Page 90 of Evening Shadows

She trusted and believed in this woman. She’d never allow something to happen to the children.

“He and Reagan have challenged each other to some hot game they’ve displayed on the big screen. Rylee is still with them, and AJ and Jake are also hanging out.”

Relief spread through her body, allowing her to end this madness that could haunt Cody for years to come. “I have to see him before I go.”

Kate raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re ready for him to see you like that?”

When she’d accessorized, she’d strapped on a replacement weapon—thank you, Kate—on her thigh, she hadn’t thought much about it as it’d become a part of her. Cody might not understand, and she wouldn’t do that to him. “Just watch him for me, please.”

A soft smile graced Kate’s lips. “There’s no need to ask. Now, I do believe they’re waiting for you to begin.”

Her eyes widened. Waiting for her? The camaraderie of the team had her eyes misting with love.

Kate nodded. “Yes, Ken went over to get spun up. He says to trust him.”

How many more times would Kate say to trust Ken? From what she’d learned—albeit by the gossipy men on the team—Kate hadn’t trusted Jesse one iota when they’d met, and he’d tried to protect her. “Wait, what’s spun up mean?”

Kate shook her head, but a grin remained on her face. “Oh, the military guys tend to use it. It’s when you’re reading into an op late or new intel has arrived. He’ll quickly devour everything new collected about Bev and the situation.”

“Okay.” She’d try to be the good agent who knew her place. And, that place wasn’t stepping over her boss’s toes, no matter how nice there were rubbing up and down her bare calves.

“Are you ready?” Kate asked.

Ready as she’d ever be. No case had ever been this personal. She hoped no more would be. She nodded and walked through the large kitchen to the back exit, then down the path to HQ. After typing in her code, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

Breathing slowly in and out while walking down the hall to keep her ire down, she ducked into the war room and stopped. All eyes turned to her, support and caring evident in every pair. She looked at her team and almost wept at their solidarity.

This made her plan to leave them so gut-wrenching.

36

Maybe others didn’t notice, but being attuned to Sam’s nuances and looks, the fast display of emotions over her eyes surprised him. She’d walked in with apprehension and maybe a bit of fear. Then he’d caught a glimpse of gratitude and love, which he attributed to her notice of the team’s support.

That final emotion in her eyes when she stopped short of the agents had to be sadness. He couldn’t comprehend it at this distance and couldn’t question it or support her until later. That knot of worry about how she’d handle this interview sat as a lead weight in his stomach.

Her happiness was his, and when she hurt, he did too. She’d suffered enough of it that he had to end this for her, however he could. He loved her too much to allow this emotional torture to continue.

Today, he’d finally slay the demon that had been breathing its lethal fire at her for years. He’d almost wanted her to stay away but knew she needed to be there and see this through, no matter how painful. If Beverly slung her vile words to Sam, his restraint might not be tight enough to keep him in check.

He stepped toward her. “Are you ready?”

With a slow nod, her weak voice called to his heart. “Yes.” As if realizing how she’d sounded, in a firmer voice, she repeated, “Yes.”

Ken led Alpha team agents into one side of the conference room. They’d discussed building an interrogation room but hadn’t had much need for one. They’d only brought a few people to HQ and preferred not to bring anyone into their domain. However, maybe they should consider the idea.

On one side of the long, thick walnut table sat Beverly with Grits and Romeo standing guard behind her, flanking her seat. The conference phone and other toys Devon supplied for the room had been removed. No sense giving her any opportunity.

Across from Beverly, he offered Sam a chair beside him before he sat. This had been his first look at the woman since she’d been brought to HQ. He’d actually been surprised Jesse had allowed that, but he’d heard she’d been blindfolded from Sam’s home to this room and had bitched about it so much, they’d threatened to gag her. He wouldn’t have put it past them.

He couldn’t tell if her wrinkled blue silky top and wild hair had more to do with her mental or on-the-run state. Either way, she looked like a woman who’d taken a dive over the edge.

In a planned role, Jesse walked over to him and dropped a blue folder on the table in front of him, then took up a stance to Ken’s left. Instead of sitting, Jesse stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Which was how he imagined all the men behind him to be standing. Pride swelled in him at this team.

“Hello, Beverly,” he said evenly.

She hissed at them. At least, he couldn’t describe it as anything else. She turned to focus her attention on Sam. “You backstabbing bitch. We had such a great plan, and you backed out.”

When Sam tensed, Ken lowered his hand below the table and squeezed her leg.

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