Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“You enjoy going through the place? Find anything interesting?”
“Some pretty damn funny pictures of your friends from high school, but I had seen some of those already. It’s rather sparse in here.”
“I’m not out here much. I have an apartment in the city, but I’m sure you already knew that.”
I nodded. “I know plenty, like that this cabin is located on land Ford and his boyfriend, Jay, purchased recently. Is that where you went, to their house?”
“Yes. But the only thing I want to talk about now is how much you know about what’s actually going on. How much deeper did your mission go than the CIA wanting to infiltrate a cartel?”
I felt the color drain from my face. “I don’t know anything other than that. I’m the lowest level of agent possible.”
Carter took a step toward me. “Don’t fuck with me. I was just on the phone with X.”
Oh shit. I’d hoped I was wrong. “Obviously I knew you had some knowledge of that vigilante operation since you knew Leo, but you’re working with him, aren’t you? X was behind this whole attack on the cartel. His plans were the whole reason Miles wouldn’t back down.”
“Miles Montgomery never backs down from something he wants, but he decided he wanted that particular warehouse because he was asked to as a favor.”
I snorted. “Only X can ask that kind of favor.”
“True, though Miles might try.”
“I don’t know much. I swear.”
“X seemed to think you know a hell of a lot more than I do. He told me you called Leo and said your handler cut you off. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” Carter moved even closer. If I took a deep breath, my chest would press against his. I tried not to breathe because the air was too full of the scent of him.
“You’re scared, and that means something horrible is going on. You’re going to tell me what it is.”
“I can handle this on my own.” I pushed as his chest, but he grabbed my wrists, trying to hold me in place.
“You lost that choice because I can’t really trust you now, can I?”
“What does X say? Does he trust me?”
“As far as he can throw you.”
“I suppose that’s about right.”
“Other than Leo, I don’t think he trusts any spooks.”
“Leo had the sense to get the hell out.”
“And you don’t?”
He snarled at me. “If you think I’m working for them anymore after this is finished, you’re dead wrong.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I haven’t exactly been working on future life plans. I’m just hoping to be alive when this is over.”
Carter nodded, but his expression confused me. Somehow, he looked disappointed, like he wanted me to have a plan. Did he want that plan to be staying here with him? That was what I wanted, but my chances of him accepting it were slim to none. “You really want to know what happened? How the CIA got to me?”
“Fuck yes, I do. It’s a little late, but it’s better than never.”
I wasn’t sure why I was holding back. The CIA was done with me. I could either go on the run or go fully in with Carter and his friends. Since that was what X wanted from me too, I really didn’t have a choice. Why did I think Carter would hate me more when he knew I’d done it all for him? That wasn’t logical, yet somehow I knew my confession was going to make everything worse, not better, no matter what I told him. “I did it to save you.”
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he schooled his face. “From the cartel? They were getting ready to move on us just like I suspected?”
I shook my head. “No. Someone wanted you implicated for treason. They had connections among the top brass, and they were making plans for an investigation where they were going to brand you as a traitor.”
Carter let go of my wrists and stepped back. “What? Why would someone…?”
“No matter how much I’ve tried, I haven’t been able to answer that. Someone in the CIA got wind of the plot to destroy you and a few other SEALs. They used it as leverage to get me to do their dirty work. If I took on their mission, they would use their own connections to make sure the investigation never happened.”
Carter stared at me, no longer trying to hide his shock. His face was pale, and I wasn’t sure he’d be able to stay on his feet much longer. “Come sit.” He let me lead him to the couch.
“You’re telling me….” He shook his head. “No. This is insane.”
“Someone wanted you implicated as a traitor. Most likely they ultimately wanted you dead.”
“Fuck, and you….” The pain in his eyes made me want to pull him into my arms, but I wasn’t sure he’d accept comfort from me.