Page 25 of False Sins

“Mercenaries,” Pegasus explained, seeing Jane’s confused look.

Bridger’s eyes took on a faraway look as he continued. “Pegs was my handler. I’d probably be dead if she hadn’t shown up out of nowhere like some avenging Valkyrie. Took out two guys twice her size without breaking a sweat. After we got clear, she told me she’d been tracking those men for months as part of her own operation. Decided to help me out as a bonus.”

Jane smiled, picturing the petite but fierce woman easily besting armed thugs.

“We’ve had each other’s backs ever since,” he said. “She’s the closest thing I have to family.” Bridger’s voice held a note of sadness that made Jane’s heart ache for him. What had this man been through to end up so alone? She hoped her faith in him was not misplaced.

Pegs’ mouth flattened into a hard line. She set her mug down with a click, turning back to the fog-shrouded view.

“Well, I’m glad she was there for you,” Jane said softly. Glad that his mentor heard the emotion in his voice, too. These two obviously avoided emotion at all costs.

Another cost of the spy life. She’d watched Jason close up over the years, too.

Bridger met her eyes again, his expression open and vulnerable in a way she hadn’t seen before. The moment stretched between them, both unsure what came next but sensing it could change everything.

Jane broke the eye contact first, clearing her throat awkwardly.

“So, um, this Consortium you all keep mentioning,” she said, trying to steer the conversation to less dangerous waters. “Are you ever going to tell me what it is?”

Bridger’s shutters came down immediately, his face closing off. “It’s not important right now,” he said brusquely. “We need to focus on the threat in front of us.”

Jane bit her lip in frustration. “How do you know it’s not connected?” she persisted. “This could be much bigger than you realize.”

Bridger eyed his mentor before shaking his head. “The Consortium wouldn’t have any interest in his small-time operation.”

“But how can you be sure?” Jane asked. “If you just told me more about them?—”

“Enough.” Pegasus’s voice was sharp. “This isn’t our story to tell.”

Jane turned to the older woman beseechingly. “Please. My brother was one of you. I deserve to know the truth.”

Pegasus’s expression softened slightly. “When the time is right, your brother and Bridger’ll explain everything. For now, you’ll just have to trust us.”

Jane sighed, recognizing she would get no further answers today. But she wasn’t done asking questions. When this was over, Bridger owed her some honesty.

He met her eyes, his gaze intent. “Let’s get this junk with your ex out of the way. I promise we’ll sit down and I’ll tell you anything you want to know. But right now, we need to concentrate on keeping you safe.”

Jane nodded slowly. As frustrating as it was, he had a point. And she believed he meant what he said about talking later.

“Okay,” she conceded. “Pete first. But after...”

“After, no more secrets,” Bridger agreed.

Jane felt a flutter of anticipation in her stomach. When this was over, maybe they could explore whatever was growing between them. But only if he was finally ready to open up completely.

A chime sounded from Bridger’s laptop on the kitchen table. He glanced at the screen.

“It’s Tai,” he said, tapping to accept the video call.

Tai’s face appeared on the screen, his dark eyes glinting with humor as he took in Bridger’s disheveled state.

“You look terrible,” Tai teased. “Bullets not agree with you?”

Bridger rolled his eyes while Pegasus chuckled. “Still a charmer,” she said affectionately.

Tai jutted his bearded chin at Pegs. “He good?”

She nodded. “He’ll do.”

---