Chapter 39 #2
Remembering Emilia’s vicious betrayal hurt. She’d seen the mad gleam in her eyes. Knew that the other woman would have happily slaughtered them all. “What’s going to happen to Charlie?”
“I think she’ll be held for a long, long time. And if she provides enough useable intel, maybe they’ll let her go into the WitSec program.” He shook his head and played with her fingers. “I don’t think she’ll be a problem for us.”
“Did she say what happened to Francois Tremblay?”
“Apparently he spotted Bocharov coming out of Emilia’s room and, having spent so much time covering his tracks, the Russian worried the Frenchman might become suspicious.
The meet had been planned to discuss final steps for the op and set up Amed as the fall guy.
Charlie was downstairs at the bar hoping to catch a glimpse of her daughter as they hadn’t been allowed to communicate since Emilia started college.
Ironically, if Bocharov hadn’t fallen back on his baser instincts and murdered Tremblay, we would never have uncovered their plot before we could stop it. ”
It was all so awful. The capacity for causing death and destruction seemed unlimited as long as they got what they wanted.
“The reactor is definitely secure?”
“Shut down, safe and sound. Cops stopped your advisor on his way to the reactor.” Jordan’s eyes went soft. “He didn’t have a clue as to what was going on and appeared to be devastated.”
Her heart hurt. He was such a lovely man.
“I believe the FBI plan to release Amed Hussein as soon as they can one hundred percent verify his version of events. The State Department is bringing his wife and child and parents across for a visit.”
“Trying to make up for a terrible experience.”
Jordan shrugged. “It’s more than they usually do.”
Daisy nodded. She suddenly felt exhausted. “So many lives lost or irrevocably changed.”
“I’m sorry.”
She touched the cheek that was starting to darken with a bruise. “I’ve lost a house but gained a partner I love and trust, and the knowledge that I did something worthwhile. I actually helped prevent a nuclear disaster today, and that’s exactly why I’ve studied all these years in the first place.”
He captured her fingers and kissed them again. “You were incredible. We’ll figure it all out, one step at a time.”
She nodded and felt the first zing of pain streak along her arm. “Oh. Ouch.”
“You okay?”
“The pain meds are wearing off.”
“I’ll call the nurse.”
“Don’t. Not yet.” She squeezed her fingers tighter around his to prevent him from leaving.
Jordan sighed. “Hopefully Charlie can help us ferret out any other moles. Along with how and where they made the replica rods. The original truck driver was found dead in a factory north of Richmond, so that’s the most likely spot for the switch.
Emilia presumably gained access to the designs while working in the lab. ”
“This is going to turn the nuclear industry on its head.” Daisy didn’t know what would happen to their research now. Her advisor might really decide to retire early, and she wouldn’t blame him.
“At least it can change before we have a massive accident. Safety and security protocols can be easily implemented to monitor for C4 or other explosive materials coming inside a reactor.” Jordan was trying to make her feel better.
“I actually find it kind of fascinating…”
“What?”
“The explosive stuff. Maybe I’ll ask Harry how he got onto the bomb squad.”
Jordan went pale. “Great. Later. When you’re better.”
She smiled. “Did I tell you I love you, Jordan Krychek?”
He laughed. “I could hear it again.”
“I love you. And I’m going to prove it to you as soon as I get out of this place.”
“You won’t be getting out of here until tomorrow at the very earliest.” His voice firmed. “Proving anything can wait until you are completely healed.”
“Is that an order?” She fluttered her lashes up at him, and he flushed again.
He leaned down and finally kissed her. “Damned right it is.”
“I like it when you get all masterful with me.”
“Really,” he raised a superior brow. “I hadn’t noticed.”
Warmth spread through her chest. “I like how you make love to me.”
His eyes changed, vulnerable again. “I do, too.”
“And how you fucked me against the wall at the academy.”
His eyes widened, then narrowed, irises no longer shadowed and tormented but deeply amused and slightly turned on. “You better behave with your dad around. It’s only because you got shot that he hasn’t beaten me to a pulp yet.”
She skimmed her fingers over his jawline. “He loves you. You have a new family now.”
He smiled, just a little. Kissed her knuckles. “Go to sleep, Montana.”
This time she let herself drift. Let herself believe that he’d be there when she woke up.
Thank you for reading Cold Heat.