He schooled his expression. “That’s part of the job, darlin’.”
One corner of her sweet mouth turned up. “You sound just like your dad.”
“He’s a smart man.”
The skin between her brows bunched together. “Why isn’t anyone else on the team going with you?”
Once again, Derek did his damnedest not to give himself away. He hated being dishonest with her, but he hated the fear hiding in those gorgeous eyes a hell of a lot more.
“It’s a small job that requires my skillset, so there’s no need for the whole team to go.”
“Shouldn’t one of your teammates at least go with you, just in case?”
Coop coughed loudly just then, making Derek want to punch the asshole. To avoid giving Charlie the chance to see he was lying through his teeth, he pulled her in for a hug.
“It shouldn’t take more than a day.” He scowled at Coop from over her head, but the cocky-ass sniper just stared back with a raised brow. “I’m gonna do my best to be back in time for dinner tomorrow night. In the meantime, keep an eye on these two yahoos for me, would ya?”
Smiling, Charlie tipped her head back. “Okay. Just promise you’ll be careful.”
“I promise.”
He leaned in for a kiss he wished could last longer. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
“I Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Sharing one final look with his teammates, Derek grabbed his keys and left. Within the next hour, he was squeezing himself into a window seat in coach, waiting for the passenger airliner to take him to New York City.
Because R.I.S.C. worked closely with Homeland, Agent Ryker had provided each operative a special I.D. allowing them to carry their guns on commercial flights. Derek had left his in his carry-on duffle so a passenger wouldn’t see it and freak out.
Jake had no qualms letting him and Grant use R.I.S.C.’s private jet the last time, but Derek’s objective was different, then. They’d gone there solely to collect evidence against Porter in order to help Gracie.
This time, it was much more personal, and Derek refused to take his boss and other teammates down with him if things got ugly.
Four hours later, Derek was standing on the sidewalk outside Porter’s apartment building. He never thought he’d come back here, but he’d reached his limit.
This shit ends tonight.
Pulling the bill of his ball cap a little lower to help conceal his face, Derek walked through the doors and straight to the elevator. He avoided eye contact with anyone by typing out random shit on his phone, making it look as though he was busy texting.
Using the key he still had from last time, Derek kept his head down the entire ride up to Porter’s floor.
He knew from last time there were no cameras in the hallways on the upper floors. Charlie had explained that the elite tenants who lived up here didn’t want them for privacy purposes, and the building owner had complied.
With no concern of being recorded, Derek lifted his head and stepped off the elevator, quickly making his way to Porter’s apartment. As he walked, he unzipped his duffle and pulled out his gun.
When he got to the door, Derek didn’t bother to knock. Instead, he unlocked it and stepped inside, more than ready to get this night over with.
Shane had texted him back when he landed, confirming Porter was at home, alone. So, he was surprised to find the place dark and completely silent.
Lit only by small slivers of moonlight sneaking past slits in the curtains on the far wall, Derek took a step farther inside but tripped over something on the floor.
“Shit.”
He regained his footing and dug into his bag for the small flashlight he’d brought with him. Using his thumb, he clicked it on, his breath catching when he took in his surroundings.
“What the hell?” he muttered to himself. Scanning the large, open area with the light in his hand, Derek tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
