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He opens his mouth, and it’s clear he’s about to agree—before Natalie beats him to the punch. “So, when are we leaving?”
“Who’s we?” Mason asks with a groan. “I don’t remember inviting you.”
“I don’t remember asking you for an invite,” she snaps. “Newsflash. I deserve to look him in the fucking face before he takes his last breath. After what he put me through? He blew our mother’s brains out in front of me. He was about to carve my face to ribbons. I’m done being depressed and scared. I need to face my demons. Yeah. I’m going.”
I’m sure as hell not about to agree with her. It’s obvious Dallas is as against the idea as I am, scowling at her, his jaw ticking. And here I am, practically biting my tongue off. What is she thinking?
The problem is, I know what she’s thinking. I wish I didn’t because it would be easier for me to refuse her, to lock her up somewhere until we get back if only I didn’t completely understand her reason for wanting to go. After what she wentthrough, she deserves to look at that bastard once more before he dies. She deserves the satisfaction of his recognition when their eyes meet.
Mason’s seething when he nods. “Fine. You can go.” Before she can react, he adds, “Which means I’m going, too.”
26
NATALIE
Tension is high as we board the jet a few hours after our explosive meeting in the conference room. I understand why my brother is so upset with me; he has every right to be. I fucked up. I should have listened to him and asked for help instead of going in myself. I already paid for my decision dearly. It’s something that’s going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I shove the thought away. I need to get my head in the game and show the others that they can count on me. If that’s even possible.
I’m still shocked that Mason is coming with us to Moscow, even more shocked that Teagan stayed behind to look after the Hotel. It’s crazy to think that a few months ago, she was just a civilian working in a grocery store. Now she is part of our team, a shadow government operation very few people even know exists.
The jet holds about twenty people and with the swat team we’re bringing, almost every seat is occupied. Mason had to call in some pretty big favors to get us all across the border, but I know it will be worth it in the end.
All of our gear, guns, and ammo are stacked in crates in the back of the plane, while upfront are baskets of food and drinks.Each row in the center has room for three people. Two on one side and a single seat on the other.
I take a window seat, and Griffin sits down next to me like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I expect Dallas to take the seat on the other side, or at least one in front of us. Instead, he chooses to sit three rows behind us.
I frown. “What’s going on with Dallas?” I whisper.
Griffin searches the plane, just now realizing Dallas is not sitting close by. He shrugs. “No clue what’s up with the old man.” Unlike me, he doesn’t bother whispering, speaking loud enough for Dallas and people surrounding us to hear.
I elbow him in the side. “Stop it.” I usually love their little banter, but something about it doesn’t feel right today. Maybe I don’t want other people to hear. I like having them to myself.
Mason and Trent are sitting in the single seats, unsurprisingly. My brother is all the way at the front. He has barely looked at me all day, and besides the few words in the meeting, he hasn’t spoken to me either. How am I going to make him understand? I play with the thought of going up there to talk to him, but I don’t think having an audience would be a good idea. So I stay in my seat, buckling up to get ready for takeoff.
Not long after we’re in the air, my stomach growls. I haven’t eaten much lately, and I know I need to get my strength up if I want to be at hundred percent for this mission. Unbuckling from my seat, I get up to climb over Griffin, who gives me a questionable look.
“Just getting a bite to eat. Do you want something?”
“Sure, I could use a snack,” he answers, a pleased smile spreads across his face. “I’m glad you’re eating again.”
I give him a halfhearted grin before making my way to the front of the plane. As I pass my brother, an uneasy feeling spreads through my gut. Guilt mixed with lingering angerand a little bit of jealousy swirls around my stomach. I didn’t think about it until now, but I’m jealous that he was able to compartmentalize what happened the way he did. It seems like my mom returning barely affected him. He was ready to charge in and take her out like she wasn’t our mother at all.
Staring at the pre-made sandwiches, small bags of chips and crackers, I certainly wish I would’ve stayed home. That thought vanishes as quickly as it popped into my head. I have to be there when we find him. I need to make him pay for what he did to me. What he did to my entire family.
“Anything good?” My brother’s voice snaps me out of my trance. “I’m guessing not, since you’ve been staring at the basket for a few minutes now.”
“I just don’t have any appetite, but I know I need to eat something.”
“You do, yes.”
I spin around to face him. “Don’t pretend you suddenly care.”
“Do you think I would be here if I didn’t care about you?”
“You came with us because you don’t trust me,” I accuse.
Mason huffs. “Of course I can’t trust you right now. You have given me a million reasons not to. That doesn’t mean I would have let you go to Russia on your own.”
“I’m not on my own. I’ve got an entire team with me.” I wave at the rest of the plane, where most of the team look around uncomfortably.
