The King (Gentlemen Rogues 2)

The rest of the meeting went fine. Gabe ran us through the scenarios for approach. He went through tactical planning, personnel, not exactly who would go on the mission, but more along the lines of what tactical skills we would need.

When the meeting adjourned, Madeline stood. "Agent Abott, I’d like to speak to you. And Gabe too. I think we're missing an opportunity here. Let's discuss it."

He scowled at me. He thought I’d arranged this.

Yeah, well, when you lie, and get found out, what do you expect?

The rest of the team was dismissed, and Madeline frowned. “Gabe, obviously, we are using Agent Abott. I didn't want to undermine you in front of your team, but she's the best person for this op."

Gabe wasn't having it. "With all due respect, Madeline, this is my team. I run it how I see fit. And Saff isn't ready."

She laughed. "She followed protocol on her own and got herself out of a dangerous situation."

"Because her team hung back for her."

"She engenders trust and camaraderie. Let me just remind you that she didn't break protocol. They did."

"That's not the point."

“I think it is. And given the video footage we've seen at Oversight, she was right. It was Webster. So what is the problem with your sister going in the field?"

I hadn't dreamed that this would happen. That I would have an ally at Oversight. Someone else who saw the problem.

Gabe bristled. “If I may say plainly Madeline, she needs more seasoning. She's not ready."

Madeline laughed. "Neither were you. Hell, neither is anyone. Give her a good team.” She turned to me. “Agent Abott, you’re going in. You are going to make your parents proud. Keep up the good work."

When she stalked out, Gabe clenched and unclenched his jaw. I watched the muscles work. This time, I was not going to jump in and rescue him. I was not going to offer up a filler for the silence. He was going to have to sit in it. Drench in his own betrayal.

"Saff, I—"

“Go on, I’m waiting. Let's hear what excuse you have this time."

“Fuck, I’m trying to keep you safe."

"What you did today was undermine and embarrass me. You told Oversight that I had an errand to run, and you treated me like your assistant to keep me out of the way. Good thing Tatum was on his way out. He’s level six and perfectly capable of carrying the package."

He sighed. “Fucking Tatum."

"Let's get back to the fact that you tried to lie and keep me out of something that was important."

“I didn't lie. I just said I needed you to do something. Which I did."

“You lied. A lie by manipulation is still the same."

He rolled his eyes. “Don't be so dramatic."

"Of course, you would call me dramatic after you screwed up and got caught."

“You're all I have left. What the fuck am I supposed to do if something happens to you?"

"Not my problem. Maybe act like my fucking commander instead of my brother next time."

“I am acting like your commander."

"No, you're not. My commander would never humiliate me and hurt me like that. I don't know who you are, but you're not him.”