running through it. “You’re a mother. Asinglemother.”

“Well aware,” I sass back, resulting in Ledger perking a brow at me.

I don’t want to quit B723, but there’s no other alternative. Unless Ledger gives me one where I don’t need to be caught in the line of fire.

“I can’t risk their futures,” our commander continues as if he really is my father, and Alaric and Atlas are the grandkids. Or maybe because I’m an unfit mother who makes rash and dumb decisions. “I won’t be able to sleep at night knowing that you’re out there. Not with those twins waiting for you to come home. Marty has Stormi if something…it’s not ideal nor do I like to think about it, however, it’s there.”

“I understand,” I deadpan, raising my chin to keep from cowering from the reality of this situation.

“You’re the best hacker I know, and though you’ve taught Mills a thing or two, I don’t believe terminating you would be beneficial to B723. That’s why I’m demoting you. No field work, you’re still required to come in for meetings still like the rest of us. I’ll have to speak to Bishop first but—“

“Why?” I blurt.

“Haven’t you put that man through enough, Emmy?” Ledger’s voice is gentle but excessive with conviction. “Even a hacker can be traced back.”

I snort because I’d love to see someone try, but I clasp my hands tighter together and avert my gaze.

I can fight with the boys and bitch at Blue all day but Ledger is like banging your head against a brick wall. It’s gonna hurt, you’re not gonna win, and he’s not going to get hurt.

“If Bishop agrees to the terms, then we’re all set. You’ll work from home, perform all the technical things we may need you to do moving forward.”

“Commander, she’s a woman, not a child,” Marty counters sharply, coming to my rescue. “Bishop doesn’townher.”

“Like you wouldn’t do the same damn thing with your wife,” Ledger snaps. “If that girl worked for me after you tortured her, I would’ve asked her if she wanted me to kick your sorry ass out. Now, shut up and grab him.” Marty hesitates and glances over at me.

“You can speak with him alone.” I rise from my chair and my faithful friend follows me. “I’ll only run my mouth while you two talk to me like I’m not even here.”

“Emmy,” Ledger emits. “You affect everyone here more than you know whether you think you do or not. You weren’t here to see the aftermath of your death. It opened my eyes more than I cared to have them. A second time and this one being actually real, he’ll never come back from that. You know it as well as I.”

The words out of his lips aren’t bullshit. They’re the ugly truth of the consequences if I’m somehow tracked and murdered.

Pivoting, Marty and I walk out without another word, finding Bishop leaned up against the wall like he was the day I was in Ledger’s office before.

His blue eyes catch mine immediately, but he doesn’t show any emotion other than he doesn’t want to be here. He strides towards Ledger’s office, and when I think he’s about to ignore and pass me, he stops by Marty and me.

Then said faithful friend runs his mouth.

“If you get her kicked out of B723,” Marty seethes between his teeth. “I will end your ass.”

“Scary,” Bishop deadpans flatly, peering down at me so severely that I think it’s going to cut through my composure. “You good, baby?”

I nod.

Bishop’s nostrils flare, and he meets Marty’s glare, but he doesn’t utter another word. Instead, he disappears behind Ledger’s door and softly closes it.

“I’m not waiting around,” I state. “You got a joint?”

Marty smirks and shakes his head. “Yeah, Mama, let’s go.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder and says, “Do you think Stormi would kick me out?”

I chuckle. “No.”

“Do you think Bishop will do it to you?”

“Not if he doesn’t want to get choked to death.”

What do you do when your girl is sitting at home on the sofa chair, leg propped up along the armrest while a chain whip drapes along her lap?

I’m not sure what your answer is, but mine is bending her over said chair and getting rid of all that sass that she’s built up in the past two hours for me.

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