“Let’s make sure she never does.”
Patch groaned. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to be stuck between the two of you?”
“That’s your own damn fault for putting yourself there.” McGuire raised his mug. “So, now that you have my sister’s trust, which by the way, I don’t approve of your methods, did she tell you anything about what she knows?”
“Not yet. I’ve been a little busy—you know, seducing your sister.” He grinned like the devil.
“I guess I deserved that one.” McGuire let out a slow breath. “But seriously, how bad is it?”
“She didn’t say much, but it has to do with you-know-what and she believes the only solution is to become a ghost. She wants me to talk you into it.”
“Over my dead body.”
Patch set his mug down and leaned back on both elbows. “You’ve got to stop treating Savvy like a child. You don’t treat Drew this way, and Drew's a loose cannon who refuses to speak to her sister of dumb shit.”
“I won't disagree about how Drew treats Savvy, but for me, different women, different problems.” McGuire arched a brow. “And I've never treated Savvy like she’s?—”
“Yes, you have and you are. First with me and then with her job. She’s had higher clearance than all of us combined. She knows more about the world of covert ops than we did when living it. Hell, she’s in charge of something we won’t even dare say out loud. Not to mention, I wouldn’t be alive today had it not been for Savvy, and our team wouldn’t have survived had it not been for her. She’s the fucking smartesthumanI know. I trust her with my damn life. Give her some grace and listen to her. And I mean mouth closed, ears open. I know she’s your littlesister, and I get you’re protective. I understand that instinct. But she’s just as good as we are in the field. You’ve got to believe that.”
“You’ve seen her in action. I never have,” McGuire said softly. “I’ve heard stories about her. People have said shit, not knowing it’s my sister they’re talking about, and it floors me. I don’t know how to take that. She’s just Savvy to me. The kid who refused to break curfew. The one who always followed the rules. The one who wouldn’t even have a beer until she was twenty-one. I don’t see her the same way you do. Or even the same way Drew does, but even that’s different. Those two can’t be in the same room without threatening to level the other.”
“Sounds like you and me… when it comes to Savvy.” Patch arched a brow.
“I’m going to ask an asshole question, but I want an honest answer.”
“All right.”
“Why can’t you keep your hands to yourself when it comes to my sister?” McGuire asked. “Because you said you wouldn’t be the man who hurt her again.”
“Nothing like reminding me I’m a dick.” Patch sat up, snagged his coffee, and took a large gulp. “Even though I told her I can’t give her anything, she still wanted me. She still wanted something. Maybe all she wanted was to feel alive after nearly dying. We’ve all been there, and what I can’t do is deny that woman anything, and that, I don’t have an explanation for.”
“I do,” McGuire said. “You love her, and I will use that to push you.”
“I don’t love?—”
“Shut up.” McGuire glared. “You do, and because of that, you’ll make her see what she needs to do, not just for herself, but for justice.” McGuire smiled. “And maybe even for you, if you’d get your head out of your ass for five minutes.”
Patch leaned forward, dumping out the last few drops of his coffee. “Why are you here?”
“I heard from Darius. He wants to do a secure video chat with the team and my sister. I need you both at my place in two hours.”
“You could’ve called to tell me that.”
McGuire shook his head. “I needed to see for myself if this was heading where I knew it would. Now that I know it went there, and fast, I know you’ll do whatever it takes. I’m counting on that.”
“Have I told you what a big pain in the ass you are?”
McGuire jumped to his feet. “I love you, too, man.” He waved his hand over his head. “Take care of my sister.”
“You know I will.” Patch winked.
“I’ve got to stop saying that,” McGuire said as he strolled to his Jeep. “It now has a different meaning, and it’s gross.”
Patch shook his head, laughed, and watched his best friend drive away, glad that was over with.
But now he had a different problem. Getting Savvy to be completely open and honest wasn’t the problem. She wasn’t stupid. She called her brother because she knew she could trust him and the rest of the team. Telling them everything was the smart thing to do, and Savvy was wicked smart. But getting her to understand that whatever plan they devised to end the madness would not end with her being a ghost wouldn’t be a cakewalk, and he knew it.
CHAPTER 6
