Page 70 of Special Agent Isabella

“I can’t. Not yet. After the next few operations, and I can walk… maybe.”

“Sergeant Major, I don’t know you. But I do know your wife and daughter, Abbie. They were both devastated to have lost you from their lives. It won’t matter at all to either of them that you’re different in any way. If your heart is intact, and you’re still the man they remember, they’ll be thrilled to have you home. I know, I would be.”

He’d flinched when she mentioned the child. His hands had clenched on the arms of his chair. His head shook back and forth, a strangled ‘no’ coming from between his lips. “My little girl will run from me. And my wife will pity me.”

Hands clenched on her hips, she let him have it. “Jesus, man, you’re the only one filled withpity. For yourself. Move on. Think about them. About how much they need you.”

As if she’d slapped his face, he wrenched his body back. Then he began to wheel away, his attitude screaming that she needed to let him go.

Not knowing what to do, she watched him until he reached the corner and then was lost to sight. Should she run after him and apologize? Everything she knew about human nature told her no. The man needed to be the one who made the choice.

Heartsore, but her mind made up, she knew she would say nothing.

ChapterFifty-Six

Tanner waited until he had Bella alone before he explained her new assignment for that night.

“Seriously? You want me to go on a date with the assholes responsible for all the shit happening to Stacy? Sweet! Of course, I’ll go.”

“They identify as a radical group called Extreme Faction. They’re against the governor’s politics and intend to stop her from vetoing the upcoming bills they want passed. We both know they’ll do anything, so it could be highly dangerous.” Tanner had been watching her reaction closely.

“And they’ve decided that killing her will get them what they want?”

“Seems like.”

“Well I’ll tell you what I’d like. I’d like to see every one of those disgusting wingnuts in a jail cell where they belong. If they have a problem with a law, there’s a legal way to deal with that. And it’s not by threatening, harassing, or killing those they don’t like in office.”

“That’s my girl.” Tanner took her in his arms and kissed her until he knew he either had to stop or they’d never get to their appointment. When had she become so welcoming and responsive? He pulled back and stared into eyes that held a secret. He stiffened. Then he had a short talk to himself that went something like –it’s not your business, buddy. She’ll share when she’s ready. Back off.

“Okay, first we grab some supper, and then we need to get to the van where we’ve set up our security. We’ll be in the vicinity, as passersby and gardeners so you won’t be that far from us at any time.”

“Do I need to bring anything special with me?”

“Just your gun and a mic we’ll fit you with. I want us to be in contact the whole time Izzie.” He patted her cheek teasingly. The worry in his eyes was the only reason she didn’t swat away his hand.

Pretending to be angry at his use of the same nickname he’d tortured her with back in their younger days, she glared daggers, turned away, and hid her grin.

Bella loved the idea of getting some action in this assignment. She’d felt useless every time Tanner had worked the case as an FBI agent. She loved Abbie, there was no getting around that fact. The kid had wormed her way into Bella’s soft side, and she would go to any lengths to keep her safe. But babysitting wasn’t a part of her resume.

With the heart-pounding excitement of working undercover still simmering inside her, she craved the feeling of knowing she was doing her job and making a difference.

Dressing in a way she figured would be acceptable to a bunch of anarchists, she wore mostly black and tugged a hat over her hair, tucking it all inside. Then she left off her makeup, wore scruffy boots and a raggedy looking sweater. Under the bagginess, she slipped her gun in the waistband of her jogging pants.

* * *

Ready, knowing that Tanner waited either in a van not far from the meeting place or he’d taken up a position nearby, she wandered around the state building until she came across the group of protesters. Walking up to the one with the megaphone, she winked and said, “I’m Izzie.”

When the heavyset woman stopped screeching for a minute to take her in, she hoped she wouldn’t be recognized. Bella had a good memory for faces. And she could picture this one from a week ago behind the wheel of a car trying to force her off the road… and when that didn’t work, giving her the finger.

“Hey. Glad you could make it. There’s a pile of backpacks over there with the others. Choose one, and I’ll be with you in a minute.”

“Sure thing.” Bella spotted a smaller group of people, many of them females. They seemed to be hovering over a pile of dark, bulging packs on the ground. When she walked up to them, some ignored her, but a few reached out to invite her in. “Hey, Rose told us you were coming tonight. Glad to have you.”

“I’m Izzie. Glad to be here. What’s the plan?”

“We have to wait for the boss. She’s got it all organized.”

“Right. Happy to be finally doing something about this situation, right?”

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