Page 23 of Embedded
I opened my mouth but decided not to fib. Lord knew these guys could sniff a lie out of thin air.
“Actually, what I said to you was I had been asked to do a story on her and her family, but I didn’t end up doing it.”
“Why?”
I hated my work being questioned. “Because he found all the answers he needed.”
“Who?”
“Look, Mike, you don’t know me, so this is a lot to ask, but please trust me when I say I can’t tell you.”
He narrowed his eyes at me and slowly shook his head. It caught Cole’s attention, and he headed toward us. Or maybe Savannah, who hadn’t moved very far, had motioned him to rescue me. “Why?” Mike hadn’t given up.
“Because I can’t.” I wasn’t going to back down and knew my body language would be like a beacon to the others. I tried to relax.
Mike didn’t like my answer, and I understood why, but I couldn’t say another word. I would never write an article on someone or give out information about someone until I knew it was okay to do so. We were in a standoff.
“Secrets aren’t something we do here at Shadows, Nicole.” He rubbed his head. “We’re talking about my wife here, and I don’t like secrets when it comes to my family. Secrets lead to problems.” I glanced at Cole, who now stood silently next to Mike.
“It’s not what you think.” I huffed out a breath, and I felt my heartbeat speed up as the room went silent at my raised voice.
“What should I think?” It was clear Mike wasn’t going to let it go.
“Despite whatever some of you might think,” I glanced at Paul, “I’m a good person. I don’t use people. I just try to help them. I can’t help it if there’s things I’m not able to tell you, just like you guys can’t.” I desperately looked at Cole. “You and Frank wanted me to come here, so that’s got to count for something.”
“It does,” Cole assured me, “but the women here all have something in their past that has scarred them. We’re very protective, so when you tell us a story and we find out it’s not true, you can see how one would get nervous.”
“Understood, but I never lied.” I looked at Mike. “I didn’t. You just misunderstood what I said at the time. I never asked to come here,” I said again. “I have orders to follow, too.”
Cole let out a long breath as he mulled over my words. “Of course, Nicole. Mike, stand down.” He put a hand on Mike’s arm briefly. “Sorry if we’re all on edge here.”
“I’m good.” I eyed Paul again, then glanced around the room and spotted the exit. I headed for it. “Excuse me.”
I moved around Mark as he entered and slipped out the door. I heard him say “Was it something I said?” as I hurried off. I found the big door to the front porch and stepped outside. The chilly air raised goosebumps across my skin as tears slid down my cheeks.
“Nicole, are you okay?” Savannah had come to check on me.
I nodded and folded my arms around me as the cold seeped through the fabric of the dress. “I am.” I wasn’t, but I wasn’t about to show it.
“Just so it’s said, years ago, there was a teammate who almost took down Shadows. He worked with the Cartel. It was a scary time. It really made the team sit back and reset how they do things. Since then, the guys find it hard to trust. I’m sorry about how they questioned you, but you have to understand where they’re coming from. I know you’ve had a rough go of it, and if it wasn’t for you, that child wouldn’t have made it. Please know I’ll always be here if you want to talk.”
“Thanks, Savannah. You have no idea how much your friendship means to me.” Even if it had only been for such a short while.
“I’m happy to hear that. Please take all the time you need.” Her smile faded as she turned to go back inside.
I leaned my shoulder against the porch pillar and gazed out at the night sky. It looked like a black star-spattered canvas, the mountains carefully placed just so to catch the light of the bright yellow moon. The beauty of Shadows did not disappoint.
I took a deep breath as I tried to clear my head. So many things hit me at once. I had no idea when I could return to Mexico. I wanted to visit Chase, but I knew he needed to rest. Then there was Paul. I couldn’t believe he thought I’d use Chase just for a story, and now he and Mike questioned my integrity and my job. I tried to push back the tears, but it was no use. They burned down my cheeks.
I heard the door open, but I didn’t turn. I was exhausted. “Savannah, I promise I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.” Paul’s voice made me spin around.
I raised a hand. “No, please, I can’t handle any more judgment.”
He crossed his arms against his chest, and I glanced down at his tattooed sleeve. “You and I need to figure this shit out.”
The nerve of him.
