Code Name Sentinel (Jameson Force Security 2)

Fuck, that gets me. I don’t think twice, because apparently when Barrett feels heartache, the best thing I know how to do is wrap her in my arms.

She comes easily, letting me wrap her in an embrace, and I give her a reassuring squeeze. “It’s not forever. You can do this. You’re strong and brave.”

“You don’t know I’m brave,” she murmurs.

I pull away, glancing down. She refuses to meet my eyes, so I call her name. “Barrett.”

Finally, she tips her head back.

“From the beginning, you’ve been brave about all of this. Never complaining. Pushing forward with your research with focus and determination. Hell, you watched me shoot a guy. When he fell at your feet, you didn’t even freak out. So yeah… you’re one of the bravest women I know.”

I get a wan smile. For her effort, I take her by the hand again. “Come on. Let’s go play in the water a bit.”

Smile brightening, she lets me lead her to the sand, back into the bright sun. Right up to the warm water’s edge. When we step in, she doesn’t let go of my hand.

I don’t let go of hers, either.CHAPTER 14CruceLeaning my forearms on the wooden rail, I look out over the water. It’s a super bright and sunny day, bringing Virgin Gorda into focus a bit more. I’ve already done my morning perimeter check of the island, and I’ve been hanging out on the balcony that runs the width of the front part of the house.

The satellite phone rings, and I pull it from my pocket. It’s only the second time Kynan has called in the last five days we’ve been here. The first was just to make sure we were all settled in and to see if there was anything we needed.

No clue why he’s calling now.

“What’s up?” I ask as I connect the call, glancing over my shoulder into the open glass wall. Barrett sits at the dining room table, so engrossed in her work she doesn’t even react over the phone ringing.

“How are things going?” he asks.

“Good. Same. All secure.”

“That’s good,” he replies, but I can hear the anxiety in his voice. “Listen… we’re going to go ahead and send a team after the arms dealers. Keith Spire is tapped out. He doesn’t know anything, so we’re turning him over to the police. President Alexander is arranging it.”

“Any luck on finding the arms dealers?” I ask, my eyes scanning the water.

“Yeah… still in Oman, which is weird. We haven’t had time to set up a workplace there or anything, but we think it’s best we just go in quick and hard. I’m sending in August, Sal, Benji, and Kara.”

He doesn’t need to explain what he means by “quick and hard”. I can read between the lines. Most likely, they’re going to take these guys into a rural area and do some hardcore “encouragement” tactics to get them to talk. I’ve read that a water-boarding plank can be set up in the back of a work van, allowing your torture to go mobile.

Details like that should turn my stomach, but I can’t seem to care what they need to do to get more information.

“I expect it’s going to take a few days to get there, set up some recon, then make the plan to snatch them,” he explains, so as to keep my expectations in check. “But hopefully once we get them, we can get some quick information.”

No holding in my slight sigh of frustration. “Okay, man… thanks for the update. I’ll let Barrett know.”

“Sure you two don’t need anything?” he asks again.

“We’re good. Just keep us updated.”

“Okay. Later, bro.”

“Later.”

I disconnect the call, then put the phone back in my pocket. Turning toward the house, I study Barrett. She’s bent over her laptop, hands scrunched in her hair, while she reads something on her screen. I let my gaze move over to the whiteboard she often writes on. It’s crammed with frenzied scribbles I think might be formulas.

She works so fucking hard she completely tunes out the rest of the world. If I weren’t here to make her eat, drink, and take bathroom breaks once in a blue moon, she’d perish.

Shoring up my resolve, I leave the balcony, stepping into the dining room. She doesn’t acknowledge me, probably hasn’t even noticed I’m here.

“Time to take a break,” I say as I walk down the length of the table.

Barrett doesn’t even hear me. When I reach her chair, I stick my arm out and wave my hand between her face and the laptop.

She jumps, then looks up with a dopey smile. “Sorry… guess I was zoned out, huh?”

Chuckling, I reply, “Zoned in, more like it. When you get involved in your work, I genuinely believe the world could burn down around you and you wouldn’t even notice.”