“You’re fucking touched, dude.”
If I had to go rogue to solve a case, there was no one I wanted at my side more than Ryan “G” Gibson. He’d pound on a problem until he’d solved it. And he’d eliminate anyone who needed to be put down. Being lethal with his hands and most weapons made him dangerous, but it was his mind that our enemies needed to fear.
Gibson was brains and brawn, and I got a kick out of watching people underestimate him.
“Don’t you forget it.”
“Hi, Meg. John’s expecting us.”
“Hey, Austin. He’ll be right down.”
“Nice office,” Gibson said after surveying the bright, spacious lobby lit by sunlight flowing through the second story skylight.
“It’s new.”
“I know.” I could hear the humor in his voice, despite it not showing on his face.
Like me, he’d done his homework and knew more about SSI and everyone who worked there than they’d be comfortable with us knowing.
“Winchester. Gibson,” Jay greeted us as he approached the reception desk. “Thanks, Meg. I’ll take them up.”
She gave him a lazy salute and went back to typing at her desk.
Glass walls lined the large conference room on the second floor.
Not secure.
I could see John, Jamie, Jack, Cate, and Doug inside.
“Did he call in everyone?” Gibson asked.
“Blaszek and Robinson aren’t here,” Jay answered.
Nathan Blaszek. Navy SEAL and civilian black ops. Captured while doing deep undercover work infiltrating a domestic terrorist cell. Married to Ashley York. Soon to be a father.
Matthew Robinson. Troubled youth who spent teen years on a ranch for wayward kids before joining the Navy and becoming a SEAL.
On paper, everyone at SSI was top-notch and trustworthy.
In reality, they’d have to earn my trust.
“John, can we speak in private for a moment?”
“No. This is bigger than your secret.” He looked at everyone in the room. “I trust my team.”
Half of whom were my family.
“John,” I used my authoritative, government badge-holding voice.
“Austin.” John was one hundred percent unphased.
Gibson laughed at my uncomfortable standoff with my uncle. “Your call, boss.”
“Take a seat,” John said.
Gibson did. I didn’t.
John grinned.
