AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you close to Addison?” Harper asked.
Was he close to his big sister? The answer to that was tricky. “Yes…and no,” he answered, striving for honesty.
She tilted her head. “What’s that mean?”
“Addie is four years older than me, so we’re close in years. But I don’t see her that often anymore. After our mom died…” His voice trailed off because he wasn’t sure how much to share. Should he tell her what his sister really did? How they fought and could never see eye to eye because of how she chose to make her money? That Addie had followed in their mother’s footsteps and was a renowned thief currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List?
Nah, probably shouldn’t mention that.
“After our mom died,” he repeated, “our jobs took us to separate cities. I guess we just sort of lost touch.”
“That’s sad,” Harper said, leaning forward. “You should reach out to her. I mean, after all this is, ah, over.”
Ryland wondered if Harper had any idea how long the op to infiltrate The Agency could actually take? Hell, he didn’t even know. Months maybe? A year? He didn’t want to mention that quite yet for fear she’d flip the fuck out. Especially because she was staying with him until it was over whether she liked it or not.
One thing at a time,he reminded himself. Compartmentalize the sorrow over Tanner, feed the need for vengeance, keep Harper safe and bring down the bad guys. It was a tall order, but this is where he not only excelled, he thrived.
“What’s your tattoo mean?” she asked, checking out his forearm.
Ryland turned his arm, letting her see it better. “I was part of DEVGRU’s Red Squadron and we called ourselves ‘the tribe’. Our insignia was the Native American, so my team and I got a tomahawk.”
She lightly caressed a finger over the design and her touch sent shockwaves through his system. Their gazes locked and he wondered if she felt the same spark?
“It’s…a little intimidating.”
The tattoo or me?he wondered, leaning closer, eyes on her mouth.
Pharaoh poked his head through the swinging door and they both jerked away from each other. Like they’d been caught doing something they shouldn’t have been doing.
“Banshee hacked into The Agency. He found some files.”
Ryland stood up, offering Harper his hand. She took it and he pulled her up, but before they followed Pharaoh, Ryland squeezed her hand and said, “You need to know some things about me. And my team.”
“Okaaay.” She eyed him curiously.
He didn’t want to purposely scare her off, but he didn’t want to lead her on, making her believe he was some kind of hero or good guy. Because he wasn’t. Far from it. His job was to kill people. Granted, they were bad people, but not everyone would be able to accept that.
“The organization we work for technically doesn’t exist.”
“The Agency.”
“Yeah. Our job is to eliminate bad people, Harper. Enemies of the United States. We follow our handler’s orders and don’t ask questions.”
She nodded.
“I don’t want you thinking I’m some good guy. What I do…” He pulled in a deep breath and chose his next words carefully. “It can take its toll on certain people.”
“So, what’re you saying? It’s taking its toll on you?”
“No. I’m saying the exact opposite. Don’t ever mistake me for some kind of hero, Harper.”
???
After they all reconvened at the table in the back room, Harper surreptitiously watched Ryland. He sat ramrod straight, intensity rolling off him in waves. That last comment he’d made had her wondering what kind of things he’d done in his past. And currently still did. She knew as a SEAL, he would’ve gone into many dangerous situations and he probably even had to kill people. But they were bad people.
Right?
That’s what he’d said, anyway.
