Page 6 of Covert Obsession

“Approximately three and a half years.”

Three years, eight months, fourteen days.Who’s counting? “Your point?”

“In all that time, has Moe ever jeopardized a mission?”

“A positive past outcome does not ensure a future one. Things have changed.”

“Because we caught the kidnappers who killed his older brother or because he didn’t voluntarily tell you about the Concordia Group and its ties to his family before they showed on our radar?”

Parker eased off the door, returning to her chair and picking up her device. “This has nothing to do with what he has or hasn’t told me. I’ve been watching him since that night at the fundraiser—it’s what I do, you know, study people. He’s scattered, untethered. The only reason he’s worked for SFI was to get leads on them so he could exact justice. Now that he has, he doesn’t know what to do with himself. That’s been his only focus since he was a kid. As this mission deals with an abduction, it could trigger things he’s buried and cause us to fail.” Pulling the next card was risky, and while her emotions felt raw under her bravado, she charged ahead. “You put me in charge of this division for a reason. It’s my call.”

“And a difficult one at that, but let me remind you of something.” She leaned forward, placing her hands on top of the folder. “Every person at SFI has secrets, and we all have triggers. Occasionally, those come to light and we work through them together. If someone needs to be sidelined, I’ll be the first to handle it and insist they get the help they need for their mental and physical well-being. That’s not on your shoulders. That’s on mine. I appreciate your recommendation, but I disagree with your evaluation. Moe is working through his issues to the best of his ability, and no matter what happens, he will not jeopardize his team. I guarantee it. He’s the expert that we need. He’s also the only person who will look past the obvious and hunt down every potential lead. Don’t strangle him, Parker. Give him a chance.”

Under her cool exterior, her hackles rose. The Queen Bee had put her foot down and crossing her could jeopardize everything Parker had worked for. Taking Moe on this assignment, however, could jeopardize other people’s lives. The one thing Parker would not do. “I suggest a compromise.”

“I’m listening.”

“Send Vivi with us. Although Moe refuses therapy, she can keep an eye on him and evaluate his mental and emotional stability while we’re working. If she suspects he’s unstable, I’ll pull him. I’ll have Trace, and whoever Cal brings as bodyguards, fill in. One of them can take Moe’s place if needed.”

The laser beams intensified, and it was all she could do not to squirm. After a long moment, when Parker thought her employment might have come to an end, Beatrice stood, picking up the folder and tapping it on the table. “She has work to do here, and sending her with your team undermines their confidence. Even if I make up a story that I need her there to evaluate the members of Ghost Fox, or profile our kidnappers, every person on your team will suspect she’s watching them and reporting back to me. You’re in charge, and you’ll keep an eye on Moe. If at any point you deem it necessary to remove him from the mission, I’ll respect that, but you better have hard facts. Whether or not the two of you have an intimate relationship makes no difference to me, but if it’s going to interfere with your ability to appoint him, or complete those assignments with him as an active team member, I will remove you as leader of covert operations.”

Parker flinched. A slap in the face.

More like a punch in the gut.

She gripped the back of the chair. Forced herself to release it, unwilling to show Beatrice she felt betrayed. “If you don’t trust my judgment, youshouldremove me from my position.”

Drawing a line in the sand was stupid. Beatrice rose and walked to Parker, face-to-face. The laser beams softened. “I trust you with the lives of my men, and that is the biggest vote of confidence I would give anybody. You will make decisions that are best for the group. Everyone here, including you, is my family, and I give you the freedom and support to do what needs to be done in any situation.” She leaned a hip against the table. “I’ll give you Jeb as an alternate should the need arise, all right? But you need to work outyourissues with Moe, rather than insisting he work through his over what happened to him as a kid. You can do that when you return. For now, we have a woman whose life is on the line and the clock is ticking. I need you to compartmentalize your emotional ties to my field operative, and do your job.”

It was equal parts a pat on the head and a warning. Parker hugged her tablet to her chest, a shield over her heart. She loved this place, loved her job. Her sister was married to Trace, and Beatrice had saved all of them from ending up six feet under. She owed this woman, but mostly she wanted them to be friends. Most of the time they were. “We’ll bring her home.”

Beatrice dismissed her with a nod and walked out, leaving the door open.

Parker blew out a breath. Her pulse continued skipping and she took a moment to calm her nerves and get her thoughts in order. There weren’t many who could go up against their leader and not be rattled.

Beatrice had offered Jeb for the team, and the old spymaster was a favorite of Parker’s. Knowing he’d be with them, and that Beatrice respected Parker enough to compromise at least that much this once, made her feel better.

When she turned around, she found Moe in the doorway watching her. He blocked her exit, an unreadable expression on his face.

Which, she had learned, was the most dangerous one he possessed. Her pulse skipped again.

“Trying to ditch me, luv?”

The bastard had been listening. But how? The conference room had soundproof walls to make sure nobody inside, or out, could eavesdrop. Everything discussed here was strictly confidential.

Redirection was her line of defense. “Why aren’t you getting ready to leave?”

“You don’t want me on this gig. Figured you were making a deal with the boss to get me kicked off.” At her raised brows, he gave her a knowing expression. “No, I don’t have superior hearing. It was written all over your face during the meeting.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” She started to march past. Insouciant, he leaned a shoulder on the frame, keeping her trapped. She hugged the tablet tighter, ignoring the challenge in his gaze. Second line of defense: the ticking clock of the mission. “We need to get moving. Our victim’s life depends on our rapid response.”

He reached out, teasing a finger down her arm. “I know you think I’m a bloody screwup, and you’re not wrong. I give you my word, though—I won’t let you down. I need this. Need the work to keep my mind on track.”

She’d always been good at bluffing, and now seemed an ideal time to use that skill. “I’ll keep you on the team with two conditions.” As if she had a choice.

He straightened, looking both surprised that she was actually considering ditching him, as well as wary of her offer. “They are?”

“First…” Her guts crawled, but she had to do this. “We have new, clearer boundaries. For now, I’m your boss, not your girlfriend. Our personal relationship is on hold. Once this mission is over, we’ll figure out where we stand with each other and regroup.”

---