Page 60 of Rescuing Erin

“He’s fucked. How can he help when his system was breeched?” Linc questioned.

“Tex is at the White House now. I sent Garrett and the Gold Team to PA to watch over Melody and the kids while he’s here.”

“You got Tex to the White House?” Leo whistled. “He must be pissed.”

There were very few things that would make Tex leave his wife and kids behind in Pennsylvania, not to mention his plethora of machines. He didn’t need to leave the house to implement a hostile takeover of the world. The man was that good.

“Pissed doesn’t begin to cover how angry he is. Every single woman he’s outfitted with tracking devices were potentially put in harm’s way. The wives of his closest friends, abuse victims on the run that he helps, paramilitary contractors are now in jeopardy, and then there’s what happened to Colin and Erin. He’s not mad; he’s positively, certifiably insane. I thought I had a short fuse and a bad temper, but Tex passed DEFCON about a mile back. I was a little afraid of him when we set him up at the White House,” Zane told the room.

“I’ve given Tex everything he needs to shut this shit down.” The president’s tone was icy, but it was his stare that had my attention. It was cool and calculating and an impassive gaze he’d no doubt learned during his years as a UDT. The man was not to be trifled with. “I have every confidence Tex will have the information he needs in a few days. Once his investigation is done, you’ll be given the go-ahead to move in. Zane, I’ve never been one to tell you how to command your team or do your job but I will offer you these two words—extreme prejudice.”

“Loud and clear,” Zane returned.

“I’m headed back to Washington now and have a scheduled meeting at Camp David in five days. I hope this can be resolved by then.” He turned to me and asked, “How’s Erin?”

“As expected. She had a nightmare last night, but had no recollection of it when she woke up. She hasn’t had any issues with her concussion and she’ll go back to the doctor tomorrow for another CT scan.”

“So you’ll be in D.C. tomorrow?”

“Correct.”

“I’d like to see you both after her appointment if you can spare the time.”

I didn’t like the ominous tone and readily agreed. I’d never witnessed him being anything but confident, but before I could place the emotion crossing his face he’d closed down.

Zane left to walk the president to the rooftop helipad, leaving the rest of us to go over the SITREP he’d provided.

“This shit is jacked,” Linc commented.

“Anyone else pick up on Tom’s demeanor?” I asked.

Something was screaming at me that the situation was about to go FUBAR. I’d learned a long time ago to trust my gut and it was telling me something was wrong.

“It was hard to miss. Think he knows something he’s not sharing?” Jax asked.

“No. I think he laid it out for us. Though, he’s not stupid. He must know there’s more at play than the NSA spying,” Leo added.

“The question is what.” I continued to scan the papers in front of me with a sinking feeling we were missing something.

“The what will present itself. It always does.” Linc was correct, I only hoped it wasn’t too late when we figured it out.

“Greenwold give you anything?” I asked.

“Not a goddamn thing that’s useful. We didn’t have as much time with him as we wanted. All he said was they’re always watching. Not sure if he meant the NSA or someone else.”

“I don’t think he meant the NSA. I think this is bigger than Tom wants to admit.”

“I think you’re right,” Linc agreed.

This was one instance I wished I was wrong. Bigger was not always better.

Chapter 21

“How did your meeting go?” I asked when we were in the car on the way back to Colin’s house.

“Fine. The normal upcoming scheduling and payroll shit. Nothing exciting.”

“I thought my—”