He took his laptop out and flipped it around it for Dani to view. “You faced some very dangerous men, Dani. And I’m impressed. Grizz told me you stabbed Jeremiah in the leg to free yourself. That’s some pretty good survival instincts.”
Normally she loved compliments, but the fact that Grizz had been bragging about her made her blush. “I’m not as girlie girl as I look.”
He rotated the laptop back. “I never thought that of you. You’ve always struck me as strong and independent. And tenacious. Because of your footage, we have proof that the senator is involved with this militia group. I’m working on bringing him in for questioning. His days of evading the law are over. Not to mention you helped us stop Jeremiah Redding. He’s been on the Most Wanted terrorist watch list for a number of years. Dani, this is good work.”
Maybe her career could be salvaged after all. She had an eyewitness account of taking down a terrorist organization and a senator. Other networks would want to interview her.
Rio eyed her the way he probably interrogated a suspect, most likely operating out of habit. His dark eyes bored holes through her, causing her to raise her defenses to high alert. She definitely wasn’t used to sitting on this side of the table.
Rio crossed his arms and stared at her. “You’re morphing into reporter mode. I need to interview you as a witness to this crime. Can I trust you to keep everything we discuss confidential? We can talk about us possibly giving you the rights to the story, but I need your take on the events. Don’t hold anything back.”
“But you’ll shut me out if you think I’m going to report on it.”
“Dani, I’ve known you a long time. You and Skye are friends. And I know you’ll do anything to take down this militia group and get these charges to stick to the senator. Can I trust you to keep this off the record? I’ll let you know when you can release the official report.”
Drat. Which was better—off-the-record information, or no information at all?
She mimed taking off a hat. “Look. I took off my reporter hat. All I want is justice for Josh. And if I get the story, that’s a bonus for me. I told you earlier I wouldn’t impede any investigation.”
Rio relented on his laser-focused stare. Fine lines creased the corners of his eyes. “What I’m about to share is not for public consumption.” He glanced around the room and leaned across the table. “We’ve confirmed that Sanchez’s father was held prisoner at the compound in the woods. The group purchased him for his knowledge of biological weapons and delivery systems. They’ve kept him as a hostage, forcing him to work for the SOR.”
Dani sipped her coffee. “That building with the smokestack is definitely concerning. It may be where they’re creating or testing the weapons.”
“That’s what we’re about to find out. I’m setting up a raid. Waiting on some reinforcements to arrive.”
“Any way I can tag along? I’d love to see this camp destroyed for what they did to Josh. I want to be there when you take down every last one of these terrorists.”
Rio’s folding chair creaked as he leaned back. “I think your protector, Grizz, would have something to say if I brought his girl into the middle of a gunfight. These guys aren’t going down easily.”
“Grizz’s girl? Oh please. He rescued me, and I’m eternally grateful, but that’s the extent of our relationship. I need to be there.”
Rio snorted. “You’ve got a target on you. These men have already proven they have their sights on you. I’m not even sure you’re safe at the base. But I think it’s better than you being out in the open.”
Dani didn’t like being sidelined. But before she could object, Mitch Bronson, Grizz’s team leader, rushed into the room, followed by Sanchez.
“We just received a report of a fire. That compound in the woods is abandoned, and they’re burning the place to the ground. Hotshots are going in.”
Sanchez gasped. “What if my father is there?”
Bronson shook his head. “I don’t think so. We got an arial view of the camp from the helicopter, and it looks like they’ve abandoned the place. It’s empty.”
Dani craned her neck to get a view of the action outside the window. Men and women raced to the vehicle compound, donning their gear. “Rio, let me go with them. My story has changed. I want to report on the hotshots in action. INN needs to make up for its bad press.”
* * *
Grizz slammed the door to his room shut. He headed through the common area, grabbed his gear pack, and headed out the door.
He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but when he’d turned the corner on the way to the conference room to find Rio, Dani’s words had stopped him dead in his tracks.
That’s the extent of our relationship.
And then she’d begged Rio to let her in on the compound takedown. So, this was how it ended. Dani would get her story, while Grizz was left out in the cold.
At least he knew the truth of how she felt about him.
On his way to the vehicle compound, he almost ran Dani over. She stepped into his path, as if to block his way.
“I want to go with you.” She stood in front of him, a defiant and fierce look etched into every facial feature. “I won’t get in the way. I want to help. I need to be there when the hotshots save the day. I want to tell the story?—”
