Page 81 of Ground Zero

Their mistake.

“You should know that we have someone at Blackout,” the woman continued. “We have people in the FBI. We have peopleeverywhere. Even if you somehow escaped, where would you go? Who would believe you?”

The woman was right about that much. But she was wrong about one thing—Maverick would rather die free than live as their scapegoat.

He looked outside again.

Before he could second-guess himself, Maverick yanked the door handle and shouldered it open in one fluid motion.

Wind exploded into the cabin, papers swirled, and the woman’s perfect hair whipped across her face.

“Stop him!” she screamed.

The man grabbed for Maverick, fingers brushing his wet shirt.

But Maverick launched himself into space.

The last thing he heard was the woman’s furious shriek as he plummeted toward the dark water below.

He prayed his angle was spot on, prayed the impact wouldn’t knock him unconscious, and prayed he’d made the right choice.

Sheridan kept her eyes on Hudson and Kyle, her hand still near her weapon. The testosterone in the room was thick enough to cut.

“William,” she said without looking at him, “you should go.”

He shifted beside her but didn’t move toward the door. He was either brave or frozen with fear. She couldn’t tell which.

“Answer the question, Agent Mendez.” Kyle stepped closer. “Have you been in contact with Maverick?”

“My investigation is classified?—”

“Classified from us?” Hudson’s voice carried an edge of genuine anger now. “We’re his team. His brothers. If you know something?—”

The door opened, cutting him off.

Jake stepped inside, followed by Atlas. Atlas looked rumpled and weary like he’d just gotten off a plane, which he probably had.

“What’s going on here?” Jake’s eyes swept the room, immediately picking up on the tension.

“Agent Mendez was just about to tell us where Maverick is,” Kyle said.

“She says she doesn’t know,” Hudson added. “We think she’s lying.”

Atlas moved into the room, his presence somehow making it feel even more crowded. All of Maverick’s teammates were here now, all looking at her with varying degrees of suspicion and concern.

“Maverick’s not a traitor,” Atlas said. “Whatever evidence you have, it’s wrong.”

“That’s why we need to find him before—” Jake stopped, seeming to realize William was still in the room.

“Before what?” Sheridan’s pulse pounded harder.

Jake looked at his teammates, some silent communication passing between them.

Then he turned back to her. “Agent Mendez, could I have a word with you? Privately?”

Hudson and Kyle exchanged glances, clearly not happy about being excluded.

“Jake—” Hudson started.