Spy Games (Tarnished Heroes #1)(71)
“What’s wrong?”
“Hmm?” He pivoted, rubbing his chin. He was so fucked.
“Mitch, what’s wrong?”
He had to tell her. Someone would. Besides, it was time to make the decision about who he could—and could not—trust. “Charlie’s body went to the ME today.”
“I’m really sorry about Charlie, Mitch.”
“It wasn’t Charlie.”
“What?”
“Someone killed a man, stuck Charlie’s clothes on him, his wallet, everything, and let us believe he was dead.” Mitch’s stomach rolled. “The mole, they’re behind this. Charlie’s alive somewhere. He’s out there.”
“What?” Irene sat up, eyes open, her gaze lasered in on him. “What did the director say?”
“I didn’t tell him anything. What if—what if the Chinese have him? What if that’s how they’re so close behind us?”
“God, I hope not.”
“I will, I just… Who can we trust?”
“Don’t tell anyone.” She tossed the blankets back. “Every time we get a break, they’re right behind us. It’s time we stopped playing like a team.”
“What about Charlie?” Mitch stared at the floor.
“We get the case, then we can find Charlie.”
Mitch hoped Irene was right. That he’d have the chance to put things to rights, that he wouldn’t have to identify another body.
Chapter Sixteen
Rand stared across the living room at Matt.
His former best friend.
He’d thought about this moment for years, what he’d say, how he’d say it, where he’d start, how he wanted to end. But it was all gone now. He didn’t know how to begin. He didn’t have Sarah’s way with words.
There were few memories he held onto that didn’t contain Matt and Sarah.
“How long has this been going on?” Matt asked.
“Not long.”
“A week? A month? A year?”
“Less than a week.” Rand didn’t pretend to misunderstand Matt. What was the point? They both knew what he was pissed about. “I didn’t… It wasn’t my intention for this to happen.”
Sure, Rand had always had a thing for Sarah, he’d always loved her, but he hadn’t meant to act on it. If he hadn’t been so starved for human contact, maybe it wouldn’t have happened. But it had. And there was no point in wondering what if. And deep down, they had a connection.
“Where have you been all these years?” Matt stared at him as if he didn’t know what Rand was. Sometimes Rand didn’t know.
“Working, mostly overseas.”
Matt’s gaze seemed to read his face. He’d always been perceptive. Which was why growing up Rand couldn’t entertain the slightest idea about Sarah. Matt would have picked up on it. So much for being careful.
“You got out.” Not a question. “What are you doing now?”
“Private contractor.” Not a lie.
“I figured.” Matt scrubbed his hand over his jaw, the five o’ clock shadow making him seem older. “How much shit have you dragged Sarah into?”
“I don’t know—”
“Don’t give me that.” Matt thrust his prosthetic arm forward, the hook for a hand snagging Rand’s attention. “Nothing’s making sense, which tells me something’s up.”
Rand and Matt stared at each other for several long seconds.
They’d trained together. They’d served side by side. Rand couldn’t tell him the truth, but Matt could read between the lines.
“What I can tell you is… Sarah and I have—”
“Cut the crap, Rand. You’re both in trouble, aren’t you?”
He stared at Matt. He couldn’t confirm or deny that question.
“Fuck.” Matt pivoted, walked two steps, pivoted again, and glared at Rand. “How long has that been going on?”
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.” Rand delivered the line in a deadpan voice. It was what he had to say.
“And Sarah. Great. Fucking great. Did you do this?”
“No,” Rand said quickly.
“I’m going to wring her neck. What was she thinking?”
“Right now she’s thinking about how to keep her family safe,” Rand said slowly.
“We’re in danger because of the two of you. Fucking fantastic.”
“Do you have somewhere you could go?”
“Yeah. Mom and Dad aren’t going to like it. What about your parents?”
“They’re fine, last I heard.”
“What the hell are the two of you into?”
Rand kept his mouth shut.
“Why you? Why now?” Matt continued to glare.
“Look, Matt, I’m sorry—”
“You couldn’t find a better time to say that, man, really? After all these years, you waited until now?”
“I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“Fuck you.”
Rand pressed his lips together.
“Why? Why have you never come back? Why am I just now seeing you for the first time in years?”