a scenario where they could be arrested, but it wouldn’t work without a great deal more men. Those men can’t be Eternal Brethren.”
“And you don’t want to put the sheriff and his deputies in danger.”
Nodding, he stroked her leg. “Ethan doesn’t have enough men with the training needed to neutralize the Devils and Russians. They wouldn’t have any idea what they were up against. There’d be too many casualties.”
“If my father had brought in the FBI…”
Fuse shrugged, glancing over his shoulder at the screens. “Perhaps. The men coming after you are the worst part of humanity. No morals or values. They would kill a woman or child without flinching. There’d need to be at least forty or fifty agents to even out the ruthlessness of the Russians and Devils. That’s assuming they attack with no more than twenty men.”
“And if it were the Brethren?”
He grinned at the comparison. “It wouldn’t be a fair fight. Unfortunately, Wrath isn’t going to approve such a mission.”
“Neither would the man Wrath reports to,” she whispered.
Fuse stopped glancing at the screens, focusing on her. “What do you mean, Brit?”
“I’ve already told you about hacking into the files to learn the Eternal Brethren are an undercover SEAL team populated with men attached to DEVGRU. I also learned about Admiral Grayson, as well as the Secretary of the Navy, and Director of the FBI.”
Fuse gave a slow nod. “There’s one more person whose name has never been put in writing.”
“The president?”
He didn’t respond. “You need to forget what you learned, Brit.”
“You’re the only person I’ve talked to about it. Well, and of course my friend who accessed the files.”
“Don’t talk about it to anyone else. This is serious business. If the wrong people suspect you know about the Brethren origins, you could make yourself a target. Forget that. You would make yourself a target. There are people out there who believe we’re more than an MC club.”
She let out a sigh, running both hands through her hair. “The only thing good about all this is I’ve been able to spend time with you, Scott.” When he opened his mouth, she raised a hand. “Don’t worry. I know when this is over, I’ll go back to my job and you’ll proceed with your life. At least now we’ll be able to put some of the bad feelings behind us and move forward. Forget about each other.”
“Is that what you want, Brit? To forget about me?”
She could lie, save herself more heartache, but this might be her last chance to tell him the truth.
“No, but it’s what I have to do.” Brittany stood, walking to the window to look outside. “I want a second chance, the opportunity to start over. You’ve made it clear, and I’ve accepted that it isn’t going to happen.” Turning toward him, she wrapped her arms about her. “I don’t blame you, Scott. What happened is all on me. Even so, I’m grateful for the time you’ve given me. I’ll be able to move forward, maybe even meet someone else, knowing there’s no chance for a future with you.” A wistful look crossed her face before she returned to staring outside.
Fuse wanted to dispute her assertions, tell her he still loved her, would always love her. Staying silent seemed the best choice. He didn’t know how the next few days would go. Had no idea when her nightmare would be over. A nightmare which had become his since being assigned to this op.
He snorted at calling this an op. It was nothing more than babysitting a high-value asset. If asked, most would say the senator was the high-value asset and Brittany the tool to reach him. In truth, losing Brittany would shatter Fuse.
Standing, he stepped behind her, settling his hands on her waist to draw her against him. “When this is over, Brit, we have a great deal of talking to do.” When she stiffened, he bent, pressing a kiss to her neck. “I don’t know where this will all lead, but we have to get it all out in the open. The complete truth, Brit.” Feeling her relax, he pressed one more kiss to her neck before putting distance between them.
Neither noticed Deke walking into the room. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”
Brittany whirled around, hoping he couldn’t see the flush on her face. The twitch of Deke’s lips said otherwise.
“Your house is locked and secure, the men gone, Fuse. WES and Mitch’s men in cruisers are posted outside the perimeter of the property, ready to