Page 47 of For the Love of Animals

One word, and I shivered at his tone even though he was thousands of miles away. But Nate didn’t seem fazed.

“Is Emmy there?”

A pause. “She is now. Why?”

“I’ve got good news and bad news.”

“Benitez is still loose?”

“No, he’s locked up, but there’s going to be a small delay in my return stateside.”

“How much of a delay?”

Nate looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“A week,” I mouthed.

“Two weeks.”

Oh, Nate.

“You’re kidding me? What about Seattle?”

“Pale’s gonna take care of it.”

Black snorted down the phone. “Bet he’s thrilled.”

“Not really, but he’s coming anyway.”

“So why the delay?”

“I recruited a sniper. She’s good.”

“She?”

“Carmen Hernandez, formerly of GAFE.”

“Okay. I’ve heard of her. She is good, but that still doesn’t explain the delay.”

Black had heard of me? Really? That was kind of…flattering.

“I also married her.”

A choking sound came through the phone, followed by a female laughing her head off.

“Oh, this is brilliant.” She was English. I hadn’t expected that. “I’ve never seen Black speechless before. Is Carmen there?”

“Yes,” I said, but it came out croaky. I cleared my throat and tried again. “I’m here.”

“Congratulations, honey. Promise me you won’t take any of Nate’s shit.”

“I’m not.”

Nate grimaced. “Believe me, she’s not.”

“So the delay is for what? Your honeymoon?”

“We’re going to Australia.”

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