Chris knew she was with family, but it was still difficult to let her do this. There was no doubt it damaged her heart and soul. While his wife fought for justice, she was a gentle soul with a big heart beneath it.
Plus, he knew the Marines were good people. He had faith in them, and his wife.
Still though…
Chris was to the point.
“MAKE. HIM. BLEED,”he said. “He dug up her parents, and I take that personally. Charlie LaRue was my dad too.”
Well, that said it all.
Someone who defiled graves was a sick fuck.
When the ME, who they knew was incredibly calm and gentle, said those words, there was no doubt it was a shitshow going down. It was obvious that the man was done with the bullshit.
“Gotcha, Doc.”
When the morgue doors opened, in came Ethan and Callen, followed by more security.
As soon as they saw her, the Marines saluted the Major, since she was the highest-ranking Marine in the room.
So, even though she was out of uniform, she saluted back. It was a tough habit to break.
“Hey, guys,” she said. “I’m sorry that Jet was killed,” she stated, giving them her condolences. “He was a fine Marine, and a good man.”
They all appreciated that.
Only, Ivan didn’t mince words. He couldn’t save Jet, but he could save the woman he considered his sister.
Already, he was off to the races with exactly what they assumed he’d lead with today—despite her telling him she’d fire his ass in a heartbeat.
Well, then, she couldn’t stop him, now could she?
“I want to go with you.”
Gene sighed.
“When will you stop being crazy?” he asked. “She already told you she’d fire your ass and send you back to DC to be reassigned. Now isNOTthe time to mess with her,” Gene stated. “She is a woman on the edge.”
Ivan shrugged.
Fuck that.
He’d take the reassignment, and her anger. The last thing he wanted was to see her hurt.
“She’s my responsibility. I should be there with her. You’re not a Marine. I am.”
Maura defused it when Gene rolled his eyes.
“Maybe having you there will get her hurt. She cares more about all of you than herself. You’ll be a distraction, Ivan. As for Gene not being a Marine, he’s worked with us.”
He pointed at Gene.
“Again,NOT A MARINE.”
That actually made Gene laugh.
“My dude, you might think that I’m just Ethan’s sexy bed bear, but I wasLITERALLYone of them. I was a Hunter. I’m going because I’ve done this before. You’re not a better Hunter than I am. You’re just a better Marine.”
