Page 14 of Zirkov

“You tell him, girl,” Maggie said, to which Sorcha lifted her chin in defiance.

“This is your doing, Magdalena. You’ll get her killed. Or is that the intent?”

“How dare you! I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked of me since the day Sutherland appointed me to be the liaison between our agencies. And I just risked my life to save one of your witnesses.Again, Warrior.” She knew the title aggravated him, but right now going on the offense offered her something to focus on other than the pain of knowing he didn’t trust her.

Zirkov gripped her arm and led her away from Sorcha and Stenikov. “Magdalena, what is this all about?”

“You don’t trust me with the new location.”

“I trust you.”

“Then tell me you don’t think I had anything to do with that og’dal’s death.”

Zirkov’s mouth opened, then closed.

Maggie jerked her arm free. “I thought so. You’ve never trusted me. It’s why you barely talk to me and you resist having me on ops. For God’s sake, you chose Kaci, an untrained civilian, to act as Gabriella’s decoy!”

“She bore a remarkable resemblance to Gabriella.”

“That’s an excuse, another in a long string. Konnitch told me everything. You put out a call for women and found the one that would pass as Gabriella without even thinking of me.”

“You have blonde hair and blue eyes. And you’re taller.”

“I could have pulled it off, no different than with Nala. Wigs, colored contacts… There are a lot of tricks. But you never even thought to use me, because you don’t trust me.”

Zirkov growled and dragged his hand over his face. “That’s not the reason. Your skills are as good as any marshal or warrior I’ve ever seen.”

“Then why do you always push me away?”

“Because…” He shut down again, on the verge of saying something important.

“I get it. Trust has to be earned. Well, Warrior,” she said, poking him in the chest. “That goes both ways.”

“Magdalena, you’re not the only one who’s read the files of the other agents in our circle.”

“What does that mean?”

“Explain where you were a year ago, between October and December.”

“I was visiting my mother and sister.”

“Maggie, you don’t have a sister.”

“Of course I do. Her name is…” It was right there, on the tip of her tongue, just out of reach. She rubbed her forehead, trying to soothe the acute stabbing pain.

The sound of glass breaking nearby spurred everyone into action.

Stenikov grabbed Sorcha’s hand again, but not before the woman pulled Maggie into a bear hug.

Maggie slipped a card with her contact information into Sorcha’s hands. “If they refuse to take you home first, contact me. I’ll make sure you get there.”

“Thank ye, Maarshuhl. For everythin’.”

“I’m the one who should thank you, Sorcha. It’s good to know someone believes in me.”

Stenikov and his charge clung to the shadows as they escaped the alley, leaving Maggie alone with Zirkov.

“My sister’s name is Tallulah,” Maggie finally said, her memory bouncing back as the pain receded. When she looked up at those amazing silver eyes, Zirkov no longer looked angry but worried. With a large, warm hand that made her want to melt against him, he cupped her face. For a brief moment, she felt at peace with the universe. All because Zirkov touched her, looking into her eyes with a softness she’d never seen in him.

---