Page 19 of Brutal Collateral

“One month,” Alexander says and slides on aviator shades. “And don’t try anything. I hid you. Iburiedyou. I can dig you up. I respect you, Ava. Don’t make me come back with hitmen to take out innocent soldiers to get you out of here. In thirty days, Hadleigh Castille dies.”

Shaking, I watch him get up and walk away.

“A call for you,” a uniformed officer appears at the table and hands me a phone.

“Castille,” I say, my voice unsteady.

“I just got handed a letter from a private courier telling me to let you out of your contract in thirty days,” Cherise says. “Or else. What the hell? Whoareyou?”

“I can’t go into it right now. But I need your help, Cher.” I look around, suspicious of everything and everyone.

“Okay, what can I do?” I love that she’ll take care of me, no questions asked.

“Hide me. Do you have any outpost assignments?”

“Hmmm... Give me an hour.” Cherise hangs up.

Walking through the army base camp, I sit down with women soldiers readying for a mission to provide aid at the border while I wait for Cherise’s call.

A tap on my shoulder spins me around. I find a different man holding a phone out to me this time. A pit forms in my stomach, thinking Cherise can’t help me.

“Lieutenant Castille here,” I say, pushing away the dread.

“Lieutenant, this is Navy Operations Admiral Locklear. I hear you’re good with explosives, and you’re familiar with Navy protocol.”

My heart stores as he describes a mission in the Eastern Mediterranean aboard his warship.

“Yes, Admiral. I’ll look out for the travel arrangements.”

Cherise outdid herself with this assignment. I bet she could have me installed as the next Queen of England.

Ugh, I don’t want to be anyone’s queen.

CHAPTER FIVE

Griffin – February

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