Avery stilled. “I’m sorry, have we met?”
“Only on paper.”
Avery frowned. “I’m not sure I know what that means.”
“It means, I’ve read your file. You’re with the Bureau, currently working counterterrorism. Do a lot of work through the DoJ. Which is exactly the kind of connection I’m trying to avoid.”
Some of the color drained from Avery’s face. Not as pale as Nick, but close. “How do you?—”
“It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that our agreement stands.” Tier lowered her weapon, nodded at Buck. “You and your friends should go.”
“Tierney, wait.” Buck took a few quick steps, stopped when she glared at him, her weapon firm across her chest, ready but not aimed at him. “You know I wouldn’t be here — wouldn’t have brought them — if it wasn’t important.”
Tierney’s jaw clenched, the muscle in her temple jumping. “Whatever this is, I doubt it’s important enough to make me want to work with the CIA, again.”
Buck froze, breath held, mouth slightly opened. He gazed back at Nick, then over to Tierney.
She didn’t flinch, just looked past Buck at Colter. “Hey, Nick. You look like shit.”
Nick stumbled forward, eyes wide. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, finally clearing his throat. “Jesus, Tierney. Is that really…” He swallowed, sounded as if it didn’t quite go down right. “They told me your entire team got ambushed. That you were all killed. How…”
The corner of her mouth quirked, what Rowan could only describe as terror flashing through the other woman’s eyes before she drew herself up. “Dumb luck, I suppose. Though, it you ask me, they were the lucky ones.” Tier motioned to the path out. “You need to go.”
“No, Tierney, I…” Nick’s voice trailed off, as if he’d simply run out of air.
Buck closed the distance, holding his ground when she pointed the rifle at him. “How long have we known each other?”
Her lip quivered. “A while.”
“Nearly a year.” He inched closer, knocked the barrel aside. “You know I’d never hurt you. Never let anyone hurt you.”
“I can’t…” She glanced at them, shook her head. “I’m not that person, anymore.” She tapped her temple. “It’s not right up here.”
“There’s nothing wrong with who you are.” Buck reached out, tucked some hair behind her ear. “I hear the voices, too. See the same ghosts. And that’s okay. Just hear us out. Please.”
Tierney closed her eyes, mumbled something under her breath, then shoved the weapon into Buck’s hands. “The yard’s wired. Best if everyone sticks to the path.”
She turned, headed inside without looking back.
Buck waited until she’d disappeared before walking over to them. “She’s not joking. The entire area’s wired. Stay on the path and don’t make any sudden moves. She’s likely still armed, and she draws faster than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Bodie snagged Nick’s arm before he could go. “First, Avery, now Tierney. Is there anyone you don’t know?”
Nick glanced at the door, hissed out a breath. “It’s not often I’m caught this off-guard, but damn. The last time I saw her, she was headed on a recon mission, then…” He closed his eyes for a moment. “We searched for weeks before the compound got overrun. I thought…” He cleared his throat, again, though it still sounded as if he had a lump in it. “I can’t imagine what she’s been though. How she got here. Though, for the record, Buck’s right about her skill set. The Tierney O’Rourke I knew would have ruled the Wild West. But, she’s exceptional, and someone I’d trust to have my back.”
“You think she’s still that person?”
“I think her experience likely rivals Dalton’s, but I’d bet money her heart hasn’t changed. And she seems to have a connection with Buck, so…”
Bodie nodded, waved Rowan ahead of him, once again guarding her six. She trailed after Nick, stepped inside Tierney’s cabin, smiled at the unexpected interior. With soft colors and comfortable furniture, the neat, organized space looked more like a resort than the rundown shack she’d been expecting. Only Buck seemed unfazed by the extreme contrast, and she couldn’t help but wonder how many times he’d been inside.
Tierney stood in the far corner, arms folded across her chest, looking as if she was one stress away from chewing on her thumbnail. She didn’t speak, just silently assessed everything, as they fanned out. Rowan leaned against the opposite wall, close but with enough space she hoped the other woman didn’t feel threatened.
Buck settled in next to Tierney. “You never told me you were former-CIA.”
Tierney snorted. “Do I look like I was ever with the Agency?” She shifted her weight on her feet, obviously deciding how much to say before she sighed. “It’s a long story, but I was a field agent with Interpol, and I crossed paths with Nick a bunch of times on joint missions.” She eyed him. “How old’s that bullet wound to your right shoulder, Colter?”
Nick chuckled. “Never could fool you when it came to injuries. I swear you’re like a shark. Smell a drop a blood a mile away. And it’s old enough.”
