Page 52 of Forged in Steele

“Will do.” Reed sat back.

“Lastly,” Jared said. “The undercover operation with Holloway begins with an appointment to see him at nine. You can be assured we’ll do our very best to pass his examination and find a way to infiltrate his network.”

Bristol sat back as Jared drove toward Everett Holloway’s office in posh Lake Oswego. She nearly preened like a cat in the warm sun pouring through the windows. Sunny days were rare most of the year, so she loved summer days that were most often sunny and dry. She wished she could relax and enjoy it more today, but their upcoming meeting had her gut tight with worry.

She twisted the three-carat wedding ring on her finger, the diamond catching in the light and glittering around the vehicle’s interior. In the real world, she wouldn’t want such an ostentatious ring. This fit the wealthy couple they were trying to play. A married couple. Her and Jared married.Oof.

She let her undercover name play in her mind.

Christine Young. Mrs. Shawn Young.

A fine name. One she could remember. But the second version sent her head spinning. After spending time with Jared again, she wanted to forget how he’d hurt her and ask if he might want to try dating after they’d found Luna and returned her to her parents.

Fool. You don’t need to get burned a second time. Be careful. Ignore these feelings. Don’t get caught up in pretending.

And don’t bail. Even if Bristol had second thoughts about this undercover operation, she would continue. She would do anything she could to find Luna and bring her home. If that meant playing house with Jared, she would give her very best performance.

She crossed her legs and pressed out the pleats in her skirt. She dangled one of the infernal heels she’d borrowed from Londyn. Piper had given Christine and Shawn Young ample bank accounts to stop Holloway from questioning their ability to buy a child. Bristol had to dress the part. Of course she couldn’t wear her uniform, and her basic wardrobe of jeans and T’s didn’t quite cut it. Londyn was a detective, but she embraced her feminine side at work to put people off guard around her and filled her closet with professional clothing.

Jared already looked the part in his tailored suits. She glanced at the gray one he wore today, tailored to his toned physique. He’d paired it with another white shirt and red and black striped tie.

What did he wear in his downtime? He used to be a jeans and T kind of guy too, but then that was for camp, not the business world. Or the world of undercover stings.

“You’re fidgeting,” he said.

“Not used to dressing this way or wearing such an expensive piece of jewelry.” She released her ring. “I’m still more comfortable in my jeans and kicks.”

“Me too, but it’s not appreciated at my office.” He laughed. “Maybe we should’ve decided to go casual so you’d be more relaxed.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “It might not be bad to be a bit jittery when we’re trying to do something illegal.”

“Or it might put Holloway off.”

“Yeah, it might.” She scrubbed her hands on the rich fabric of her skirt again. “Then I need to get rid of these nerves.”

“Just keep thinking about our past, and you’ll get it,” he said, clearly oblivious to the fact that thinking of their past was even harder. “I’m glad Piper at least built our identities on our history so we don’t need to make that up.”

Sure. Maybe.At least it hadn’t been uncomfortable sharing the details with Piper. Not that Piper had been judgmental. She just took the facts and created a bio. Unlike the task force leaders. Adair had to question that one point, right?

She peered out the window at skies that had darkened into a heavy gray veil and a fine mist now coated the roads.

“How do you like the occupation Piper assigned to you?” he asked.

“It’s interesting. I’ve never considered being a human resource manager but my patrol experience has given me skills in reading and helping people. Skills in diffusing situations too.” She swiveled to look at him. “Come to think of it, being a part of such a big extended family did the same thing.”

“I was glad to meet your family,” he said. “I always wanted to. Especially your parents.”

She grabbed onto the door handle not to turn and gape at him. She’d once thought about taking him home to meet her family, but when he ended things, she was so glad she’d chickened out.

“I can almost hear your thoughts. Bringing a guy home to mom and dad is a big deal.” He chuckled. “I didn’t mean it that way. I just wanted to meet them. From everything you once told me, I can tell they’re great people. You have the kind of family I always wanted. Your grandparents showing up this morning with that feast proves it.”

And she’d wanted to melt into a puddle instead of being proud of them. Talk about being ungrateful and putting her priorities in the wrong place. “You’re right. They’re the best. So are the rest of my family. I take them for granted, but I know I shouldn’t.” Her thoughts traveled to her brother, and her heart creased with grief nearly as fresh as the day he died.

Jared stopped at a light and watched her. “What’s wrong?”

“Thinking about Thomas.” She blinked back a wash of tears. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get over losing him.”

Jared shook his head. “I’m not close to my brother and sister. But I know losing either of them would be hard.”

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