Locke and Load Read Free

benefits.
    “He’s leaving Virginia and returning to Texas,” Sam stated, gaze matching his contrite tone.
    “I know. He dropped his packet, and is retiring from the SEALs to help his brother.” She found it very admirable and selfless. He was a great guy, and she would miss his friendship, but his absence didn’t leave a big gaping hole in her heart like Cage.
    They’d parted four years ago, and it still hurt like hell. But it would hurt a lot worse if he was dead.
    “Look, Nikki.” Her friend’s reassuring touch was back on her arm. “If you’re really worried about Cage’s safety, then I’ll take this assignment.”
    “No,” her quick protest echoed that of Lisa’s husband and father.
    Yes, she was worried Santiago had Cage under surveillance and her presence could put her ex-fiancé’s life in danger. Hell, it terrified her. But so did the thought of her friend and unborn child in close proximity to anthrax.
    Forcing the tension from her face, she placed her hand over Lisa’s and hoped to appear relaxed. “Thanks. I appreciate it, but I’ll be okay. I’ve been living with this fear for so long, it’s tough to shake. Still, it’s time to come out from underneath its oppression.”
    Lisa pulled her in for a quick hug. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. You deserve to move on and be happy, but first, you have to face your past.”
    She pulled out of the embrace and nodded, but had absolutely no intention of telling Cage the truth. In this case, the saying was wrong…it would not set him free.
    Sam cupped her shoulder and squeezed. “I’d go in your place if I wasn’t working that embezzlement case with Brooke.”
    Her throat heated. Damn…she was blessed with great friends.
    “It’s okay,” she reassured with a grin. “I’ll be fine. But thanks.”
    Sam studied her a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Good luck,” he said, releasing her shoulder to grab his wife’s hand. “We’re just a phone call away.”
    “Yes, call if you need anything, or just want to…you know, talk.” Lisa’s warm gaze bored into her.
    Yep, she had really good friends.
    “Will do.” She watched the couple disappear into TJ’s sanctuary. She had no damn idea how she’d get through the mission, but failure wasn’t an option.
    “You aren’t going to tell Cage, are you?” Her boss leaned his long frame against the counter and folded his arms across his chest, waiting for her answer.
    “No. You’ll have to trust me, it would do more harm than good.”
    After a beat of silence, he unfolded his arms and nodded once. “I wouldn’t be sending you if I didn’t trust you, Nicole. But you have to trust me, too. Coming clean will purge some of the darkness eating at you.”
    “I know.” And she did. She really did. Each time she’d opened up to her therapist about an incident from her captivity, it felt as if she’d shed an invisible weight from her shoulders and peeled back a dark cloak shrouding her psyche.
    It was liberating. But…hard. As. Hell.
    Reaching for the coffee pot, he poured coffee to the brim. “There are no known associates of Rojas in Jacksonville.”
    She reeled back and blinked at her boss. “How do you know?”
    “I’ve had a few friends checking for me. And TJ’s been running facial recognition from the publi—well, it’s better you don’t know.” A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “He’ll continue to run it and alert you immediately if there’s a hit.”
    Apprehension loosened its grip on her gut just a bit. “That’s good to know. Thank you.”
    If she had the “eye in the sky”—as the hacker dubbed it—helping her, then she just might be able to concentrate on her current mission and not worry about her past.
    “I’d better get going.” She glanced at the clock on the far wall. “I have fifteen minutes to meet the jet.”
    Her boss turned to face her, coffee in hand. “Keep in touch.” he said, holding her gaze until she nodded, then he strode toward the