Page 93 of Code Name: Phoenix

Judging by his question, they haven’t narrowed down the traitor yet, and this will work in my favor.

“No, but I’ve almost always been with someone. You don’t know who it could be?” I’m no longer interested in this conversation. I already know more than they do.

“Right now, we only know who it isn’t, and it’s not a long enough list to keep you safe.”

“You mentioned a mission today. Is Jack going?” I hope he’ll think I’m asking for my own sense of security.

“No, he’ll be staying back here.” He takes a long pause, staring me down. My first instinct is to fill the silence, but I wait a little longer. Logan’s jaw clenches before he inhales deeply. “Listen, some intel has come in on Maxwell’s location. It’s nothing exact.” His soft chuckle to himself carries no humor. “We think he’s somewhere in the lower half of California. Not a lot to go on, but it’s enough that we’re sending a couple of teams out to our base in Arizona. We’ve arranged for backup to take their place here. They should be arriving tomorrow evening.”

For a moment, I’m surprised Logan offered me the additional information. After last night, we’ve crossed a line. Either he feels guilty about what happened and this is an olive branch, or he’s decided that this will open communication between us.

Once again, I’m reminded of how often I’m underestimated.

My job will have to happen before their team returns, to limit the number of bodies on base, but knowing they have a base in Arizona may prove useful.

I decide not to push my luck with further questions.

Logan and Jack are smart. They won’t let anyone out on that mission if they haven’t cleared them, so I know Hunter will be kept behind, along with any others still left on their list.

After the team departs, I’ll get a better idea of who I have left to work with.

CHAPTER33

JACK

A smile effortlessly tugs at my cheeks as Jessa laughs with Dana while they work in the kitchen.

After Jessa walked out of the office, with Logan behind her, my day became a series of nonstop tasks and checklists.

With the majority of our tactical team on the way to their assignment, we were short-staffed on base. Between all of the guys we held back, three of them had moments when they were either temporarily missing or not where they should have been, which has Logan distracted and my stress level at an all-time high.

Only Grey stayed with us the entire time.

Both Hunter and Waldo disappeared at awkward times with no real excuse as to why they were gone. Grizz showed up to prep late without even offering an excuse. I’m going to assume it was because of Dana, as this is out of character for him.

Link was with us through comms the whole time, and his team ran simulations and tests as we packed.

Jessa and Dana stayed out of our way, for the most part. Jessa dropped by to ask if she could grab us any supplies from the kitchen, but Logan politely dismissed her.

We need to keep in mind that, until we find a way to take care of Maxwell, no one is to be fully trusted, and he’s granted a lot of leniency where Jessa is concerned.

As Tex and Eagle drive our two units off base, a low growl in my stomach reminds me we missed lunch. Not only that, but with most of our team deployed, we forgot to schedule kitchen staff for supper. So when the women ask if they can make us dinner, everyone left on base jumps at the chance for a decent meal.

I can’t help but feel smug watching my girl work happily in the kitchen.

Logan was on edge because we needed all hands on deck today, but his concerns weren’t necessary.

He checked with Link earlier and confirmed neither of the women went anywhere near the comms area, and Jessa made no attempts to access anything other than the microwave when they heated up some leftovers for their lunch earlier.

“How many of you are left?” Dana’s head pops up from the cutting table as she continues to chop. “We need to know how many plates to set.”

“Oh, uh…” Quickly doing the math in my head, I count the six of us and add the two women. “Eight in total, including you two.”

She nods, then immediately shouts over her shoulder to Jessa, “Eight plates, Jay.”

There’s a faint reply from the pantry.

This is a welcome change from my every day. It has always been just the guys on base, and none of us have exemplary culinary skills. Hearing their laughter brings a sense of home to our compound. It’s a familiarity I didn’t know I missed until now.

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