Rogue Alliance

FIFTY-SEVEN



Jesus, Shyla thought. She was up to her eyeballs in emotion. If this was how it felt to be sober and in love, then maybe she didn’t want any of it after all.

Not only had Brennan’s declaration of love burned into her soul, and she felt guilty for not telling him she knew about her business trip was going to be down there right in the middle of it. This was not a good way to start a relationship, she thought. But she knew he was deliberately not telling her specifics either. They were protecting one another.

She just hoped that when he saw her on the docks of LA, with a gun in her hand, on the other side of the law, that he could forgive her the betrayal of not letting him in on that piece of information.

What he didn’t and wouldn’t understand was that it was in his best interest for her to be there. She could help ensure his safety. In fact, she already had. Eli hadn’t been thrilled with the idea; the promise to give Brennan immunity in exchange for the drug bust, but he’d agreed nonetheless. It was a deal he couldn’t pass up. Thankfully, he didn’t question her motivations.

When she said goodbye to Carmen that night before heading home, Carmen whined in response to learning that she would be out of town for a few days.

“Why do you have to leave? The doctor said all the swelling is almost gone and I might get to go home in few more days. He just has to run few more tests tomorrow.”

“Yes, I know,” Shyla said, “isn’t that great?”

“Well, yeah, but I want you to be here when he lets me out. Mom and Dad said they wanted to give me a little welcome home party. Nothing major. The doc says not too much excitement, but, you know…something cool. I want you to be there.”

“I plan on it. This thing I gotta do shouldn’t take too long. I’m hoping to be home in two days, tops. By morning, even, so that if you do get out that day, I’ll be there. Don’t worry, they aren’t going to have a party without me – I’m the life of the party! Didn’t you know that?”

“Yeah,” Carmen giggled, “I seen you party before, lady. You’re crazy when you’re drunk.”

Shyla’s grin sobered.

“I’m sorry you saw me like that, Carmen. I promise you won’t ever see me like that again.”

The intensity in her tone commanded Carmen’s attention. Her attitude changed. “Okay,” she said, “well, I guess you can go on your trip. Be careful though. You gotta come back in time for cake and ice cream.”

“Cake and ice cream? Well, hell, why didn’t you mention that before? I’ll be there.”



*



Tension hovered, vibrating its unwelcome inevitability of closure. Ever since Brennan had made it known that he was walking away from the business after this last transaction, Victor had grown more and more agitated.

He’d said that he understood, but Brennan knew that he was taking it personally, as a slight against the loyalty they had built the entire friendship on. In Victor’s mind, Brennan would forever be indebted to him. It didn’t help that Victor had strong suspicions about his feelings toward Shyla. That would be construed as nothing other than direct betrayal.

“There will be three people on the boat with the shipment,” Victor said above the hum of the airplane, “no one is to step aboard until I have given notice. You and the rest of the men will stay behind and keep an eye out.”

Brennan was quiet as Victor went over the details of how the entire transaction would take place. When Victor changed the subject by tossing out a random question, it took him a moment to shift gears.

“What if I exposed you?” Victor said, “What if I said that if you leave, I’ll turn you in and you’ll spend you last dying breath in another facility?”

The threat was so casual that it was almost comical, but Brennan didn’t laugh. He knew exactly how serious Victor was. He didn’t want to let go of his prodigy. Clenching his jaw, he gave Victor a cool stare.

“I’m just kidding,” Victor chuckled, “I wouldn’t do something like that. Listen, though, we can’t botch this transaction.”

Just like that, he switched back to the earlier conversation as if nothing had happened; no subtle threat interjected for the sake of making a point. With the switch, something turned off in Brennan. All previous sense of obligation and allegiance was gone. He was free.