“I can’t protect you anymore, Nova. You’re on your own with this one.” He sounds so defeated that tears spring to my eyes.
“I know. You don’t have to, Dec. You never had to, though I appreciate that you always have.”
Declan sighs. “Even if you take down this crime syndicateandprovide evidence clearing Mr. Mills, I don’t think I can get you your job back. Not with so many infractions.”
“I don’t want it.” I hadn’t even let myself think those words. The CIA is my whole life, but as I look around the room at the people who’ve risked their own lives and careers to help me, all of them zeroed in on my conversation with Dec, I realize the CIA might not be what I want anymore. This job isn’t my whole life.
They are.
“You’ve worked so hard, Nova. How can you say that?”
“Because I’ve realized there’s more to life than this. There’s more than putting bad guys behind bars.” I don’t know why I’m suddenly whispering. “I want tolive,Dec. I’m done. No more chasing revenge that will never fill the hole in my chest since my father's death.”
I hear him sigh on the other end of the phone, his voice also coming out as a whisper. “And Owen?”
“What about him?” I rein in the anger that throws me off at the mention of his name.
“What if you can’t get him out?”
It’s a practical question, one I’ve avoided asking myself for fear of the answer.
“Then at least I tried. At least I can live without the regret.”
There’s a long silence. He knows I’m full of shit.
“He has the best lawyers in the city, thanks to his father,” Noell says carefully.
My head snaps to Noell, who sheepishly smiles at me. That’s a story I’m going to have to pry out of her when this is done.
Declan continues, “And your evidence is good, especially with your whistleblower, but if you can’t get Peyton to testify and show up to courton time, then I think the best you can hope for is twenty years.”
I growl, unable to help my reaction. That fucker better testify.
Noah chuckles from the doorway, leaning against it in the easy way he always does, arms folded across his chest. It’s almost as if he’s looking forward to the hell I will rain down on the man myself.
“I’ll get him to testify,” I say through gritted teeth.
Declan laughs this time, probably since he knows full well the facial expression I’m wearing. How did I ever doubt him?
“But what about you? Are you coming to the trial? Are you testifying for him?” he asks.
I’ve dreaded this question, but there’s no way I’m sitting this one out, not if it helps Owen. “If the lawyers think it will help, I’ll testify. Regardless, I’ll be there.”
I notice everyone’s shoulders drop a little at my words.
Another long silence has me already anticipating Declan’s next question. “And Gray? Do you have any evidence?”
Declan sounds like he wants to track the man down and strangle him to death. I don’t blame him. I want to do the same.
“Not yet. Eagan’s working on hacking his computer now.”
The use of Eagan’s name has Declan asking another question. “That reminds me, Eagan.”
Eagan’s head snaps up from the computer, and he pales.
“Once you gather all that evidence, I’d like to have a chat with you in my office.”
Eagan’s eyes widen, and Ella holds back a laugh, smothering it with her hand.
