Page 15 of Wild Card (The Trident Trilogy 3)

“Nope, this is a first,” I say, grinning as I look down at Millie.

“Sorry,” she says, biting her lip.

“No, please. You’re doing a great job. Continue,” I say, putting my gun back in my waistband.

She rolls her eyes, but continues, “Who’s your driver? He gives his keys to Mason.”

Ward nods at a guy who reluctantly steps forward and hands me the keys.

“Did I miss anything?” Millie says, looking up at me.

Mack and I are still laughing. “We’ll search the inside of the car before you get in, but A-plus for effort, babe.”

Ty heads over to the car when I signal him. One of the Feds tries to step in front of him, but he knows he’s worthless without his weapon. As Ty crawls into the back of the limo, I pull Millie back a few steps. Mack and Chase join us.

“Millie, you need to have one of us in there with you,” Chase says, beating Mack and me to the punch.

“C’mon, Chase. You remember how Paul works. He’s not saying anything to me unless we’re alone.”

Mack turns her toward him. “If he tries to overpower you, can you take him?”

“Dad,” she says, sighing. “He’s a hundred years old. Of course, I can take him.”

“We don’t know what kind of training he has—”

“He was an analyst before he got this position. He’s a pencil pusher. I’ve got this. Plus, even if he could take me—which he can’t—what’s he going to do next? He has no weapons, no backup. And why in the world would he want to harm me? I mean, to what end?”

She’s using her controlled but annoyed voice. When that tone comes out, I usually back off immediately.

“Don’t use that tone with me, Millie,” Mack says, getting down on her eye level. I guess dads aren’t as scared of that tone as boyfriends are. “I will physically restrain you if I have to. I’m giving you five minutes in that car and then we’re coming for you.”

She takes a deep breath and nods obediently. I wonder if Mack would teach me how to control her like that.

“Mase, the car’s clean,” Ty says, walking up to us. “And I searched the old guy. He’s clean, too.”

“Okay,” I say, following Millie as she walks toward the car.

“Five minutes, Millie,” Mack says from behind us.

I walk to the car and open the door for Millie. Ward looks up at me, “This is a private conversation.”

“For now it is,” I say as I close the door behind him.

* * *

---