Tommy squeaked out a laugh. “Jesus, possessive much?”
“That’s right.” I tightened my grip on Mia’s wrist. “She’s mine. Not community property until I say so. Anyone has a problem with that, we can discuss it when we get back.”
“Nobody’s got a problem,” Diesel said, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Long as you remember the rules. She causes trouble, it’s on you.”
“I know the fucking rules, Diesel.”
“Just making sure.” He lit another cigarette, filling the car with smoke. “Oliver’s got that big meeting coming up. Last thing we need is complications.”
The big meeting. ThePatriots’ Gatheringthat was the whole reason I was undercover. Buyers from multiple organizations would be coming to bid on Oliver’s stockpile of weapons. He’d brought me in to verify and catalog his inventory—make sure he could deliver what he promised.
“There won’t be complications.” Because I sure as shit was going to make sure Mia was gone before I met Julian Oliver and took him down.
“Better not be.” Snake’s voice carried warning. “Oliver finds out we brought a civilian to the compound without clearing it first?—”
“I’ll handle Oliver.”
The SUV hit a pothole, jostling everyone. Mia’s hand grabbed my thigh for balance, then jerked away like she’d been burned. But in that brief second of contact, I felt her trembling. The adrenaline crash was hitting her hard.
“Hey.” Tommy was peering around me again. “I think she’s about to?—”
Mia lurched forward suddenly, hand clamped over her mouth.
“Pull over.”
“What? No fucking way?—”
“Pull over now!” I roared it, and Diesel reacted on instinct, yanking the wheel hard right. The SUV skidded onto the shoulder in a spray of gravel. I had Mia’s door open before we’d fully stopped, half carrying her as she stumbled into the ditch.
She fell to her knees in the dried grass, retching violently. Her whole body shook with the force of it.
I stood between her and the others, blocking their view. “Get back in the fucking vehicle,” I snarled when I heard a door open.
“I was just—” Tommy started.
“Now.”
A car door slammed. When Mia finally stopped heaving, she stayed on her hands and knees, gasping. I knelt beside her, keeping my body angled to block the others’ view.
“Look at me,” I whispered urgently.
She lifted her head. Tears tracked through the dirt on her face.
“I’m sorry,” I breathed, the words barely audible. “Play along. It’s the only way. Please.”
Trust me.The words were almost out of my mouth, but why the hell would she trust me at all, given the circumstances.
Her eyes searched mine—hurt, betrayed, terrified—but underneath it all, I saw recognition. She knew I was trying to save her.
She nodded almost imperceptibly.
“Can you stand?”
Another nod. I helped her to her feet, steadying her when she swayed.
“Done?” I asked louder, injecting coldness back into my voice.
She nodded again.
