Lachlan, present day
“Ionly met with her one more time after Iceland,” Lachlan told Elissa as they pulled into short-term parking at LAX. “Briefly. Too briefly. And then I didn’t see her again for years.” He wiped a hand over his face, remembering the stupidity, the regret.So much time wasted, and for what? To see her betrayed like this.
Elissa killed the engine and sat staring straight ahead. “I seriously cannot believe it. You two hiding a relationship all those years, from both the CIA and the Navy.” She looked over at him. “And now fromus.”
Lachlan grinned ruefully. “We weren’t hiding a relationship from all of you.”
Elissa rolled her eyes. “Puh-leese.”
“Gina did get a kick out of people speculating she and Psychic had a thing.”
“I heard about that, and I just can’t see it. Costello is head over heels for Jordan. Of course, I missed all the tells thatyouguys were a thing until recently.”
“Because there was nothing to?—”
“Oh, cut the shit, Boss.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “It’s really rude to lie to someone who drives you to LAX. I should be sainted instead.”
Lach caught himself smiling. “Fine. You’re sainted. You think you hate me now though, you’re really gonna hate me when I tell you what I want you to do.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
“This is important, Elissa.” His tone change made her sit up straighter.
“What, Boss?”
“I’m putting you in charge of Watchdog.”
She blinked rapidly. “Excuse me, I think I’m having a seizure. Did you just say you’re putting me in charge of Watchdog?”
“I did, lass.”
“What about Camden? He’swaymore qualified.”
“Camden is the peacemaker, that’s his role in this. If I put him in charge, it’ll fuck that up. So, I suggest you use him to that advantage.”
She shook her head slowly, looking like she was in shock. “Boss, I’m not leadership material.”
“Bullshit.”
“I eat Frosted Sugar Bombs cereal for breakfast. I read kids’ books and play video games. Nobody’s gonna take me seriously.”
“First, everyone listens and respects you, Elissa. Second, you found The Repair Shop all on your own. Third, you know the full story now.”
“Um, not quite,” she said, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. Lach had two hours before wheels up. “We gonna finish our conversation in here, or do I have to follow you all the way through security? Either way, I think you’re crazy for even considering putting me in charge.”
“Well, I’m considering youandNash.”
“Okay, even crazier. Seriously.” She sighed and leaned back in the driver’s seat.
“Jake can’t do it. He’s too impulsive. Psychic on the other hand will ponder everything before he makes a move and time is not on our side right now.”
“So it’s me and Nash by default.”
“It’s you and Nash because you two are the best goddamn people for the goddamn job.” Elissa’s eyes went rounder as Lach’s voice rose. “You think I would leave anything to chance when it comes to finding Gina? For all I fucking know, Malcolm’s one of a dozen people who’ve been sent to kill her and one may have already gotten to her. So stop fighting me on this. Gina considers you her best friend. She trusts you. I’m showing you how much right now. You’re gonna do right by her. Don’t fight me!”
Elissa raised her hands. “Okay, okay, Boss. I’m sorry.”
Lach took a deep breath. “No, I’m sorry.”
