Second-in-Command (Men of Hidden Justice Book 2) by Melanie Moreland

Author:Melanie Moreland [Moreland, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Moreland Books Inc
Published: 2021-11-10T18:30:00+00:00

Missy slipped her hand in mine, the palm damp and cool. I squeezed her fingers. “It’s just to talk to someone, sweetheart.”

“I know. I’m nervous, though. Can you come in?”

“I think Dr. Easton prefers one-on-one. She wants to make sure you’re comfortable and not holding back with me there.”

“Okay. But you’ll be here?”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Dr. Easton came out, shook my hand, and introduced herself to Missy. They headed into her office, and the last thing I saw was Missy’s anxious gaze as the door closed. It took everything in me not to follow her in there. I wanted to hold her hand and help her through this process, but I knew from personal experience she had to do it on her own.

I wasn’t surprised when Julian appeared, seating himself across from me. He would know I was in the building. Nothing happened here he wasn’t aware of. The small office building housed one of the most secretive organizations in existence, yet to the outside world was simply another structure in a bustling city. A small legitimate company he ran was a front—but highly successful. Employees were coming and going, deliveries and repairs happening just like any other business, and it blended perfectly. Two front-facing, main-floor legitimate businesses added to the illusion—both handpicked by Julian to serve a purpose. A small café and a corner convenience store were busy and prosperous. Like me, Julian preferred to hide out in the open. No one saw the expensive computer hacking system, the diligent teams that worked behind the screens. The hidden office he worked from. The dedicated professionals who strove to make the city and the world a little safer, one mission at a time.

It was a never-ending, thankless, unseen job that few chose to do, and always had an expiry date. No one could do it forever. It extracted far too heavy a price from your sanity.

“How is she?” he asked.

“I think this will help. She needs to talk, and every time she shares, I want to kill someone.” I ran a hand over my hair with a rueful smirk. “I had to order a new punching bag yesterday.”

He nodded. “You’re in deep with her, Marcus. Is that wise?”

I met his gaze. He looked concerned, but not angry or judgmental. I shrugged helplessly. “I can’t control it, Julian. I didn’t plan on it and it has surprised me as much as it has you, but it’s there.”

“A draw,” he said quietly. “Like Matteo had to Evie.”

I laughed at the irony of his words. “Yeah, like Matteo. But at least I didn’t marry her the same night.”

“But will you?”

His question stopped me. “I don’t know.”

“I can get her a fresh start. New name. Send her some place safe where I can keep tabs on her. Make sure she’s okay.”

The thought of her leaving, of her being somewhere I couldn’t protect her, couldn’t touch her, made me crazy. “No,” I said emphatically. “No, you cannot.”

He relaxed back into the cushions. “I suppose I have my answer.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.