Page 41 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

“I believe I asked you not to assign this team to this mission.”

“You know I’ve always thought—over my thirty-plus years of doing this job—there was something missing from my decision-making process,” he says, pausing dramatically. “I’m so glad to finally realize that it was getting Millie Marsh’s approval.”

“Funny. Seriously. You missed your calling as a comedian,” I say as I glance back over at Mason. “And I didn’t say you needed my approval. I was asking you for a favor.”

“And your favor has been denied. He’s the best person for this mission. His team is the best. Stay in your lane, Agent Marsh.”

“All righty then,” I say as I start to walk away.

He grabs my shoulder and turns me back around. “Millie, Chase told me what’s happening. I was there that day, too. Mack isn’t alive. I want him to be for you—for all of us. He’s not, though. I’m so sorry, but he’s not.”

I stare at him blankly for a minute, but then nod. He pats me on the shoulder as he walks away. I look back to Mason, who hasn’t moved a muscle. As discreetly as possible, I make my way across the room to him. He doesn’t make any attempt at civility.

“Hey,” I say quietly.

He shakes his head in disgust. I stare back at him for a second, but as always, I know I’m not going to win a staring contest with him, so I try again. “Are you going to talk to me?”

“Yeah, I’ll talk to you. How about this?” he hisses. “What the fuck, Millie? Were you going to tell me about this? Or are we back to you hiding secrets from me? That worked out so well last time. You told Culver not to let my team cover this? That’s too fucking far, Millie. Way too far.”

I keep my voice low and calm, trying to stay professional. “Don’t you think this is a conflict of interest? Your team covering me on this.”

“It’s a huge conflict of interest, which is how I know you’re going to get back here safely,” he says, the anger pouring out of his mouth. “You want to lie to me? That’s up to you. But if you’re going to do this ludicrous thing, I’m going with you. Not a chance in hell I’m letting someone else be responsible after what happened last time.”

“This kind of emotion is what I’m talking about. You’re not being objective. That’s the reason I wanted someone else.”

“What did you say to me?” He uncrosses his arms and pushes himself off the wall. He gets inches from my face. “Did you say I’m too emotional to do my job?”

“That’s not what I said,” I say quickly.

“That’s exactly what you said. You worry about your job. I’ll take care of mine.”

He takes a seat next to JJ at the table. They both stare at me—arms folded, eyes cold and hard. I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to fix this when I hear an enthusiastic “My girl Millie!” coming from the direction of the door. The voice sounds unsettlingly familiar—like a part of my past suddenly slapping me in the face. I look over to see my ex-boyfriend Alex walking over to me—his arms spread as wide as his smile.

Before I can even register what’s happening, Alex surrounds me in a bear hug, burying my face against his chest. He holds me there for what is way too long to be professional. I’m so confused, I don’t have the power to pull away. Finally he loosens his grip and pushes me back a little bit.

“Damn, girl, I don’t look that much older, do I?” He smiles widely again with that gleaming white, perfectly straight grin that hypnotized me for most of my first year at the agency.

“What are you doing here?” I’ve finally found my voice. I take a few steps back from him.

“What do you mean? I’m here to work the op with you,” he says, laughing. “Didn’t George tell you?”

I look at Raine, who puts her hands up defensively and quickly walks away.

“No. He definitely didn’t tell me you were part of this op.”

“Well, I’m not just part of this op—I’m undercover as your husband,” he says, grinning. “Perfect person for the job. Don’t you think?”

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