Page 69 of Embedded
“No,” I pulled John backward, “Frank just needed a word with me.”
Mike slowly stood and moved to stand next to John.
“Tensions are high, boys, but save that fire to use out there and not in here.” Cole’s voice was a warning to stand down.
“Tensions have been high for a while, Colonel.” John stepped back, but his posture told me he was pissed.
“John,” I moved myself between him and Frank, “it’s all good.”
“Something’s off. I can feel it.” I nodded, because shit was definitely off.
“Let’s get through this mission and we’ll talk.” I gave him my word.
His gaze moved to mine and he tried to read my mind. Normally, he could, but I fought to block him out. I had to.
“Paul, let’s go,” Frank ordered, and I gave John’s shoulder a squeeze and followed him outside. “Black needs to?—”
“Frank,” I cut him off, “don’t pit me against my family. You won’t win.” His mouth twisted, but to my surprise, he didn’t put me in my place either. “And this will be the last time.” I brushed past, leaving him to follow me.
“Hey, hold up,” Frank called. He’d trailed me for a bit, but I wouldn’t turn. “Paul, Steve from North Rock just called in.” His breaths came in huffs, and I knew his advanced age made it hard for him to keep up with my pace. I stopped finally but wouldn’t turn.
“What’d he want?”
“Said he was followed all the way across state lines to Tennessee. Once he shook the tail, he scanned his Jeep, and guess what he found.” He waited, but I wouldn’t bite. “A tracker with a lion’s head on it.”
I whirled as a cold feeling spread through my limbs. That was the same logo on the one I’d found on Nicole
“Yeah,” he nodded, “now you see why I need you. We’re close, Paul, but we need to be closer. This is the only way.” I cursed under my breath. “Nicole is planted deep, and she’s good, so let her dig there,” he pointed to the left, “while you dig over here.” He pointed in the opposite direction. “It’s a smart play, the only play, and you know it.”
Do I know it?
“Does Cole know?”
His eyes went down then back up. “The fewer involved, the better. You know this.”
“Fuck.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “And when he notices I'm gone?”
“He’ll be fine. Besides, you need to go. The chopper’s waiting. I’ve got you covered.”
“Of course you do.” I spun back around and walked away from my brothers and toward everything I’d worked so damn hard to forget.
I refused to think of my son; the pain was too much.
***
“You must be Paul.” A man stood as I entered the room and offered me a hand. I looked around and saw the box next to him. “I’ve been hired to?—”
“I know who you are.” I glared at him. “Let’s get this shit over with.”
Since I’d left Frank, I’d gone over the plan about nine different times in my head and couldn’t see a way out of it.
Once the guy was finished with me, I found my way to where Chili waited with the old pickup truck that had been arranged for us. I got in, and he started the engine. I stared at a small hole in the floor and wished I was anywhere but where I was.
“You okay, man?” Chili, who hadn't said much at all since he’d also been roped into this shit storm, rubbed the dust from his face. The truck didn’t have AC, so the windows needed to be open for any kind of relief.
“Never better.”
I leaned my head back against the headrest, still angry for breaking the biggest promise I’d made to myself. I knew I had to get past it and keep my head in the game. I wasn’t doing myself or anyone else any favors by wallowing in it.
