Page 2 of Dustin (Thunder Elites Special Ops #4)

(Madison)

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Forgiveness.

It’s a luxury we only offer to those closest to us—our loved ones—the people who are an indispensable part of our lives.

It’s how I know Dustin doesn’t care about me anymore. He doesn’t need or want me in his life. If he did, he would have found it in his heart to forgive me. One would think five years are enough to move on, but it seems Dustin intends to stay stuck in the past.

And honestly, I can’t blame him.

“Hell no!” I tell my dad.

“Madison,” he says gently.

General Michael Thrash is one of the most powerful men in the United States.

I grew up watching him move up the ladder in the military world.

Fro m a lieutenant in the army to a sergeant and finally a general.

Now, he’s in charge of the United States Special Operations unit.

I don’t know much about the agency's operations and activities, except that it’s an elite organization that takes care of serious international problems.

With that said, I have no idea, and neither do I understand what my dad is proposing to me right now.

“You want me to do what exactly?” I ask in disbelief.

“The organization has been trying to squash a particular terrorist organization for months now. They’re active all around the world.

So far, we’ve been able to take care of them on some continents, but we need more information about the terrorist activities in specific countries—for example, Portugal.

The agency has no contacts there. Their law enforcement has been uncooperative, so we’ll have to send one of our agents there to scope things out and find out anything they can. ”

I nod.

“Yeah, dad. I got all that. It’s the other part that’s incomprehensible,” I say.

He sighs.

“Since the agency has no contacts in Portugal, I need you to assist the agent we send over. You live there, and fortunately, you came home just in time to help. You don’t need to do much.

Just show him the ropes. Help him with accommodation, language, blending in, that kind of thing.

Also, after scoping out the situation there, we realized that you’ve had contact with someone that’s extremely vital to the case. ”

I raise an eyebrow at that.

“Who?”

My dad shows me a picture on an iPad. It’s a woman with blue eyes, brown hair and a formidable smile.

“She’s married to Alexis Vierra. Powerful people. They’re connected to the case?” I question.

“Yes, extremely vital. Which is why we need your help. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, sweetheart.”

I nod again.

“All that works with me…no problem. But the other part,” I prompt.

“The agent we’re assigning to Portugal is Dustin Rowell.”

“Hell no,” I say immediately again while shaking my head. “No way. I’ll take Lucas, Sam, or Ethan, anyone but him.”

“Maddie,” my dad says with a sigh. “I need you to be okay with this.”

“I am, but it doesn’t have to be Dustin,” I retort.

“Honestly, darling, if it were up to me, I wouldn't let this happen. But the decision has been made. His other teammates are going to different locations because of their skill sets. Dustin's going to Portugal, and that’s not going to change. I’m asking you to help because I know it will otherwise be difficult for him. But if you don’t want to, it’s fine. I can’t very well force you.”

“So I can say no?” I ask hopefully.

“Yes, but I’m urging you to say yes,” he says with a smile.

I roll my eyes. He’s basically telling me to say yes. I know my father, and if he wants something done, he’ll get it done.

“Dad, he hates me,” I point out while chewing on my bottom lip.

It’s a nervous habit, and I’m officially nervous because I know I’m going to have to accept. Which means Dustin and I will be spending time together. Things couldn’t get worse.

My dad’s hazel-colored eyes narrow.

“I’d like to believe agent Rowell is a professional who can keep his personal feelings out of his work.”

I’m sure he is, but I doubt that applies when it comes to me.

“It’ll be okay, Madison. I trust you’ll handle things well,” my dad states.

This is how I find myself in a board room filled with five other men and my father as he briefs them on their new mission.

“Yes, Lucas?” my father prompts, permitting him to speak when he raises his hand.

When I lived in the U.S., I had a good relationship with the Thunder Elites.

They worked closely with my dad, which was how I got to know them.

Before Dustin and I got entangled, we were all friends.

We had hang-out sessions, where I would complain to them about my fashion line not taking off, and they were always really supportive.

In the past few years, we’ve drifted apart for many reasons. That’s understandable. It didn’t stop them from hugging me when I walked into the room, except for Dustin, of course.

“Permit me to say this, sir, but the last time we tried a solo operation, it went terribly wrong,” Lucas states.

“I am aware of that, which is why you’re all under strict orders not to engage this time. No matter what happens. If a problem arises, contact us first and foremost, and we’ll inform you how to proceed. Is that clear?” he questions.

Choruses of yes sirs ring out from all five men.

I can feel Dustin’s eyes on the back of my head. But I make a point to continue staring face forward. I don’t need to be looking into those distracting blue eyes.

“Good. You’re all wondering why my daughter is present at the meeting.

She recently arrived in D.C. for a visit but will return to Portugal tomorrow.

As it turns out, one of the countries suspected of having ties with the terrorist cell is Portugal.

Therefore it makes sense for Madison to assist the agent in getting settled over there.

Madison knows our targets through her work and I figured we’ll need her to get access to them. ”

I see Lucas nod in understanding.

Wait till they hear who the agent is going to be.

My dad calls out the countries they’ve all been assigned to. He saves the best for last. For the purpose of seeing his reaction, I turn around to look at Dustin’s face just as he’s told his mission and where he’s going.

Shocked is an understatement.

“I’m sorry, what?” he asks.

“Agent Rowell, you’ve been assigned to cover Portugal. Madison will assist you in this mission.”

Dustin blinks, then blinks again before turning to me. He’s silent for a minute before speaking up.

“I'm going to have to ask for a reassignment, sir. Certain issues will prevent me from being able to work with Miss Thrash.”

“Your request is not granted. Your plane ticket has already been booked, and you leave for Portugal tomorrow morning. Is that clear?” my dad asks with a raised brow.

His expression is like granite. Hard, unflinching. There’s no arguing with him, and Dustin knows it.

“Crystal,” he states through gritted teeth.

He turns his attention to the table for the rest of the meeting and doesn’t look at me once. But after the meeting is over, he heads straight for me.

“What the fuck?” he questions.

The ice in his voice causes me to flinch just a little. Then I stand tall and look him square in the eye.

“I had nothing to do with this, and I hate it just as much as you do.”

Dustin chuckles bitterly.

“I really doubt that.”

“We’ll figure things out. Cool off. You’re not going to die if you spend a few days with me.”

“The thing is, I have no desire to do that. Like zero. Not one single part of me wants to spend another minute in your presence.”

He can never find out just how much his words hurt.

“Well, tough shit. You don’t have much of a choice. Suck it up and stop being a baby.”

His jaw clenches, and I can tell the next words out of his mouth aren't going to be good ones. Then he closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“You’re so frustrating,” he states.

“Too bad, Dusty Bun. You’re stuck with me,” I say with fake sweetness.

“Stop calling me that.”

With that, he walks away. I watch as he stops to have a conversation with my dad’s secretary. She places a finger on his chest seductively, and he grins.

It always used to amaze me how quickly Dustin could change his expressions. One minute, he’s furious, and the next, he’s all smiles.

He leans down to whisper something in her ear, and she giggles. I watch them intently, and it surprises me when I feel something churn in the pit of my stomach. Something that feels suspiciously like jealousy.

But it can’t be. Dustin Rowell might be among the most good-looking men I’ve ever met. He’s funny and sweet, and I know he has a good heart. But the worst mistake I could ever make would be falling for him again.

Not for my sake but for his.