“I plan to beat the shit out of him tomorrow. Don’t worry,” I jest, except I can’t really say it’s a joke since it was Owen’s idea to become early morning sparring partners.
Declan chuckles. “Night.”
“Night, Dec.”
After switching off the light to try to get some sleep, the phone rings again. I blindly reach for it on the bedside table, expecting to find Declan’s name on the screen. Besides Ella, he’s the only one who calls me after work hours.
I’m surprised when I see my new partner's name pop up on the screen.
“Gray?” I ask, unable to hide the slight clip of concern in my tone.
There’s an almost inaudible sniffle on the other end before he clears his throat. “Nova, this is all so fucked up.”
I don’t have to guess what he means, but I sit up taller in the bed, my body tensing.
“I know. Listen, I’m fully aware I might be the reason you lose your new position. I never intended to pull you into this mess. I’ve talked to my lawyer, and we are doing everything we can to make sure you don’t lose your job or serve any jail time.”
I can almost hear Gray shaking his head on the other end. “It’s not that.” He sniffles again. “I’m worried about you.”
I flinch. I wasn’t expecting concern.
Gray has been working at the CIA for ten years. His previous position was designing new tech for field agents. He’d only recently been promoted right before our mission. He’d always been quiet but confident and committed to his job.
And I’d fucked him on his first field assignment.
“I’ve been reviewing all the recorded comms and reports,” he continues. “Besides when you decided to go off the books and follow your lead, there’s nothing. No wrongdoing whatsoever.”
“When there are that many civilian deaths, there’s always wrongdoing, and it doesn’t matter who’s at fault. Justice needs to be served, and sometimes it’s easier to serve it to the person most directly involved.”
“What about the investigation?” There’s a hint of hope in his voice that I’m very much about to squash.
“If we couldn’t get to the bottom of it after years of tracking these guys, you think investigators, who’ve never been involved, can figure it out?” It's a rhetorical question, and when Gray doesn’t respond, I can tell he knows it.
Another shaky inhale is all I hear on the other end for what seems like minutes.
“What can I do to help you?” he asks in almost a whisper, and my heart breaks a little bit.
This man, who’s worked with me only one time, cares enough to call in the middle of the night and ask how he can help me, instead of worrying about himself.
At that moment, I know what I have to do, even if it means the end of my career and possible jail time. I need to damn myself and clear his name.
“Nothing, Gray. I’ve been through these things before.” A blatant lie. “Take care of your report and tell the whole truth. I’ve got myself covered.”
This time, his breathing sounds steadier, like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
“Ok,” he says more confidently. “But let me know if you need any of the comms from the mission for your report. I know you lost a lot of blood and hit your head, so your memory might be a little patchy.”
If only he knew the extent of it.
“Thanks, Gray. And thanks for checking in. I really appreciate the support.”
“Anytime, Nova. You’re the best of the best, and I wouldn’t want to lose you. I’ve been crossing all fingers and toes that I’d be partnered with you. Because, with you, I feel safe.”
My heart squeezes, and I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe.
“Thank you. You won’t lose me.” Another blatant lie. “Night, Gray.”
“Night, Nova.” This time, he sounds almost cheery, even if my heart is bleeding.
