Mantis (K19 Security Solutions 4)

As much as that had infuriated their boss, Rivet had seen her departure coming as much as Shiver had, and couldn’t begrudge her the happiness she and Kade had in their lives.

With Merrigan out of the picture, Shiver had moved to the top spot to succeed Sir Caird. His lack of enthusiasm, along with his refusal to give the man an answer, incensed his boss.

“He’s pacing,” said Patsy, sticking her head in Shiver’s office. “Would you mind?”

“In a minute,” he snapped, immediately regretting his tone. Patsy was Rivet’s assistant and didn’t deserve his or anyone else’s wrath.

“I take it you haven’t heard anything.”

Patsy was well aware of Shiver’s search for Orina Kuznetsov, and had done everything she could to help. Although, while her level of security clearance was as high or higher than Shiver’s, she couldn’t do too much digging without getting in trouble with Rivet herself.

“Sorry, Pats. Not your fault or your problem.”

“Go talk to him. Get it over with so we can all start enjoying the holiday.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” he muttered, cursing himself again for his thoughtlessness.

Patsy motioned with her head toward Rivet’s office, and Shiver stood.

“You’re not a duke yet,” Rivet barked when Shiver entered his office. “Until you are, I outrank you and I expect you to respond appropriately.”

“Yes, sir. My apologies.”

“The resources of MI6 are not yours to make use of for personal matters.”

“Understood.” Now wasn’t the time to argue with Rivet, but other than making contact with several of their operatives, Sh

iver hadn’t used MI6 money to search for Kuznetsov.

“That being said, I am authorizing a fact-finding mission.”

“Don’t.”

Rivet raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not ready to give you an answer.”

“You’re under the assumption that I’m authorizing the mission in exchange for your acceptance of the position?”

“To a certain extent.”

“Get the hell out of my office! In fact, get the hell out of the building.”

“Rivet, I meant no—”

“Out!”

His brother laughed. “Did you wish him a happy Christmas on your way out?”

Shiver ran his hand through his hair. “He’s frustrated that I won’t give him an answer.”

“No, Shiv, he’s pissed that you thought so little of him.”

When his brother didn’t say anything else, Shiver thought perhaps their call had dropped, but then he heard him take a deep breath.

“We’ll find her, but in the meantime, you have to find a way to compartmentalize.”

If his brother were standing in front of him, Shiver would likely belt him, after which he’d feel equally as guilty as he did about his conversation with Rivet. However, he had no restraint despite knowing he’d experience regret.