JJ glances at his watch. Nearly one p.m. “Change of shift is at two,” he says, nodding. “Best time to leave the Sanctum without being spotted.”
Cass’s jaw works. “Valid. But change of shift happens multiple times per day, so why is she choosing the one in the middle of the afternoon? Why not during the overnight, when fewer people are awake? Why today and not tomorrow?”
Roma is starting to look impatient. “I don’t know her exact rationale, okay? All I know is that our strike team partner—ourfriend—is in trouble, and we need to help her. Kappa always has each other’s backs. We don’t leave anyone behind.”
For a long moment, she and Cass glare at each other.
And then Cass’s eyes find JJ’s. “It’s a bad idea. You know it is.”
“It’s definitely not Bryant’s best,” JJ admits, and he turns to Roma. “But this is really the only time she could get away?”
Roma nods once. “And you know Bryant. She always jumps in headfirst. She probably wants to meet us now before she loses her nerve—or before the Sanctum sends her on another job.”
Cass laughs sharply. “So she’s shooting first and asking questions later?Thatalways ends well.”
“You don’t have to come with us,” Roma fires back. “Actually, it’ll probably be better if you don’t. Bryant trusts me, and she’s willing to trust JJ, but I don’t think she’d react well to a demon nearby.”
JJ nods. “Makes sense.”
Cass bristles.“Makes sense?Why doesJJeven need to go?”
“Because we’re astrike team,”Roma snaps. “We stick together. And if you’re right and somethingdoeshappen, then the three of us fight better together than apart.”
Cass scoffs. “Please. I’ve seen footage of you and Nehemiah fighting solo. You don’t need JJ there.”
JJ pulls away, stung. “Okay.Ouch.”
“I didn’t—” Cass grimaces. “I didn’t mean it like that, okay? You’re an amazing fighter, as we all know. But this—this is too sudden and too suspicious, and that makes it dangerous.” His eyes cut to Roma. “And if you really want backup, you know damn well that I’m your best option.”
“She doesn’t trust you, Chin!”
“Well,Idon’t trusther!”
“Cass,” JJ says, putting a hand on Cass’s shoulder. “Breathe.”
Cass tenses, but he doesn’t move away. “JJ and I can set up the new safe house for you,” he says curtly. “Obie is away, but I have access to his rental properties. We can send you the address and meet you both there. That’s the best solution.”
“No, the best solution would be for JJ to come with me!” Roma hisses. “If Bryant sees how well he’s doing—hell, if she sees that he has a daughter andapparentlya boyfriend now—then she’ll feel better about leaving the Sanctum. She’ll know that life isn’t going to end outside its walls.”
“Yeah, and maybe the daughter and the boyfriend are the exact reasons why JJshouldn’tcome with you!” Cass snarls. “He has other people to think about now, Gutierrez!”
Irritation slices through JJ. “Okay,stop,”he says, stepping in front of Cass to put both hands on his shoulders. “You know that I’m standing right here, right?”
Cass’s eyes sharpen. “Don’t tell me you’re actually considering this.”
“I—” Wincing, JJ glances at Roma. “Could you give us a few minutes?”
Roma checks her watch, her jaw set in a grim line. “Sure,” she says, and she backs away towards the door. “Just make it fast, okay? We have to move quickly if we want to get to Lakeside on time.”
And JJ waits until Roma is out of earshot outside, the locks on the door engaging quietly behind her, before taking a deep breath and turning around to face Cass’s thunderstruck eyes.
“It’s abad idea,JJ,” Cass says without preamble. He clenches his fists to hide the shaking in his hands, but there’s no disguising that tremor in his voice. “You know it is.”
“I don’t think it’s as bad as you’re making it out to be, Cass,” JJ says, crossing his arms over his chest. And JJ crosses his arms over his chest a lot, stands like that comfortably and casually, but this time, it looks defensive. “Sure, Bryant’s timing isn’t ideal, but that could work to our advantage. It’s arbitrary, even random, and the Sanctum won’t expect that from one of its operatives.”
“But if they’re already on high alert, they’ll translate ‘random’ as ‘suspicious,’” Cass argues.“Especiallysince she’s the last one left from Strike Team Kappa. There’s a solid chance that they’ll tail her, and if they see her talking with you and Roma?—”
JJ is already shaking his head. “We’ve been doing this for years, okay? All of us know how to shake off a tail. Bryant won’t bring trouble to us.”
