Page 71 of Until the End

They had never worked with each other before, brought together and kept anonymous by Bravo’s current boss.

“Look in his eyes,” Echo said. “You’ll see nothing staring back. Bravo will grease you and not think twice about it afterward. We’re already short one dude. Just shake it off.”

Charlie yanked away from Echo, swallowed his pride, and tucked his tail between his legs. Like a good little foot soldier.

Bravo turned and stared at the calming water, refusing to let his temper rise an undignified notch further. Leaders needed to represent strength and inspire confidence. He was failing in the latter.

“This didn’t play out as I had hoped,” Bravo admitted, “but whoever is going after that package is using a large team that’ll stand out on the campus. We won’t be able to get to the drives first, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of the game.”

“What’s the plan?” Echo asked.

“For starters, we raid Mendoza’s closet for the preppiest shit we can find.”

* * *

8:30 a.m.

“Lenny.” Kit stood up from the bench in the lobby of the MIT Alumni Pool and Wang Fitness Center and crossed the tile floor to reach him.

The thirtysomething professor broke out in a huge grin and hitched his gym bag higher on his shoulder. “Kit? What on earth are you doing here?”

He scooped her up in a big hug, lifting her feet from the floor, his arm wrapped low around her waist. So low his hand rested on her buttock. An intimate gesture.

Beyond saying Mendoza and her brother had been friends, Kit had neglected to mention how familiar she was with the professor, and Castle had been too distracted by her to ask.

If he had to guess, he’d wager those two had slept together.

They looked like a couple. The bright smiles and show of affection. Handsome Mendoza with his shaggy, dark hippie hair and lean swimmer’s build next to Kit’s edgy elegance. A picture-perfect fit.

Castle refused to acknowledge the tightening in his chest. He was no possessive Neanderthal without a past. It didn’t matter to him who she’d slept with before. Or so he told himself as he unclenched his fists and approached the pair with Alistair at his side.

Mendoza was speaking quickly to her in Spanish. Castle caught the gist. The professor was elated to see her and hadn’t thought he would again, since she hadn’t returned his calls after their last night together.

Castle’s gut twisted at the thought of Kit wrapped around Mendoza, breathless and naked, calling his name as she came. A silly, testosterone-driven reflex. He didn’t like his reaction and knew Alistair was paying close attention to everything. Best for him to focus on the point of this excursion. Business.

“Excuse me, Professor. We’re with Homeland Security and need to discuss an urgent matter with you.”

“What’s this all about?” Mendoza released Kit from the hug but kept an arm wrapped tight around her shoulder and her tucked at his side.

Castle had only known Kit two days, but it took every drop of restraint he had not to yank her away from the professor and claim her.

Stay on point. Don’t get derailed.

“I’m with them,” Kit said, easing away from Mendoza, and stood beside Castle. “We need your help. I mailed you something very important for safekeeping. It’s vital to national security that we get it back.”

“Anything for you, Kit,” Mendoza said. “I’m so sorry about that argument we had. I wish you had returned my calls.”

She tightened her smile. “It’s forgotten.” But from the hurt glimmer in her eye and the little lip nibble, it wasn’t.

“What do you need me to do?” Mendoza asked.

“Ms. Westcott had the package addressed to you at the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department,” Castle said. “We’ll go with you to your office and wait for the package to be delivered if it’s not there already.”

“All mail gets delivered to the receiving facility,” Mendoza said. “My TA, Natalie, picks it up and brings it with her.”

“Can you call her and see if she has it?” asked Alistair.

“Sure.” He took out his cell and dialed. His brows creased. He hung up and tried again. “Hi, Nat, when you get this message, give me a call as soon as possible. It’s an emergency.” Mendoza put his phone away. “She’s not answering. Nat always picks up for me.”