She was quiet for a moment, weighing options. “But you can keep me safe, either way.”
It wasn’t a question. There was something in her eyes—trust, maybe. The same trust she’d had in him once that Blake had taken away. “Yes.”
“Then I’m going. Today.” She straightened and nodded, determination evident. “Blake told me to stay out of it. To protect him.” She picked up the charcoal and her sketchbook. “So I’m going to do the opposite. I’m going to the FBI, and I’m giving them everything.”
He should feel relieved. She was cooperating, making his job easier. Instead, what he felt was dread, low and insistent, the certainty that walking out of this cabin was walking into something he wouldn’t be able to control. “You’re sure?”
“Will you be there? At this meeting?”
“If you want me there.”
“Then I’m sure.”
“Lyssa…”
“What?”
“You do realize that both of us will have to confirm that Blake was there and that he called you and told you to stay out of this.”
She clutched the sketchbook and hesitated for only a second. “I know. We’re going in there, and we’re both telling the truth. Deal?”
God, she was beautiful. “Deal.” He called Claire. “We’re coming in. But not the field office. Somewhere more secure, limited personnel, and I don’t leave her side.”
“SPS headquarters?” Claire asked.
The compound was the safest place in Montana. “If we can get there, yes. That’s my preference.”
“I just spoke with Garrett. The main road is still impassable. We can give it two hours, but if it’s not accessible by then, you have to come to the field office, understand?”
“Copy.” He ended the call and looked at Alyssa. “We leave in two hours.”
She sat at the table, opened the book, and started drawing…
Blake.
She’s going to put Blake away. It’s going to destroy her, and she’s going to do it anyway.
Mack had been in love with her since he’d met her after his first tour. He’d been certain of their future. He’d lost it because of Blake and spent two years trying to get over it.
Standing here watching her prepare to sacrifice her brother to do the right thing, he was certain of something else.
He’d never stopped loving her.
His pulse quickened. His heart squeezed. The old feelings rushed over him. Controlling his breathing so she wouldn’t notice, he marched into the living room and repacked his go-bag.
Weapons, ammunition, extra magazines, a medical kit, the sat phone charged and ready. His regular phone stayed off. The action calmed him. Setting things in order always did.
He checked the perimeter one more time through the windows, scanning for any sign they’d been compromised. Nothing. The snow was undisturbed.
He added snacks and bottles of water to his go-bag. Then he put in his earbuds and listened to the recording of Blake and Alyssa, transcribing it for Claire.
Alyssa had nothing to pack. Her dress was ruined, her heels worthless in this weather and terrain.
After he’d done all that, he was still antsy. Outside, he cleared the SUV and the drive of snow. He checked the tool bag Garrett kept in each SPS vehicle—you never knew what to expect in Montana or if you might break down—and the spare. The Marines had taught Mack to be prepared.
The main road to the SPS compound was not accessible two hours later. When Claire's call came, Mack had to accept that he couldn’t control everything in life.
Claire provided the meeting location, and it was no high-end security compound like SPS, but it was solid.