Mine To Protect (Mine #6)(59)
“I’m not giving her up.” Cold, lethal words.
“She’s just a case,” Percy responded flatly. “You, of all people, should know that personal involvement is never a good idea. I have to say, I’m mighty disappointed in you. Here I am, offering you the world and you—”
“She is my world.” And she didn’t know it.
A long, black limo turned onto the street. When he saw that limo, Luther knew that Drake and Jasmine had arrived. Talk about fast back-up. Drake had told him they were close, but Victor hadn’t realized just how soon they’d be on the scene.
“Get your head in the game, Agent,” Percy snapped. “Stop thinking with your dick.”
Victor stepped toe-to-toe with the bastard. “This is my last case. I’ve been planning a career change for a while now.”
Percy’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“I’m going private. My brother-in-law and I…we’ll be doing some ventures together.” He gave the assistant director a cold smile. “So consider this my notice, *. I’m done with you and your shit. And if you ever say anything that so much as feels a little negative in regard to Zoe again, I will beat the ever loving shit out of you. FBI or no FBI.”
“B-but—but—”
“Now, I’m going in the Vine, and I’m getting Zoe out. I’m doing that shit, either with your support or without it.” He narrowed his eyes on Percy. “You’re a dumbass who hasn’t been in the field in over ten years. You don’t know when a situation is about to go super nova, but I do, and I won’t risk her.”
Percy puffed out his chest. “I won’t allow a single other agent to follow you in there—”
“This agent will be following him in,” Russell announced as he jumped out of the van. “Because Victor Monroe has never steered me wrong. I’ll cover his back.”
Percy sucked in a sharp, stunned breath.
“I’ve been meaning to say,” Victor murmured to Russell. “I could sure use you in my new business venture.”
“We’ll talk about my split soon enough,” Russell assured him. “Count on it.”
Victor nodded. It was good to have the right friends at your side.
Drake and Jasmine were closing in. Russell was ready to go. And Percy…
“Get the f*ck out of my way,” Victor barked at the guy.
The assistant director stumbled back.
***
Lauren knew she had just been witness to a scene that would become legendary at the FBI. Victor and Russell had just handed the assistant director his own ass.
Now they were striding toward the Vine, and Percy was just standing there, looking lost. No doubt, he was feeling lost, too.
She cleared her throat. The idea of striding after those guys was tempting, but she’d just started her career with the FBI. Walking away now? Not so much an option for her.
But doing the right thing? That was what they should all do. “Sir,” Lauren began carefully as she climbed out of the van and moved toward him, “we have Tom’s confession. The longer that we leave Zoe Peters with him, the more volatile the situation will become.”
He whirled toward her. “You think I need some rookie telling me how to do my job?”
Her chin notched up. “Right now, yes, sir, I do.” Try another tactic. “Unless you want Agent Monroe getting all of the credit for the takedown. I mean, if you are providing tactical support, the operation is still technically under your supervision. But if you let him go in there, without any of your team…well, you’re essentially turning everything over to him.”
His jaw hardened. “You were a f*cking psych major in college, weren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.” She actually had a Master’s in psychology.
“You think I don’t know when I’m being played?”
“I think you don’t know how to be human.” There. She was probably going to get some really shitty assignments in the future, but she’d spoken the truth. “Didn’t you see the way Victor looked when he talked about Zoe? He loves her. And you were asking him to just keep risking her life. That wasn’t going to happen.”
“Victor Monroe doesn’t love anyone.”
She bit her lower lip. Maybe the assistant director needed to take a few psych classes.
“He doesn’t,” Percy said stubbornly.
“Then why did he just quit the FBI so that he could rush into the Vine and get Zoe Peters back to safety?”
“The cop needs us!”
On that, she agreed. “Then the FBI should be pulling out all the stops. We save Michelle Lane and Zoe. We storm that place and we don’t let anyone get in our way.” Each word came out more heated than the last. “I didn’t join the Bureau to sit on the sidelines. With respect, sir, I joined to kick some ass.”
He was silent a moment.
Her hand nervously tapped against her holster. Every moment that passed was a moment that everything could be going to hell inside of the Vine. Every moment…
“Agent Ward,” Percy barked. “Get the tactical team moving.”
“Right away!” A wide grin split her face. She rushed to follow his order.
“And Agent Ward…”