Mastered by Mavericks (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 3)

“In Destiny?” She nodded, believing Henry wasn’t involved. “How?”

“In this case, truth is best. Sheriff will call. He will ask why a Chicago police officer is asking questions about a closed case.”

She nodded. “That should get people hopping.”

“You are suspended. They must to investigate. Your commander will put a team together. The real mole will pass on information to Russians. Though the mole will likely look more like badger. I have long argument with partner. Stubborn man, but he insist I call mole and he has tranquilizer gun. So the mole badger will tell Russians. They will send someone here hoping to cover all of the tracks. We trap hit man. Unless he actually looks like mole. Then I step on him. You see my point? At least badger has claws. This is faulty metaphor.”

Dear God, she had to stop him now. “How do we get the hit man to talk?”

Alexei sent his left fist into his right palm with a smack. “I know how to get people to be talking. We have many ways. The Mitrofanov man will lead us to mole.”

“So you want to use me as bait?” Could her commander be the mole? Maybe.

“You should not to be worrying about this. You have two capable bodyguards and you have gun of your own. I suspect you know how to use.”

“Yes.” Sawyer and Reed might not think she could handle a weapon given the moth incident, but she knew she could. She grinned. “I’m a good shot, Alexei.”

Alexei smiled. “Get rat to poke head around Destiny, then we pounce. Sheriff might frown on idea, but will work. Rat. See, rat is better than mole. Mole is blind. No one is afraid of mole.”

Sheriff Wolfe, for all his words, hadn’t been treating her like an equal, like a fellow officer. Alexei seemed more inclined to trust her with such a dangerous mission. That pleased her. It made her feel like a real cop again.

His idea wasn’t bad, and it would allow her a few more days with Reed and Sawyer.

Not a bad idea at all. “Make the call, Alexei.”

If they could trap the real insider, she had a better chance of finding Henry. Her thoughts were on Reed and Sawyer. She turned her attention back toward the clinic for any sign of them.

Chapter Sixteen

Sawyer didn’t wait to shed the rest of his fire gear, and neither did Reed. They both ran down West Street to Nicole, who was standing by the sawhorses Jason had put up as a blockade. Even though exhausted from fighting the blaze, the relief of seeing her safe and sound gave him and obviously Reed, too, a much needed boost of energy.

“She’s okay,” Sawyer panted out.

“Thank God,” Reed responded.

Standing near Nicole, along with other Destonians, were the three bodyguards they’d entrusted with her safety—Dylan and Cam Strange, and the Russian consultant, Alexei Markov. Those three men had earned his utmost respect. He wasn’t sure how to repay them, but he would do his damnedest to find a way.

“Nicole,” he shouted.

She ran past the sawhorses and they met in the middle of the street. He and Reed wrapped her up in their arms.

Nicole’s whole body was shaking and tears were streaming out of her eyes. “You’re safe. You’re okay.”

Reed kissed her first. “So are you, Chicago. So are you.”

Tell her Reed. Tell her how you feel.

But Sawyer was certain his brother was still struggling with how to voice those three words that came so hard for him ever since their parents’ death. Reed clearly needed more time to speak his true feelings to Nicole.

She turned to him. “Sawyer, your face is covered in soot. Did the medical guys check you two out already?”

He cupped her chin. “No, sweetheart. I couldn’t wait to see you. I wanted to make sure the woman I loved was safe.”

She smiled broadly and kissed him. Then she glanced over at Reed.

Tell her now, bro.

“Nicole, want to come with us while we get looked over by the EMTs?” Reed definitely wasn’t ready yet.