Mission: Impossible to Deny (The Impossible Mission Romantic Suspense Series Book 7) - Jacki Delecki (great novels of all time txt) 📗

He decided that the way her lips were pressed together wasn’t endearing but a sign of her mulish personality.

“I’ll need a distraction to get Wainwright out of his office to give me time to hack into his computer.”

“Are you sure you can pull this off? The guy killed your friend and tried to kill you. No one would think less of you if you decided not to go.” Darcy touched his arm again. “We can find other ways to access his office.”

“Thanks for your concern. I’m not a master at dissimulation as you are, but I think I can handle myself.”

“A fire alarm isn’t enough. This guy is smart. We need something less pedantic,” Finn said.

“The students are always protesting the IT department and its involvement in assisting the defense department in ‘drones of death’ and the use of AI to spy on citizens. We can use a fictional student group and stage a bomb threat to clear the building.”

“With Richard on the Board of Directors, I don’t think it will take a lot to set up. When he discovers Wainwright is behind your kidnapping, we’ll have to rein Richard in. He’ll want to blow up the entire building,” Nick said.

“I’m surprised you’ve been able to stop Richard from showing up in Palo Alto,” Reeves said.

“Jordan has kept him in Seattle. We all owe her.”

“But Wainwright will expect Reeves and me to exit the building with him,” Darcy said.

He could feel Darcy’s stare but refused to look at her. Reeves would make sure Wainwright paid for what he had done to Tex and Charlie, and then he was finished. He’d head back to Seattle and put the whole experience in his rearview.

“Lars and I will make sure you’re separated with no suspicions on Wainwright’s part,” Finn said.

“You have to play the harried visitor this time. I’ll go in as the security guard,” Lars added.

Finn rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

Reeves faked a yawn. “Looks as if you’ve got it handled. I’m crashing. It’s been a long twenty-four hours.”

“We’ve got your back.” Nick paused, giving Reeves an inscrutable look. “Always.”

The Jenkinses were all trained observers. He didn’t fool anyone that he wasn’t hurting.

Lars fist-bumped Reeves. And of course, Sophie had to hug him, which he prolonged to get the expected reaction from Finn and to distract everyone from focusing on him. The Jenkins were very possessive of their women. He understood. If he ever had a woman like Sophie or Danni …

He glanced at Darcy. She met his gaze with a defiant look.

“Let her go, Reeves. Now.”

Sophie went on her tiptoes and kissed Reeves on the cheek. “Finn isn’t serious because if he was …” Laughing, Sophie grabbed Finn’s hand. “He’d be in big trouble.”

Danni, six feet tall and very fit, was next to offer support. She squeezed Reeves hard. “You’ve always been there for all of us. We’re here for you.”

“Honey, lighten up the hold. The guy’s had a rough night/day,” Lars quipped.

Danni whispered, “Don’t give up on her. She needs time. Look how long it took me to admit my feelings for Lars.”

Reeves didn’t want to wait. He knew how he felt, and less than eight hours ago, he thought he knew how Darcy felt.

“Thanks, everyone. See you in the morning.” And without a glance at Darcy, he headed to his bedroom. The bedroom he thought he’d be sharing with Darcy.

Chapter Nineteen

The silence in the room was unnerving after a subdued Reeves left.

Darcy would rather negotiate a release with the Taliban than face Reeves’s very protective friends. She didn’t shy away from confrontation. When duty called, she ran into the fire, but this was different.

These welcoming people weren’t hostiles.

“You don’t owe an explanation to any of us.”

Danni had worn down all of Darcy’s mistrust with her direct and caring manner. “Just don’t jerk him around. Not right now. He’s our friend, and he’s hurting.”

She hadn’t thought her comment about Libya would upset him. She had been in shock that Director Marwick, happy with Richard Dean’s praise, had offered a position that she didn’t see getting until finishing at least five more years of hellhole assignments. She had been shocked by the way the balance had shifted and the power Richard Dean wielded. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the whole thing, and she’d blurted it out.

“I’m glad that Reeves has such an incredible group of friends, especially right now when he’s had so much thrown at him. And I have no intention of causing him any more distress. He and I need some time to sort things out.”

“Is that what the kids are calling it now?” Lars winked at her.

Darcy hated that her skin was the color of a stop sign, especially in front of the macho Marine Jenkinses. They had accepted her as a part of their team, acknowledging her training, but she wasn’t used to sharing her feelings en masse, especially regarding her relationships.

Sophie didn’t hesitate to pull Darcy into a hug. “You’re good for him. But you have to decide if he’s good for you. And we won’t hold it against you if it doesn’t work out.”

“Of course, we’ll think you’re an idiot.” Danni lifted one eyebrow.

During the time Danni and Sophie were helping her change, they had shared multiple stories illustrating what a good friend and a great brother Reeves had proven himself to be. They were shameless in their promotion of their friend. They had stopped before giving him an endorsement with animals and children.

The women also had confided how much they disliked Lily, Reeves’s self-absorbed, demanding ex.

“She and Reeves don’t need your meddling,” Nick’s deep voice boomed.

“I’m reporting to Emily your use of meddling in the context of my emotional support.” Danni poked Nick in the chest. “You’re already in the doghouse for not telling her about his kidnapping.”

“Wait to report my newest blunder until Wainwright is in cuffs, Danni. Emily doesn’t need to know about tomorrow. Not when she’s on tour.”

“I’m