the federal prosecutor’s team will question her on the plane. Determine if there’s anything there to work with. Either way, Juliet will have twenty-four-hour protection until after her father’s trial.”
“And when will that be?”
“Judge hasn’t set a date yet, but he’s expected to within the next few days. In the meantime...” Lopez pulled a white envelope from his jacket’s inner pocket and held it out.
“What’s this?”
The other man smiled. “Your walking papers. Of course, you’ll have to stay tonight and give your official statement. Plus, you’ll most likely be called to testify, although that will be behind closed doors to protect your alias, just in case. But yeah...it’s over, kid.”
Mike’s pulse spiked as he ripped open the envelope and pulled the single-page letter free. Scanning it quickly, he realized the man was telling the truth. After ten years of trudging through the shitholes of hell hidden deep in this country’s dark crevices, the CIA had declared him to be a civilian.
The letter went on to explain the backstory behind Mike’s “death” to the outside world, but none of it resonated with him because all he could think of was...
I’m free.
“See? I told you you’d be home for your sister’s wedding. Which reminds me.” Lopez handed him a second envelope. “First-class ticket to Dallas-Ft. Worth. Your flight leaves at eleven a.m. tomorrow.”
I’m going home.
Ben slapped a hand on Mike’s shoulder. “You did good, Mike. Real good. I know it’s been a long time coming. Much longer than any of us could have anticipated.” He held out that same hand. “But on behalf of the CIA, the President, and the entire country, thank you for your service.”
Mike didn’t know what to say, so he shook the man’s hand in silence. His long-term, deep cover gig was officially over, which meant he finally had his life back. A life he’d given up ten years prior in order to make the world a safer place.
A life that doesn’t include Jules.
He knew he should be happy. Ecstatic, even. But in that moment, a part of him wished he could stay Jay Reynolds forever.
****
Chapter 1
Present day...
“I’m out.” Mike tossed his cards face-down onto the table.
“Again?” Jake McQueen, Mike’s boss and brother-in-law frowned. “That’s what, four in a row you’ve folded?”
“Give or take.”
Derek, his new team’s technical analyst, collected the discarded pile and set it to the side. “Oh, I’m happy to take, brother.” The former SEAL grinned. “In fact, I’m perfectly fine takin’ your money all night long.”
“Pretty sure you’ve been taking all our money tonight, dickhead,” Coop muttered unhappily as he threw down his own hand.
Derek shrugged. “Not my fault y’all suck at Three Card.”
Staying in the game, Trevor Matthews—Alpha Team’s medic and second in command—tossed a few more chips into the growing pile in the center of the table. “Night’s still young, West. I wouldn’t go running that big mouth of yours too soon.”
“Matthews is right,” Grant Hill—the biggest and from what Mike had observed so far, the most stoic member of the team—glanced down at his hand before finally deciding to stick it out, as well. “And you’d better not be doing that counting cards bullshit you tried pulling last time.”
“I’d listen to the big guy, if I were you,” Coop recommended. “Dude’s a former SEAL and an explosives expert. You screw Grant over, he’ll probably turn that little car of yours into a fireworks display.”
“I was a SEAL, too, asshole.” Derek shot Coop a look as he dealt out the requested cards. “And any of you fuckers touch my Challenger, I’ll steal your identities and give them to some jagoff in some third-world country. I’m sure they could use the money.”
“And on that note...” Jake smirked as he stood.
Grant glanced up at their boss. “You out for good?”
“Nah.” Jake shook his head. “Just getting another beer. Anyone else need one?”
“I could use one, Boss.” Coop held up his near-empty bottle.
“Me, too.” Derek grabbed his and chugged what was left of his.
Trevor swished his bottle around and nodded. “Make that three.”
“I’ll go with you.” Mike stood. “Besides, I’ve lost enough money to West for one night.”
Derek held out his hands and grinned. “Don’t hate me ’cause you ain’t me, brother. Hey!” He ducked when a couple of the guys threw pretzels at the smartass.
Mike chuckled as he walked into the kitchen. Grabbing the bottle opener, he began opening the beers as Jake handed them to him. The sound of light laughter pulled his attention away.
Across the room, the women were all gathered around