Page 56 of Brooks

The whole scene was forever imprinted on my mind. I really hoped the intel was bad and Sefa was not Matek Nazari’s daughter. It wasn’t like it would be all that hard for a man like Nazari to get a forged birth certificate made. If that was the case, the question was, why the hell go through all the trouble? It wasn’t like it would’ve been frowned upon for him to take a new wife after the first one died. The age difference wouldn’t even be an issue. The whole situation was bizarre. And totally gross.

“I don’t feel comfortable engaging on an unknown woman,” Declan said. “If she’s an innocent being forced into some sort of sex… I don’t even know what to call what they’re doing. Bottom line is, we’re not going in until we have good intel on the woman.”

Everyone gave their agreeance but something was bothering me.

"I don't think she's a victim," I told the guys.

"Why?" Kyle asked.

"I've followed her. She goes out alone, meets with friends. There are no guards. If she’s being held against her will, there have been plenty of times she could've escaped."

"There are many ways to force someone into a situation. You don't always need guns and guards to do it," Declan reminded me.

"There are, yes. But she's complicit in his smuggling operation. I've seen it. My gut is telling me she's an opportunist, not a victim."

I regretted my words as soon as I'd said them. Why would anyone in the room take me seriously after our discussion in the car? I'd admitted I didn't trust myself anymore, yet there I was telling the team I only had a gut feeling, no facts to go on.

"You could be right. Let's see what Tex and Garrett dig up and we'll go from there."

That was Declan's way of nicely dismissing my opinion. I appreciated he hadn't called me out in front of everyone.

"And for the record, Tatiana, if you believe she's in on it, I trust your insight. I’m not questioning you. I just think we need to know more about this woman and where she came from.”

“What did you guys find?” Brooks asked Max and Thad.

“Nothing useful,” Thad answered. “Just confirmation he’s been seen in the area.”

“I’m gonna grab a beer. Anyone else?” Kyle asked, already walking toward the kitchen.

“A beer?” I questioned.

“One of the many perks of working for Z Corps. Fully stocked fridge in all our safehouses,” Brooks informed me.

The other four men called out their yeses. As good as a beer sounded, a shower sounded even better.

“I’m gonna get a shower in first,” I told the guys.

Brooks’ gaze shifted to mine and a wicked smile tugged at his lips. Tingles hit me in all the right places and with great difficulty I kept my face blank. Visions of his naughty promise filled my mind, I had to get away from him before I lost the battle and my cheeks heated.

Not waiting for anyone to acknowledge my announcement, I left the room as quickly as I could without looking like I was fleeing a crime scene. By the masculine chuckles behind me, I’d failed. Whatever. I was beyond being embarrassed. Not to mention, the condo we were now staying in only had three bedrooms. Two of the rooms had two twin-sized beds and the third had only one bed. A full-sized. Guess which room I was assigned to? A full-sized bed was barely big enough for a man Brooks’ size. The two of us would be crammed on top of each other. The thought made the tingling from earlier reappear. In an effort to not think about tonight’s sleeping arrangements, I opened my backpack and rummaged through the contents, finding something clean to change into.

My cell phone vibrated, startling me. Shit, I’d forgotten I hadn’t checked in with Leon in over twelve hours. Was I still supposed to be checking in with him? Z Corps had officially taken over my employment and neither Zane nor Leon had clarified who I was working for. Just because Zane was now signing my paychecks didn’t mean I no longer worked for The Company.

I found my phone as the call went to voicemail. Three missed calls from Leon. Interesting. He’d never called three times back to back before. Not bothering to check the voicemails he’s left, I returned his call.

“There you are,” he barked.

“Hello, Leon. How are you?”

My question was met with silence. He was probably rolling his eyes at my attempt of politeness.

“Great. Listen, there’s been a shift. I have a job for you.”

“Okay.” I drew the word out and unease hit my stomach.

“Sefa Nazari.”

“What about her?”