Fatal Diversion (The Keeper's Series #4) - Stephanie St. Klaire Page 0,9

just confidence. “This is why we don’t sell new tech to the government anymore and only maintain the systems we already have contracted. I’m writing this new program that will —”

Mercy held up his hands to stop him.

“I know. Spare me the details. Got it,” Killion said, turning back to his work. “I’m on it.”

Dillon sat on the edge of the table next to Killion and laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve got this, big guy. I know you do.”

He offered her a meek smile, something he didn’t often do, then went back to work.

“We’ll handle the tactical, and you handle the tech.” Mercy took a seat, realizing he’d approached the situation with too much emotion. “I’m trying to stay focused on the objective, but…”

“It’s your brother,” Dillon finished, looking at Coy. “I know the feeling. It’s hard to stay focused when people we care about are involved.”

“This isn’t going to be a problem, is it?” Mercy asked, waving a finger back and forth between Coy and Dillon.

“Not at all, boss.” Coy smiled. “As long as your brother doesn’t get handsy with my sister.”

Mercy dragged his hands down his face and let out a deep sigh. “This is going to get weird.”

“No, it isn’t,” Dillon assured, eyes pinned on Coy. “Because this is my job, and Coy has his job. I can handle myself just fine, and whatever Ransom does or doesn’t do will be one hundred percent because I allow it or don’t.”

“Whoa.” Coy and Mercy both stood and spoke simultaneously.

“That’s my brother, Dill.”

Coy stepped toe to toe with Mercy. “And she’s my sister, man. I don’t care what her job is.”

“For fuck’s sake, both of you sit down,” Dillon chided through gritted teeth. “I’m a trained operative, just like the rest of you. I know what I’m doing, and clearly, I’m doing a really good job at it if I’m this close to the president, on his committees, and he’s keeping me here and assigning me security. I got you guys in the door without having to force your way in. You’re welcome, by the way.”

The two men sat while the others covered their grins because they knew what was coming. Dillon was about to do what Dillon did best — put the guys in their place.

“Good. Are we done beating our chests now? There is no place for pissing matches or fucking feelings on this case. Either you have each other’s backs on this, or you both go home, and we’ll handle this without you. Coy, if I suddenly need a boy to fight my battles and protect my delicate feelings, I’ll let you know, brother. Merce…same goes for you. Ransom is a big boy, and he can handle himself. Besides, he’s my case. I’ll do the protecting or whatever this is you think you’re doing. I’m close, and that’s what we needed. Now let me do my damn job.”

“Dillon—”

Dillon put her hand up. “They’re going to be back to finish the debrief in a few, and we’re a mess. I’m doing my part, so you guys need to do yours. As of right now, I’m the president’s love interest, according to the media, and the girl he wants to date if you ask Ransom. I’d say the case is right on track. I’m close.”

Mercy let out a deep breath like he’d been holding it for days. “Stay close. Stay really close because someone closer to him just might want him dead.”

7

“You guys gathered that intel quick,” Ransom said as he reviewed the files before him. “I knew you were good, but this is insane. I don’t even have this kind of detail from Homeland, DOD, or any other branch working this, and there are a lot of them.”

Kroy pinned his stare on Mercy. “Why is that?”

Mercy paused, reading Kroy’s body language and tone clearly. Kroy wasn’t all that different than the Keepers with similar resources, and his number one priority was Ransom’s safety. He respected and appreciated it, but everyone at that table knew it could be the downfall of their case if Kroy caught on to who they all really were and why they were there.

Kroy and Ransom served together, were brothers-in-arms, and brothers for life. He was family to the Wyatts and had spent a lot of time with them over the years. He wasn’t easily fooled, and his instincts were top-notch.

“We don’t have to deal with the bullshit politics everyone else does. No red tape and bureaucratic bullshit on our end. We