own.”
“But you’ll be close, right? Isn’t that the plan?”
“As soon as we’re done here, we’re meeting with the team to start prep work.”
“I thought you said it was all planned out.”
“Mission planning is just the beginning. There’s a lot more that goes into spinning up for an op. Your work has only just begun. The easy part is behind you.”
“That was the easy part?”
“Yup. If you think I was hard on you before, you’ve yet to see what it really means to work. I hope this is still what you want. The kid gloves are off.”
I gulp. No way has the past few weeks been easy. How can things get any harder?
By the end of the week, I will regret asking that question.
Thirty
Griff
Preparation at Guardian HRS has been going non-stop for the past few weeks. Today is the day I take my woman out into the world and lay the groundwork for her next abduction.
My gut twists with that thought.
Putting her in harm’s way goes against every fiber of my being, but this is what Moira needs before she can move on with her life. It’s her path to walk and mine to stand by her side. Many times, I thought to step in and call an end to the craziness. If I push hard enough, Moira will cave to my demands, but what would that make me?
Just another one of the men who’ve used and abused her for their own purposes. I won’t do that.
I won’t be that.
Even if I hate everything about this operation, but Max finally set me straight, or rather he and Jenny did. They sat me down and laid it all out in front of me.
Jenny took over Moira’s training because I, evidently, was “hindering” her training. I thought I was doing a pretty good job, but Max said I was brow-beating Moira. Talk about a kick in the gut.
Jenny assures me Moira is more than capable of taking care of herself. Doesn’t mean I won’t be by her side as much as I can, and it doesn’t mean I won’t be first in line to rescue her for a third time.
Please let this be the last time my woman is placed in the line of fire.
I can’t deal with the idea of what might happen before Alpha team can swoop in and save the day.
As far as the operation goes, it’s simple. Our objective is the man who ordered Moira off the goddamn sex-slave menu. We don’t know shit about the operation. Like how did he make initial contact? Who are his contacts? A man like that doesn’t decide to purchase a slave on a whim. He needed to have an introduction, some entry point into the slave trade pipeline. We need that entry point.
Sourness coats my mouth as I get ready to take Moira shopping. I hate exposing her to those who’ve been searching for her, but at least I finally get to take her shopping. No more bargain buys at a thrift store.
We don’t know, but we believe, the men who’ve been tasked with acquiring Moira assume she’s been on Facility grounds this whole time. Our security there is locked down tight, with additional protocols put in action such as extra background sweeps initiated on everyone—including me.
No one is beyond reproach.
The Facility is locked down. Guardian HRS is secure. Our threat is outside our walls. Not within it, which is how it should be.
“You almost ready?” I bellow through the house. Moira took over the guest bedroom as her closet. For a woman on a shoestring budget, she’s pretty damn thrifty and has accumulated a shitload of shoes, purses, and clothes.
“I’m coming.” Her light feminine voice sends shivers racing down my spine. She was coming all right, all over my fingers, my face, and my tongue less than an hour ago.
“Hurry up! Don’t make me swat that mighty fine ass of yours.”
Moira peeks out of the bedroom. “Promises, promises.”
“Don’t poke the beast.” A low growl accompanies my words.
“What if I want the beast to poke me?”
“Moira! We’re going to be late.”
“Oh, come on. We’re going shopping. There’s no timetable.”
“My team is going to be in position.” They’re already down in Santa Monica.
“Well, I guess you need to make a decision then.”
“And what would that be?”
“Are you going to leave me aching all day? Or are you going to come in here and toss me over your knee for taking too much time?”
“Do not tease.”
“Do I look like I’m teasing?” She hides behind