A warning bell sounds in my head.
“That what this is all about?” I ask, like he and I are the only two men in the room, like chairs aren’t congregated around his desk in a half-moon, rapt faces listening.
Grayson’s eyes narrow. “What are you getting at, Holt?”
I eye him silently. Doesn’t take words for him to know.
He turns to Jack. “How’d it go?”
“Fine.”
“She say anything to you?”
He shrugs. “Not a word she didn’t have to. Made it clear Mav’s the only one she’ll talk to.”
Jack eyes me with a chuckle. “Not sure what you did, but you’re all she wants.”
“For God’s sake,” I grumble, trying to mask the heat that climbs my neck.
“Hmm,” our boss says. The leather of his chair creaks as he leans back, staring at the ceiling.
“How do we help her?” I hear myself ask, like I’m outside of my body. No longer in control of myself. Dammit. I need more space from this case.
Not to care. Not to make it so damn obvious.
“The question on everyone’s mind.” Grayson frowns. “No easy answer.”
The room goes silent for a long, untenable moment.
“Holt, you’re back with Mia.”
What?But I know better than to question a superior, especially in front of the rest of the crew.
“Need to use what little time we have strategically. She’s told you more than anybody else, and it’s clear she trusts you. So, keep us posted on everything.”
I nod, clench my jaw, and stare at the floor for one moment. May live to regret this.
“Sir,” I say, leveling my gaze at him, “mind if we have a word alone?”
Grayson leans forward, face uncompromising. Then, his eyes dart past me. “You heard the newbie. Back to work, everyone. Be there shortly.”
After the shuffling of chairs and footfalls settles, and the door closes behind us, I face Grayson, body tense. Not quite sure what to say or how much to give away.
He rests his arms on the desk, hands folded, waiting.
“You said it yourself, Sir. Mia trusts me, which means I need to know—with certainty—that what I’m doing is for the right reasons.” I pause for a moment, then add, “In her best interests.” I have to say this because no one else will.
“Rest assured, this is for Mia.”
“Not the pop star. The woman.”
His eyes narrow. Then, he nods curtly. “Report back everything. Understood?”
“Understood,” I grunt.
I’ve spent my life believing there is always a right and a wrong way. Hell, it’s how I succeeded in the National Guard and the rodeo ring.
But now, there’s only this…
