Page 41 of Ground Zero

Maverick had waited three days at the landing zone, refusing to believe it until they brought back her body. Hers was recovered, but her partner’s never was.

The memory served as a reminder of what happened when you let yourself love someone in this line of work.

He’d sworn never to do so again. Never let anyone get that close. Never watch someone he loved take risks he couldn’t prevent.

Yet here he was, already terrified of losing Sheridan.

Sheridan waited for his response.

Maverick swallowed hard before asking, “And if you’re wrong? If they’ve already figured out you’ve been helping me?”

“Then I’m dead either way.” Her voice was matter-of-fact, but Maverick saw the fear she tried to hide. “At least this way, I might be able to stop them first.”

He ran a hand through his hair, every protective instinct he possessed screaming against this plan. But strategically, Sheridan was right. It was their best option for gathering intelligence.

Sheridan studied his face. “You’re worried about me.”

It wasn’t a question, and Maverick didn’t try to deny it. “Yes, I am.”

She tilted her head, her gaze still on him. “I can handle myself.”

He shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I know you can. That doesn’t mean I have to like putting you in danger.”

The admission hung between them, loaded with implications neither of them were quite ready to address.

Were they both starting to care about each other?

CHAPTER 23

Something warm unfurled in Sheridan’s chest at the concern in Maverick’s voice.

When was the last time someone had worried about her safety? Really worried, not just professionally but personally?

Danny had, she realized. But Danny was gone.

“This is our only choice.” Her voice sounded soft as she said the words. “You know it as well as I do.”

Maverick remained quiet a long moment, and she knew he was wrestling with the decision. No doubt the logical part of his mind understood the strategic necessity. The emotional part—the part that was beginning to care about her as more than just an ally—hated it.

“If something feels wrong, anything at all, you get out immediately,” he finally said, his voice taking on a raspier tone. “Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“We need a way to communicate.” Maverick pulled out his phone and showed her an encrypted messaging app. “Download this. It’s military-grade encryption, nearly impossible to trace or decode.”

She programmed the app into her phone, testing the connection. “What will you do while I’m playing double agent?”

“Stay hidden. Work on the Ground Zero files. Try to figure out the specifics of this attack plan.” He looked at her. “And be ready to extract you if things go sideways.”

The weight of what they were planning settled over her. She was about to walk back into the lion’s den, surrounded by people she couldn’t trust, knowing that one wrong word or suspicious glance could get her killed.

But it was also their best chance to stop thousands of innocent people from dying.

“You should get some sleep.” Maverick glanced at his watch. “You’ll need to report in early tomorrow morning. I’ll keep watch tonight to make sure we’re safe.”

Sheridan looked at him—this man who’d gone from terrorist suspect to trusted partner in the span of a single day.

Tomorrow, she might never see him again.