Page 27 of Code Name: Admiral

“Diesel,” Pershing said, nodding to a tall man with sharp features who was pouring coffee. “Status?”

“Perimeter’s secure. Atticus has eyes on the access road. We’ve got overhead coverage in place, and the rest of the team is either already in position or on their way.” The man brought two mugs over, holding one out to me.

“She prefers tea. Matcha.”

“Roger that, Admiral.”

“Code name,” he muttered, his arm still around me when our gazes collided. I should’ve wriggled out of his hold, put space between us, squared my shoulders, and reestablished the independence that was my way of life, but inexplicably, I couldn’t bring myself to.

“This is Diesel,” he said.

The man’s manner was different from the others—less military precision, more casual confidence. “I’m Caleb Jacks, but as Admiral said, everyone calls me Diesel. The quiet one in tactical gear over there is Atticus.” He motioned to two other men. “That’s Tank and Blackjack. We work together at a private intelligence firm and have been assisting in the investigation into your sister’s death.” He shifted on his feet. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, taking a deep breath when I felt tears threatening again.

“Did someone say they preferred Matcha?” Another man came around a corner, carrying a steaming mug. Pershing—Admiral, whatever the hell he went by—reached for it and held it out to me.

“By the way, that’s Kodiak. He also works with Diesel.”

I nodded and took the tea, noticing how each of the men appeared to be positioned between me and the windows. Protection detail wasn’t just a job to these guys—it was instinct.

“Admiral and I were roommates at Cornell. Though back then, we spent more time in Ithaca bars than in our dorm room,” Diesel said with a hint of a smile.

“Diesel,” Admiral warned, but there was familiarity in his tone. They were old friends. Real ones.

“Bryar’s got dinner in the oven,” he added. “She said to ask you whether you want her to bring it over or send one of the guys to get it.”

“Your wife’s a godsend,” said Admiral, still standing beside me, giving me the warmth I needed even though I’d never admit it or ask for it. “By the way, what’s the news?” he asked.

“You’ll have to wait until she’s here too.” Diesel turned to me. “Bryar’s former FBI,” he explained. “She used to work for him before she decided catching bad guys with me would be more fun. We’re just down the lake if you need anything.”

The casual conversation felt surreal after everything that had happened. These people moved in a world I couldn’t comprehend. The closest I’d gotten to anyone professionally was Tex, who I still hadn’t met in person.

“Does Alice know?—”

“Not yet,” Admiral snapped at Diesel’s question, and I bristled.

“Know what?” I asked.

“We’ll talk later.”

I jerked away from him.“Know what?”I repeated.

All eyes in the room were on Admiral, but he didn’t say a word.

I poked my finger into his chest hard enough that his eyes widened. “Fuck you!Tell me what you’re hiding from me, or take me back to the city. Right now. I don’t need this shit.”

“Come with me,” he said, taking my hand before I could jerk it away.

“Whatever you have to say, you can do it here. Everyone in this room already knows whatever it is anyway.”

He nodded once. “Let’s at least sit.”

Based on the looks on the faces of the other guys, I gave in. Whatever I was about to learn was big. I could feel it as much as see it.

Admiral led me over to the sofa that faced the fireplace, and we both sat. While I didn’t turn to look, I knew the men were no longer in the room. I wanted to scoot away, fold my arms, and somehow shield myself from what I was about to hear. Instead, I left my hand in his.

He cleared his throat. “Your sister…”

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