Page 25 of Redeeming Meg

“Meg,” Declan grumbled, “we’re not pursuing it further unless ordered.”

They moved swiftly, weaving through the chaotic halls. “We have to find Shredder Man.” She pulled up short, knowing what she had to do. “We might be able to save the mission.”

He gave a terse huff, stopping as well. Raking a hand over his face, he shook his head and met her eyes for a brief, condemning moment. “Knew you’d say that.”

“You need to find the gymnasium. There’s a bunch of employees there and they will need help evacuating. Hagar no doubt has the place completely surrounded, so you’ll have to take them out through the tunnels.”

“And let you have all the fun going after our shredding expert? I don’t think so.”

Her hands went to her hips. “I thought we understood who was in charge of this mission.”

“Hagar loves to be on stage, and we know how he enjoys taking hostages as prisoners, but only if he controls the environment. There are probably fifty, if not more, in this place—too many for him to control or move.”

“He might simply shoot them all. We have to evacuate them.”

“We can’t get fifty people to the tunnel and out of here without making them sitting ducks.”

They were all sitting ducks at the moment. “I’ll keep Hagar and his men distracted. He’s not expecting me to be here, and I’d bet he’ll find me equally attractive to whatever he’s after.”

The way Declan looked at her told her she was a distraction, even for him. It wasn’t the same kind, but she saw the heat flare in his eyes at the term.

She hit her comm. “Loch Ness, we’re going after the USB. The possible thief is still in the building.”

Only static answered. She pointed toward the hall leading to the stairs. “Get those people out. I’ll catch up with you when I can.”

If I can.

Dec gave her a humorless smile. “When will you learn that you cannot get rid of me? The last time we divided up the team, we lost one of our members. Granted, there are times and certain missions when that makes sense. This isn’t one of them.” He flicked his wrist over to check his watch. “We need to be at that evac site in two hours. I’m not here to play the hero and save all those people, but for you, I’ll do it.”

She was confused—was he going to lead the trapped staffers to the tunnel or not? “I don’t need a hero. What I need is someone who follows orders.”

“Blah blah blah. Heard it before. Do you know why I’m your second?”

“Because of your qualifications.”

“Because our boss assigned me the position in order to keep you from taking extreme risks beyond what’s necessary for the parameters of every mission.”

It was as if someone had thrown ice water over her head. “What?”

“I’ve never seen your file, but my orders from the highest levels of Langley have always been to keep you in check. You are one of the most valuable assets they’ve had in recent years. I am their insurance that you come back after every mission.”

Her legs went weak, and she had to put a hand against the wall. “You bastard. Were you ever going to tell me?”

He strutted past her for the stairs that would take him to the main entrance. “Save it. You can kick me off your team later. For now, I’m going after Hagar, and you’re going after the USB.”

She reached for the stewing anger that had kept her from dissolving into misery for so many months, but it wasn’t there. The bleak nothingness devoured her instead. All this time…

She’d thought Dec balanced her out. When Flynn had given her the responsibility for picking her team…

He’d fed Declan Reid to her.

Because he wanted him to be her bodyguard.

A flicker of anger fired up her limbs, and her feet started moving. She jogged to catch up with Dec as he hit the stairwell down. She grabbed him by the back of the jacket, stopping him three steps from the landing, and forced him to face her. “I thought you chose me over her because of our relationship. Why didn’t you tell me you were simply following orders?”

He moved up one step, putting himself nose to nose with hers. His lowered voice came out with a cutting edge to it. “Ididchoose you because of our relationship.” He came up another step, towering over her and forcing her to step back. “I willalwayschoose you, regardless of my orders.”

Before she could say a word, he brought his mouth down on hers.

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