Nash is at the front of the room, handing out files, and I open it in front of me quickly. I scan the names on the file, and the only two I see are Logan and Samantha. I keep scrolling and see other cases with other names, but it looks like this week I get desk duty. Which normally I’d complain about, but not this time.
Nash starts to speak, and I listen closely. “So the main case this week is getting intel on a high-profile human trafficking case out of Miami. Logan and Samantha will be on point on this one. You’ll be posing as a couple.”
Bear grunts across the room and stands up. Everyone stops and looks surprised. Everyone except for Sam. She’s staring at the file in her hands. Bear never interrupts—hell, the man hardly says a thing. “Nash, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Bear, we’re in the middle of a meeting...”
Bear walks toward the door and opens it before looking back at Nash. All eyes flick back and forth between them. Finally, Nash lifts his shoulders in a shrug. “I’ll be right back.”
The clock ticks by, and everyone is quiet. Probably if Sam wasn’t in the room, everyone would be speculating, but no one wants to say anything that would embarrass her. Luckily, Nash and Bear return quickly, and Nash takes his place at the front of the room again. He clears his throat. “So correction. Bear and Samantha will be taking point on this one.”
Samantha’s eyes widen, and she looks at Bear. He’s staring at her, and I have to look away because the look on his face is the most personal, vulnerable look I’ve ever seen on the man.
Nash continues. “They will be Mr. Liam Smith and Mrs. Samantha Smith. We kept first names to halt any mistakes.” He looks at Dylan. “I need custom identities with IDs and everything else asap.”
Dylan nods and writes in his notepad.
The talk continues, but I can’t get past what is happening with Bear. I recognize that look he’s drilling into Samantha. It’s the same one I give Madison. I don’t know if the rest of the room realizes it, but Bear just staked his claim, and I have no doubt he’s going to act on it.