“It’s not like that, Paige.” It wasn’t. It was more than wanting to impress Kinley or even find that temple she talked about.
“Then explain what it’s like. Because I was enjoying myself on the beach and now I’m being eaten alive by mosquitos.” She slapped at her arm to emphasize her point.
Running his hands through his curls that no amount of gel or product could tame, he summarized the events of the last day.
“Why can’t we turn this over to the authorities?” Paige asked.
“Kinley’s afraid if we turn this over to the authorities or go to the foundation she’s working for, she’ll get taken off the team.”
Paige stared at him, assessing him, fucking reading him in that uncanny way of hers.
“I need this, Paige. For the first time since I blew out my knee, I feel like I have a purpose. I know this isn’t a mission, but this whole situation is… I can’t explain it.” Not in a way that would make sense to anyone else, at least. He felt…alive. Like he could breathe deep.
She sighed. “Do you need a team with you? I agree it’s not a good idea for your buddies to be here—there are too many things that can go wrong. It’s a slow week at home, which is whyIwas on vacation, so I can have a couple guys here in a day or two.”
All the expected tension left his body, even with her dig at being pulled away from her trip, and he relaxed his shoulders. His biggest fear was that Leonidas wouldn’t provide support. He could manage on his own, but it would be harder.
“I’ve got it covered for now.”
Paige lifted her chin a fraction in agreement. “I’m going to stage Devon, Harrison, and Jordan in Flores. They’ll attract less attention in a bigger city. I’ve also got Angie digging into any back chatter she can find so we can have some kind of idea of what group or groups we’re dealing with. I’m telling you now, if I think this is too much for you to handle on your own, I’m sending the team in.”
She opened the door and left the small room. That had gone better than he expected. He thought she’d drag them all back to the airport and tell them they were idiots. The fact that she already had Leonidas’s cybertech specialist looking into it meant she’d never intended on pulling him off this mission…case…adventure. It didn’t matter what he called it. Right now, it was his purpose.
He followed Paige out of the room and found Oakley, Ghost, and Kinley gathered around the small table while Paige hefted a large pack onto it.
“You have a GPS and satellite phone as well as sleeping bags and camping gear,” she said.
“And rations.” Oakley held up an MRE.
“We are definitely going to the resort,” Ghost said.
Paige held up a large square of paper. “There are also maps of the area.”
He took a map and unfolded it, spreading it out on the table. Kinley already had the LIDAR images out and laid them over it.
“The images aren’t the greatest since I got them from the internet, but this should be the temple,” Kinley said, pointing at a bright square.
“I’ll send the coordinates to the team so they know where you’re headed.” Paige pulled out her phone and tapped on it with her thumbs. “You’re safe in the house and village, but don’t linger for more than a day or two.”
“We’ll set out at first light,” Shane said.
“All right. There’s a four-wheel-drive parked behind the house. Keys are in the center console. We’ll take the vehicle you acquired earlier and leave it somewhere along the way,” Paige said. “Be careful, Shane. Call the teambeforeyou need them ASAP.”
His lips quirked up. “Thanks, Paige.”
“Don’t thank me—I was going to leave your ass here. The only reason I came is Graham agreed to cover the cost of my resort.” She waved over her shoulder.
Shane grinned after her. She was so full of it. She wouldn’t leave anyone out to hang. Give them shit for an eternity, sure, but she’d be the first one into the fray if one of the team needed it.
Ghost and Oakley stopped in front of him.
“Kind of feel like the job is only half done,” Ghost said.
Shane clasped his hand and pulled him into a one-armed hug, slapping him on the shoulder while Ghost did the same. “There’s always another job.”
“Yeah. Next time let’s go right to the all-inclusive.”
He left and Shane and Oakley hugged it out.
