Page 59 of Allegiance

The Living Room

Same Time

T he family was waiting for Elizabeth to give them the intel she had received, and they knew better than to ask where it came from. That was likely going to be classified, and not something she was free to answer.

No one was shocked.

With power in the US Government came two other things.

Secrets.

And responsibility.

The woman had both, and she was balancing them carefully.

With The Hunters gathered, and Dakota off being Dakota, they were ready to finally get down to business. Her visit wouldn’t be social, even if she was smiling at them as if it could be.

Elizabeth could fool just about anyone when she wanted to, and they had to hope that she had something good. Hunting for Chevy was getting old.

As the coffee was served, and the family was ready, Elizabeth got down to business.

“Okay, Team,” she said, running it like it was hers because…well, it was. “Major, you have the hard copy of the file, and it’s the ONLY one. Lose it when this is done, okay?”

Maura saluted with two fingers, understanding the need for secrecy. This wasn’t her first day dealing with classified information.

The irony was, that was how the hell they got into this mess in the first place.

Columbia.

El Gato.

Chevy—the traitorous Marine.

Elizabeth continued.

“For the rest of you, and when I say this is need to know, I’m dead serious. Keep your pie holes shut outside this room.”

Then, she began.

“MATE, load file Chevy Two,” she said.

In front of them, the big screen came to life, and they heard the whirling of a processor. MATE had been reinstalled inside that building, allowing them to handle the things Elizabeth sent them.

When the screen flashed, the monotone voice alerted her.

“Access allowed, Badass in Boots,” it said.

She stared at the screen.

“MATE, when I find out who keeps programming you to bust my balls every single day, I’m going to do a little busting myself,” she said. “And not in the fun way that I’m sure my damn husbands like!”

The system whirled.

“Unsure of the command. Please restate, Blackhawk, Elizabeth Renee.”

She shook her head.

When the tech took over, and they were the slaves, no one would be amused.

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