Shattered Lies (Web of Lies #3)(50)

It rubbed Valeria the wrong way to be considered a liability, but she understood. She threatened family members all the time to get people to talk. “We’ll be invisible. We’ll stay in the van or in lookout positions.”

“I think we can handle that.”

“Rebecca or Stephanie Rankin,” a hotel staffer called out as he walked through the sand in his white shorts and bright blue polo.

“Here!” Rebecca called out from her chair in front of Grant and Valeria.

“We have you scheduled for a shuttle to the airport this evening, however, your flight has been changed. You leave in two hours. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

The sisters quickly gathered their things as Grant called the man over. “I just got notice our flight was also cancelled and rebooked for earlier. Can you arrange two more seats on that shuttle for us?”

“Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Browning.”

Valeria watched the staffer hurry back to the resort as she gave one last look out over the ocean. It had been twelve blissful hours, but reality was a bitch.



* * *



Dalton, Lizzy, and Jason were the first to arrive at the tunnels. She hated waiting but knew it would be safer to go through the tunnels all at once. With the increased security, she didn’t want to have to open and close the hidden entrance to the White House residence more than necessary.

Dalton had given her the abbreviated version of what had happened, and since then, neither he nor Jason had said much. Lizzy didn’t push. She had said she would go with them and they’d both said no with such force she didn’t bring it up again. She’d see what Valeria said because she had no intention of staying behind.

The secret door leading from the basement of the hotel opened and Valeria entered, followed by Grant and Alex. Grant looked around in wonder, and Lizzy wondered if she’d ever looked so awestruck. Then she remembered the first time she came through the tunnels she had a sack over her head.

Lizzy greeted them as Dalton began to lead the pack up the tunnels. Lizzy hung back and put a restraining hand on Valeria’s arm for a brief second. It was more than enough as Valeria instantly slowed and moved to her side.

Lizzy leaned her head close and whispered, “Has Grant said anything about New York?”

“Yes,” Valeria whispered. “I thought you’d want to talk about this. He said the guys would want to leave us behind.”

“Dalton already said I couldn’t go.”

“Well,” Valeria said, before looking up to make sure they weren’t overheard. “I knew you’d feel the same way I do, which I told Grant. He said this colonel is scary evil, and I agree after hearing about him. He’s worried if we go with them, neither he nor Dalton will be able to hide the fact they care about us.”

“So?” Lizzy started but then stopped and smiled. “Grant cares about you?”

Valeria blushed slightly and Lizzy’s grin widened. She had thought relationships would hurt the operation, but instead they made them stronger. Tate’s rescue of Birch would never have succeeded if she didn’t love him.

“Grant believes the colonel would purposely hurt us just to throw them off. I actually agree with him.”

“There’s no way I’m staying behind if he’s that bad,” Lizzy hissed as she tried to keep her voice down.

“I agree. I told Grant that, and he agrees that we can be outside the facility in a backup vehicle or in a sniper position. While we won’t be inside with them, we’ll at least be nearby if they need to make a quick exit.”

Lizzy wanted to say no, but it was a good plan. “Let’s do it then. I’ll take sniper and you take driver. Then we’ll have both positions covered. I’m sure Dalton and Jason will agree to that.”

They were all quiet as they climbed the stairs. Lizzy sent a message to Humphrey and a few very long minutes later the secret door opened and Humphrey’s bald head poked in.

“It’s all clear. We’re meeting in the Treaty Room.” Was it just her or was Humphrey walking a little taller today? Saving the president’s life could do that to a person.

Birch was standing when they walked in. His hand and a hip were leaning against the polished table, but he looked better than he did on the video chat a few days before. He was back in a suit and tie. His light brown hair had been freshly cut, he had shaved, yet he still looked tired. There was pain etched along the fine lines around his mouth and eyes.

Tate was sitting in a chair with her leg propped on a small ottoman. She smiled to the group. Her blonde highlighted hair was pulled back into a loose bun at the base of her neck, and while she looked worried, she remained the optimistic go-getter.

“It’s so good to see you both in person,” Lizzy said, shaking Birch’s hand and leaning over to hug Tate. Every one else fell in line behind her making their rounds to welcome Tate and Birch back into action.

Lizzy watched as Valeria hung back. She was the last to shake Birch’s hand and then she almost pulled Tate from the chair with her hug. There had been a time when Valeria thought Tate was nothing more than a talking bobble-headed reporter. Now, as they embraced, it seemed they were family. Well, they were. This crazy mix of people was family. They had her back and now she needed to have theirs.

“It’s great to be together again, but I’m afraid we need to get back to work. Dalton, why don’t you fill them in,” Lizzy said, raising her voice slightly over the greetings.