Page 50 of Brooks

“And will they?” Thad asked Tatiana.

“If they see us, yes,” she answered.

“Then we make ourselves visible,” Declan said. “I don’t want any loose ends following us around Saudi Arabia. Or some sort of revenge scenario a few years from now.”

“Agreed,” I told him. Tatiana seemed to be deep in contemplation. “What’s wrong, Doll?”

“Maybe we need to reconsider me staying with the team. Nazari is after me. If I—”

“No,” I cut her off.

“Zane thought you might say something like that,” Garrett cut in. “He sent a message. Let me read it so I don’t leave anything out. And I quote, ‘Suck it up, buttercup. Being part of a team is taking care of one another. Something those CIA fucks know nothing about. You’re not abandoning your team or your mission.’ End quote.”

“But if I—”

“Not happening,” I told her.

“I could—”

“No.”

“Brooks! Stop fucking interrupting me for fuck’s sake, you’re annoying as shit. I could head to Al Qatif by myself, handle the Nazari issue, and meet back up with you guys tomorrow. That way we’re not behind schedule.”

I was trying to keep my cool. But my patience was fast running out. It seemed Tatiana wanted to ditch me every chance she got. She’d already run out once and I had to damn near bribe her to get her to come back to the compound with me. This shit was getting old. Maybe I was wrong, maybe she didn’t feel the same connection I felt.

“Either you’re a part of the team or you’re not. Your choice, Tatiana. None of us is going to beg you to stay. In or out, make a fucking decision and stick with it.” Her wide eyes came to mine and they flashed something new, injury. Too damn bad, we didn’t have time for bullshit, and if she took offense to me being straight with her, tough titties. “Garrett, you got anything else for us?”

“Negative. Coordinates and mission codes have been sent to all of you. Good luck, be safe, and stay dangerous.” Garrett disconnected.

“We’re out in five,” Declan called out, as he left the room.

Max, Thad, and Kyle all followed Dec, leaving Tatiana and I alone.

“Got anything else you wanna get off your chest?” she snapped.

“You got some brass balls, that’s for sure, Tatiana.”

“What does that mean?”

“Trying to put your shit on me. If you’re having second thoughts about being on this team, now’s the time to speak up. We’re getting ready to go into an uncertain situation and I need to know if you’re all in. If you’re not, hit the road.”

“Nice.”

“Nothing nice about it.”

She rolled her eyes and asked, “You always act like a child when you’re pissed?”

Was that what this was? Was I behaving like a pansy ass because I had a case of the feels? I wouldn’t know, I’d never been in a situation like this. She was hot for me one minute, running the next. Not ever had I been so knotted up over a woman. Especially one who had ghosted me and pushed me away whenever she could.

I took the two steps needed to come face-to-face with her. She stood straighter and pushed her shoulders back readying herself for battle. “What are you so afraid of?” I asked.

“I’m not afraid.” Her eyes went from mine to somewhere behind me.

“Eyes on me.” It took a minute but when her gaze landed back to mine, I finished. “I know that douchebag ex of yours let you down, but I’m thinking it’s more than that. Someone else fucked you over. My guess is someone you worked with in the CIA. You can deny it all you want, but you're scared as shit.”

“No one let me down.”

“Then why are you so afraid?”