The Plan B offices were underground, as secretive in location as the organization itself. At the outer door, Cruz placed his eye to a biometric lens and the door opened with a click, allowing him to enter. The environment changed drastically on the inside. There were warm colors, carpet, and large comfy chairs made up for the lack of natural light. The man seated at the front desk nodded at him.
“You can go in. He’s waiting for you.”
Not breaking stride, Cruz strolled into Miles’s inner office. Miles was standing in front of a painting, hands clasped behind his back. He turned slowly to face Cruz.
“Good to see you,” he said. “Let’s get started.”
The conversation took approximately thirty minutes, and Miles handed him documents and other materials he’d need for the trip. At the end, Cruz had a better understanding of what he was expected to do, how long the mission was expected to take, and if he would have any partners while overseas.
When they finished, he didn’t move.
“Do you have any news about who leaked that Shanice and I were coming to DC?”
“It was J.C.,” Miles said with a regretful shake of his head.
Miles’s answer was completely unexpected. “Son of a…and he got himself killed in the process. Who did he tell?”
“That I don’t know. We’re still digging around trying to get the details about his contact without tipping anyone off. That’s all I know for now.”
“I want a name, Miles,” Cruz said in a hard tone, barely keeping his temper in check.
“I know you do. So do I. I’m working on it. You have any more questions?” Miles clasped his hands on the desk.
“No, but I need to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“This is hard for me to say, but I put a lot of thought into my decision. This will be my last mission, Miles. I’m retiring from Plan B.”
Miles busted out laughing as if he had said something outrageously funny. When Cruz didn’t join him in laughing, he sobered and stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re serious? This is your life. You’ve been a part of Plan B since you were eighteen years old.”
Cruz shrugged. “It’s no longer enough. I want a real life, a family.” All these years he’d been a lone wolf. Shanice could change that.
Miles snorted. “Believe me, that’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
“But you have that—a family—and I don’t.”
“You can have both,” Miles said.
Cruz shook his head. “I don’t want both.”
“You’re just going to walk away from the agency?” Miles shook his head. “No way. You can’t resign. You’re too good, and your country needs you. You’re only thirty years old and have a lot of years left to work.”
“I’ve worked for my country for twelve years. That’s plenty. I can start a business. Or simply take time off and figure out what I want to do.” The conversation with Shanice had really cemented in his mind the idea of starting a security firm. It could be another outlet for him.
Miles laughed. “Look. Take some time to think about your decision. Don’t be hasty. If you want more time off, I’ll see what I can do.”
“I’m supposed to believe you have my back? You didn’t have my back when I asked you for an escort from the airport on the Logan thing.”
Miles’s eyes flashed angrily. He didn’t like being called out on his failure. “That came from higher up the chain. You know that. Had I been allowed to handle things my own way, no one would have discovered your schedule and the ambush would have never taken place.”
“Then let the higher ups know I’m done. My mind is made up. Let them know, Miles. When I get back, I’m retiring after I’m debriefed.”
“Cheng won’t be happy.”
“Cheng can kiss my Cuban ass.”
Miles tapped his thumb on the arm of the chair. “Wow, I never thought I’d see the day.”
Cruz stood, feeling as if a ton of granite had been lifted off his back. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
Miles studied him, disbelief evident in his eyes. Cruz had really shocked him with his decision.
“Sure. I’ll see you when you get back.”
30
Flowers. Check.
Engagement ring. Check.
Cruz flexed his fingers on the steering wheel, nervous in a way he couldn’t remember ever being before. He could stare down the barrel of a gun and travel around the world fighting enemies of his country—evil people who thought nothing of taking his life and the lives of others. Yet his palms were sweating at the thought of asking the woman he loved for her hand in marriage.
Until now, he never thought he would be in this position, anxious to get married and start a family. But Shanice changed his mind, and he wanted to get married and start a family with her. He only hoped that she wanted to do those things with him.
Since his return to Florida, he had tried to reach her, but her phone had gone straight to voicemail. She could be at Hudson’s Bookstore, one of her favorite hangouts on the island, or simply busy. Whatever she was doing, he was anxious to see her, anxious to give her a big kiss after six weeks apart.
His phone beeped and he glanced at the screen. Finally, she had responded.
Sorry I missed your call. I’m at home now. Where are you?
Two minutes away. Can’t wait to see you.
She sent him a series of hearts and he grinned. Darn, he couldn’t wait to grab her in his arms.
Cruz turned down the street toward his house, and a navy-blue two-door car rolled by him, the tinted windows so dark he couldn’t see the interior or who was driving. He’d never seen this car before in their little neighborhood. Instinctively, he glanced at the back of the vehicle in his side view mirror and committed the license plate to memory.
When his house came into view, his heart thumped faster because he was excited to see Shanice again. He’d been unable to contact her while overseas, but sent a single postcard after three weeks. It didn’t contain any identifying information, but he’d wanted her to know he was all right. The past six weeks had been the longest of his life, but knowing she’d been waiting here for him had made the wait easier.
Boom!
Cruz slammed on the brakes as his house exploded before his eyes. Glass, brick, and pieces of wood burst into the sky and rained down into the yard and onto the surrounding properties. Shocked, he stared at his demolished home.
What the hell?
Shaking out of his daze, he dialed Shanice’s number. No answer. He tossed aside the phone and stumbled out of the vehicle, leaving it in the middle of the street as he raced toward the burning building. Near the flames, the intense heat seared his skin and he staggered back. Cruz stared at the carnage, coughing as smoke and ash filled the air.
Dear God, she couldn’t be inside. Please. No.
He looked at the message she’d sent.
I’m at home now.
Two of his neighbors came running out onto the street, one of them holding up a phone to film while the other called 911.
Not much was left of the building. Whatever explosive device they had used had been very effective.