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“I need a minute. Please let Rogue know I’m on my way.”
After Schön stood and walked down the porch steps, I went inside. As I grabbed my bag from the bed, I caught my reflection in the mirror above the dresser. I stopped and took a good, long look.
I couldn’t remember many times when I’d studied my reflection and was as disgusted by what I saw as today. It wasn’t about being vain; it was about being proud of the decisions I’d made, the commitments I’d honored, and the way I’d treated people. Sure, there were times when I was an immature arsehole, like when I gave Zeppelin shit about whatever random thing I could come up with. We were best mates. The difference was, he knew I was joking and vice versa. It was never done to hurt his feelings.
On the days when I didn’t feel great about myself or my actions, the yardstick I used to measure myself as a man wasn’t my own; it was that of my grandfather. If he were the one staring back at me, would he be proud? Tonight, he wouldn’t.
Papa, as I called him, would be most disappointed about the way I treated Schön. If I told him my lies were to protect her, he would’ve scoffed.
As I stood looking into my own eyes, I thought about what he’d say.
You can show her how you see her differently than the men who came before you. That your attraction to her is based on more than her pretty face and her desirable body. I know you, Justin. She could be the most gorgeous woman you’ve ever seen, yet if what was on the inside was not good and kind, you wouldn’t look twice at her.
I could hear his voice inside my head as clearly as if he were standing in front of me, and I felt ashamed. What I didn’t know how to do was make it right. If only Papa were here and I could ask him.
I carriedmy things to the SUV, confused as to why neither Schön nor Rogue were there, waiting. I tossed my bag in the vehicle and was headed inside to ask when the door opened.
“Hey, Mag. There’s been a change of plans,” Rogue announced.
I followed him to Nemesis, who waited with Schön and Ehren.
“What’s this about a different plan?” I asked, annoyed that it appeared I was the last to be informed.
“I’ve spoken with Cayman, and he’s concerned about your undercover role, given you were at his wedding, where Francesca was in attendance,” Nemesis began. “He also mentioned that, while no one saw Charlene that day, it doesn’t mean she wasn’t watching. Once he brought both points to my attention, I concurred.”
“What is the alternate plan?” I asked, feeling my annoyance morphing into anger.
“Rather than you and Schön going in as a married couple on their honeymoon, you and the rest of your team will be two couples on holiday. Rogue and Schön are one. You and Ehren are the other.” She looked up when Verity entered the room. “You’re here. Perfect timing.”
Verity approached me specifically. “Magnet, rather than the disguise we intended, we’re going to go with something slightly more dramatic.”
“Nemesis, a word?” I snapped, my head pivoting in her direction.
“Magnet—”
“Aword, Nem.”
Her eyes opened wide, but she nodded. “If you’ll please excuse us,” she said to the others in the room before turning to me. “I’ll cut to the chase since there is a plane on standby. Why are you making an issue of this?”
Why was I? My indignation suddenly felt overblown. “I’m unaccustomed to being the last informed about an op I own.”
Nemesis rested her chin on her hand and studied me. “This isn’t like you, Magnet. What’s really going on?”
“I am the commander of the Albanian task force. If there is an op to be crafted, I will be the one to do it,” I responded honestly.
“My apologies for the way I went about this. However, time is of the essence, and I made a decision based on what is best for the mission itself, not just the op. That is my job. Now, what is your specific issue?”
I didn’t want Schön paired with Rogue. I didn’t even want him to travel with us to Gozo. Or Ehren. I wanted Schön to myself. I wanted time alone with her like we’d had when we went to the States a few weeks ago and met first with Baissier, then with the Justice Department. Had I said any of that, I would’ve come across like a child pitching a fit of temper.
“I will accept your apology and ask that you respect the chain of command in the future,” I said instead.
She raised a brow. “I will, Magnet. Now, may we get back to it?”
“Very well.”
Rather than continuing to look like a jackass, I went in search of the others. “We’re ready,” I said, wishing I hadn’t glanced at a wide-eyed Schön.
Verity cleared her throat. “Intel suggests you may be more recognizable than we originally thought. Therefore, as I said a few minutes ago, the disguise I chose for you is a bit more dramatic.”
