Snake Eater - THE BRAVO BOYS [book three]

Chapter THIRTY TWO

Logan Nash

After the briefing and a considerable effort on my part not to patronize the Specter agents with long winded explanations of my overly complex safeguard solutions, I remain by Iris' desk as everyone begins to file out of the spymaster's office.. The bosslady doesn't look up from the collection of blue folders amassed on her desk, choosing to ignore my lingering presence.. Only Shelby stops to notice my hesitation.. She turns back to me, confusion contorting her pretty face.. "Aren't you coming, Logan?"

The way she includes me, as if I were one of them, as if I actually fit in here, it is an oddly comforting sense of belonging that I never thought I needed.. I had belonged to something bigger than myself once before and all it had earned me was pain and suffering.. But this feels different.. There is a sense of comradery, of unity here that I can't help but envy..

These people aren't just coworkers.. They're friends..

"Yeah, I just gotta verify some data, you go on, I'll catch up.." A forced smile tightens my jaw and a newfound guilt claws at my chest as I fake a casual contentment..

I hate lying to The Army Barbie..
She doesn't deserve it..

Satisfied by my false sense of security Shelby shrugs, offering me a flirtatious wink in return.. "Okay, I'll wait for you downstairs.."

Patiently pausing for the group to be out of earshot, I cross to the door and fling it closed as Iris finally lifts her hazel fixation from her papers.. "I'm sure whatever it is you need could be provided by our Zeta Team analysts-"

"Cut the shit, Iris.. You know why I'm here." Venomous distrust spits from my mouth as I glare at the woman, sickened by the fresh revelations I'd uncovered during my final inspections of the data in question..

Classified files of a black ops nature that I'm sure weren't suppose to meet the light of day..

But now I've seen them..

She blinks twice, razor sharp amber narrowing on me in convincing confusion as her head jerks with a bemused bobble.. "I'm quite sure I don't, Darling.."

"You can quit pretending.. I know exactly what Sabre was looking for.. I've seen the files.. It's only a matter of time before I get my hands on the unredacted versions, so you might as well come clean.." I had known Iris was capable of underhanded acts and callous practicality, but I'd never truly thought of her as so corrupt she would betray one of her own.. "Does Shelby know you sold her out?"

Leaning back with an effortless affect and bored sigh, she waves a hand to the chair opposite her.. "Sit down, Darling.."

"No.." I refuse, anger firm in my cold tone... "I don't want some bullshit story, I want the truth-"

"Sit." She snaps a forceful barking command and I unwillingly yield, folding into the seat before her.. It goes against everything I had sworn to stand for, allowing her to command me like this.. But I remind myself that I have to do whatever it takes to find the answers.. For Shelby..

I promised her that I would help her, despite my better judgement and against all reason, I had given her my word.. But after last night, everything had changed between us.. That promise became a vow, a sacred trust that I refuse to break..
In the aftermath of our now irrefutable intimacy, I am beginning to admit to myself just how much I care about her..

It doesn't make any sense and it sure as shit complicates my life, but I think I might be falling in love with Shelby Quinn..

"You seem angry today, Dear.. More so than usual.." Pursing her lips in a thinly veiled conspiratorial smile, Iris locks me in her unwavering gaze..