Page 35 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

He nods. “Agent Marsh.”

I turn back around to face him.

“I hope you find what you’re looking for. Surprisingly, I kind of like you.”

I stare at him for a second and leave without replying.

***

Chase and I ride back to the hotel in silence. Once we get there, I make him stand outside by the loud fountains as I tell him everything the director told me. He doesn’t say anything until I’m done talking.

Finally he takes a deep breath and says, “Are you okay? That’s the most important thing to me right now.”

“Yeah. It’s a lot, but I’m fine. I think he’s telling the truth.”

“You’re better at reading people than I am, so let’s assume he is. It still doesn’t mean Mack’s alive. But let’s find out. Put this bullshit to rest once and for all.” He pulls me to him and hugs me tightly. “Promise me you won’t get your hopes up. Swear to me.”

I rest my head on his chest and hug him back. “I promise. Let’s get this over with and get back home.”

“Agreed,” he says. “Are you okay if I go back to my room? I need to call Mariel, and it’s not going to be pretty.”

“Yeah. I’m good.”

“And you’re going to call Mason?”

“Yeah. I’ll call you after I talk to him.”

When I get to my room, I pick up my phone. He answers on one ring.

“Well, Millie Marsh,” Captain Culver says. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Hey, Captain. I think I’m going to be seeing you soon.”

“I hope for personal reasons, but from the tone of your voice, I’m guessing it’s for other reasons.”

“Yeah. I can’t talk about it on an unsecured line. But, yeah, I’m sure you’ll hear about it in the next few hours. In the meantime, I need to ask you a favor.”

“Anything,” he says. “You know that.”

“This mission is going to make Mason want to come back as team lead—“

“Millie,” he interrupts, “don’t even ask me to say no to him. I need him here, and that’s not within your purview to ask.”

“No. It’s not that,” I say slowly. “But I don’t want him on this mission. You know we’re dating. It would be a huge conflict of interest. Neither one of us could be objective. Will you promise me that?”

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