Page 115 of Always Been Mine

“You could say that.”

“Fucking unbelievable,” Gabe growled. “Why would I want to work with someone as insane as you?”

“Because whether you deny it or not, Sullivan, you see yourself in me.”

Eyes that had seen too much death.

“You’ll have to find someone else.”

“Do you honestly think you’ll be happy as a CIA field instructor?”

“What?—”

“I have eyes and ears everywhere,” Viktor said. “I have access to classified databases. You want to protect your woman and keep her safe? Information has the power to protect her. I can give that to you.”

“I’m still not your guy. I’m not going on covert missions abroad or going undercover, and leaving Beatrice for weeks on end. I’m not doing that shit again.”

Viktor huffed irritably. “Didn’t you hear what I said? I need a tactical analyst. You remain at the data center, analyze the intel with Tim, and you plan TAC team strategy. You don’t have to go on the field unless it’s in DC or anywhere close by and they’re usually short duration strike operations.With increased terrorist threats, I need help running ops from the data center.”

“Why? I heard you practically live and breathe AGS.”

“Why? Because I’m fucking married. I love my wife, Gabe, and priorities change. She comes first, and if it means I have to give up some control of running AGS to spend more time with her, I’m willing to do it.”

Gabe was shocked speechless. Whatever Viktor’s reasons were, he had not expected anything this . . . sappy.

“I need someone I can trust,” Viktor added.

“Then why not pick someone internally?”

“We need new blood, new perspective,” Viktor said. “Why do you think AGS is at the top of its game?”

“You still don’t know me well.”

“Oh, I know who you are. You were a Commander with SEAL Team Six, Sullivan—one of the most decorated and most lethal. You were feared as Dmitry Yerzov.”

“I’m not the same man—”

“I sure hope not,” Viktor fired back. “People who go undercover usually have no ties that bind them, and yes, having no family makes them effective to a certain degree. But you fight terrorists who want to destroy our freedom, you need to have someone at home worth fighting for. You’d kill for Beatrice; you’d kill to protect the life you have with her.”

Their eyes locked. Hehadkilled for Beatrice.

“I’ll always choose her above everything else,” Gabe warned. “If she gets put into danger and I have to choose, I will choose her every single time.”

Viktor tightened his jaw. “We have safeguards in place so you wouldn’t be put in such a position.”

“It’s happened before?”

“It had. You become a Guardian, Gabe, you will have access to the best security for Beatrice—information and personnel.”

“Gabe!” Beatrice’s worried voice called from inside. “Rhino, let me pass, boy!”

“I need to discuss this with her,” Gabe said as he made a move to head back into the house. He thought for a moment to invite Viktor in, but fuck if he knew what Beatrice was wearing.

“Give it some thought. If you have any concerns, give me a call. Beatrice has my number.” Viktor gave him a chin lift, turned, and walked away.

Eight monthslater

“Gabe’s here,”Emily’s voice sounded over the intercom in Nate’s office.

---