Shattered Lies (Web of Lies #3)(22)

Valeria pulled out her knife and wedged the point into a small pinhole as she pulled hard. The belt buckle popped open, revealing a small plastic baggie with a thumb drive no bigger than half an inch. She tore into the plastic and handed the small drive to Alex.

Valeria looked around as Alex walked toward the computer. “Hey, where’s Brock?”





10





Valeria knew the moment she asked the question that something was wrong. Everyone in the room froze and stared at her. Where was he? What weren’t they telling her?

“Who’s Brock?” Grant asked as Dalton shook his head to indicate he should shut up.

“Brock Loyde,” Valeria said, slowly looking around at each person in the room. “He is a Secret Service agent who was supposed to help guard Birch. Did he decline?”

“Alex, move,” Birch said sternly. Alex stepped out of the way of the camera and she saw Birch’s face more serious than normal. “Come here, Valeria, so I can see you better.”

Valeria felt numb as she approached the laptop. The computer at the hospital was moved to Birch’s lap so only he could be seen.

“Where’s Brock?”

“Val, I’m sorry to tell you that—” Birch started to say, but Valeria was already shaking her head back and forth.

“No. No. Don’t tell me,” Val ordered, her voice strangled by unshed tears.

“He died saving my life during the bombing. He was a hero and will be buried as such. I thought you would want to handle the funeral. I’m so sorry, Valeria,” Birch finished, telling her even though she didn’t want to hear it.

“Val,” Tate said, her voice heavy with sympathy. Sympathy was something Valeria didn’t want to hear right now. She spun away and pushed past Lizzy. She needed an escape from it all. She needed to control herself.

Valeria darted into the first room with a door and closed it. It was a small half bathroom with a white pedestal sink, sea foam walls, and not much else. Valeria turned on the sink and let the sound of running water cover the sound of her tears.



* * *



“Who’s Brock?” Grant asked into the silence.

“Valeria’s boyfriend,” Tate answered. “He was in the Secret Service and was with us at the bombing.”

Grant gave a nod of understanding. The woman just lost her love, and he’d been hitting on her. Now he felt like an arse.

“You can still leave if you want to,” the president said with a sigh.

Grant looked back at the closed door and then at Dalton. He’d never left a soldier behind, and he wouldn’t do it now. “No. I’ll stay.”

Alex moved in and began to work on the computer as Grant headed over to stand next to Dalton. They had worked together so long words weren’t needed to communicate what they felt at this moment. Grant knew going into this it was a small group, but now he and Dalton felt just as they did flying out to rescue the downed Syrian—this operation was FUBAR.

“Duuuuuuude,” Alex said, all wide-eyed and open-mouthed. He looked up from the computer. “Dude, dude, dude!” His voice raised an octave with every dude he said.

“What is it?” The president’s voice came through the computer even though Grant couldn’t see him since Alex was working.

“She followed the money.”

“I’ll go get her,” Lizzy told them, but Grant reached his hand out and wrapped his fingers around her wrist, stopping her.

“I’ll do it.”



* * *



Grant knocked on the door. Nothing but the sound of running water greeted him. He twisted the knob and the door opened. He found Valeria sitting on the toilet lid, her head buried in her hands, and her shoulders shaking as she silently cried.

Grant wedged himself into the small bathroom and closed the door. Valeria turned away from him and wiped at her face as he crouched down in front of her. “Ah, lass. I’m so sorry about your boyfriend.”

His heart broke as he said the words. He enjoyed their playful banter and the challenge Valeria presented. But if he’d known about Brock, she would have been off limits from the beginning. Instead he’d hit on her while her boyfriend was dying for the president.

“I’m fine,” Valeria mumbled as she finally looked at him. Grant saw the bloodshot eyes and the stiff upper lip. She was hurting but refused to admit it.

“It’s okay to mourn. You lost someone you love. He must have been very special.”

Valeria nodded and then looked away again. “He was. And it’s my fault he’s dead. He didn’t ask for this. He was happy in France, and I dragged him into this just like I’m dragging you. You rescued me, now let me rescue you. Leave now. Go back to your base and forget we exist.”

Grant reached out and clasped her hands in his. “You’re not dragging me into anything I don’t want to be in.” He paused. He didn’t want to push her, but they needed a game plan. “When you’re ready, Alex has all the information up that you got in Mexico.”

Valeria took a deep breath, her eyes hardening. “Let’s finish this.” She stood up at the same time Grant did. He stepped back against the sink as they came chest to chest. His arms automatically wrapped around her to catch her as she stumbled. Shit. He’d had women in his arms before. Many, if he was honest. But Valeria? The beautiful, fiery force of nature felt like she was made to be in his arms. He wanted her. And damn the luck that her heart belonged to someone else.