Page 10 of The B-Team

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“He had a plan for his career,” Lake said. “Government. Politics. It was all mapped out, and he was aiming for the top. It’s clear he hasn’t reached the heights he’d intended.”

“And he blames you for that?” Elle shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s dragging all of us into this because he’s gunning for you over some stupid thing that happened a lifetime ago. Great. Just great.”

“Or,” Rachel said, “it could be because wehaveskirted close to the line, legally. And you have hacked almost every secure server on the planet. Perhaps this is actually justice.”

Elle leaned around Grunt and glared at her. “I’m gonna assume that’s your baby brain talking because the Rachel I know would have said, ‘Oh goody, let’s annihilate him.’”

“I was merely playing devil’s advocate,” Rachel said coolly. “I don’t have baby brain.”

“Well stop playing devil’s advocate and go back to your usual role of Queen of the Damned. We need scheming Rachel, not soppy Rachel.”

Rachel narrowed her eyes. “You donotwant to mess with me right now. I am two weeks away from having a baby the size of a royal corgi explode out of my vagina. I amnotin a good mood.”

As the men grimaced, Elle grinned. “That’s what I’m talking about. Although, technically, nothing explodes out of a vagina during a C-section. Just saying.”

“Not my point.” Rachel glared as she pulled out her phone. “Now I need to tell everyone else that the commander’s playing a game of whose dick is bigger with Lake. The fun never ends.”

Nobody said anything, but it was clear Elle was bursting to. It didn’t take long for her to cave. She stared at Lake with wide eyes. “It’s yours, right? I mean, it has to be. You’re Lake Benson.”

Grunt and Joe seemed amused, while Lake just shook his head.

Callum decided a change in topic was past due. “Who did you contact earlier, Rachel?”

She sat back in her seat. “Benson Security’s and TayFor’s lawyers. Ms. Patel said she’d meet us at the custody suite. She’ll coordinate with the TayFor lawyers, as she has more criminal experience, and take charge of our representation. She’s bringing her entire team.”

Everyone relaxed slightly. Patel was a shark. They were in good hands. She also had connections within the higher ranks of the Metropolitan Police, which would come in useful.

“I messaged Harry too,” Rachel continued.

Callum perked up at the mention of their former business partner. The government loved Harry Boyle. He’d written thecode that kept them safe. If anyone could pull some strings to make this go away, it was Harry.

“Unfortunately,” Rachel said, extinguishing his hope, “he’s out of contact, having gone caving with his wife.”

“Bummer,” Elle said in English before switching back to Spanish. “We could have used his skills, seeing as our only two hackers are in custody.” She nudged Lake with the toe of her sparkly pink boot. “We need more hackers.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Elle nodded. Satisfied.

“You message anybody else, Rachel?” Joe asked. “I’m assuming you contacted everybody’s families.”

“Not really. I contacted Julia and delegated that task. The only other person I messaged was my hairdresser. I had an appointment this afternoon.”

“During the conference?” Callum wasnothappy. If he had to stay for the duration, then Rachel should too.

“Let it go,” Elle said. “Take a deep breath and focus on the big picture here.”

Callum scowled at her. She ignored him, making him nostalgic for the days when his team was still afraid of him.

The van slowed and turned into the parking area beside another nondescript and purely functional government building. There were CCTV cameras in abundance, tall fences topped with razor wire, and several cops milling around.

Their impromptu team meeting was over.

The officer who’d watched them slid the side door open and climbed out. He leaned back in to speak to them. “Please remain seated until we’re ready to process you. As you can see, we’re a little busy today, so it might be a while.”

Another van pulled up beside theirs, and the triplets waved through the windows, like they were on a school trip.