Page 75 of The Outpost (Jamison Valley 4)
“It’s okay,” I said, holding up my hands to try and calm everyone down. “He deserves the chance to yell. We’ve known each other for a long time, and he’s right, I should have called him.”
“Yeah,” Henry muttered. “You should have.”
“Back to the point. Why do I need to go into witness protection?”
“The rumor is that Russians from the mother country are getting involved in the Federov case. I’ve got a CIA contact on the inside who sent word that some of the higher-ups are taking a personal interest in this one.”
My heart dropped into my stomach as Silas and Jess both muttered, “Fuck.” Beau wrapped an arm around my chest, holding me tight.
How could I have been so stupid? My happy life at the outpost had been a dream. A delay in the inevitable. I didn’t stand a chance against the Russian mafia.
“What did your guy on the inside say exactly? Is there a hit out for her?” Jess asked.
&n
bsp; “No, not yet. It’s strange, but right now, they’re just looking at the evidence in the case. Doesn’t matter. With them in the mix, I don’t want to risk it. She has to come in.”
“Why?” Beau asked. “Just because the case is getting more attention, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily looking for her. She doesn’t need to come in and risk a fuck-up on your part. You could have come here months ago when she sent you that letter but you didn’t and she’s been perfectly safe.”
Henry snarled. “We don’t fuck up WITSEC. And I didn’t come here, because I’ve got eyes on the Federovs and every one of their known associates. If you add the Russians into the mix, I don’t have enough manpower to make sure the focus stays in Seattle. You haven’t had any visitors here yet, but trust me, you won’t like it if they come.”
“Trust me when I say you don’t have as much control over Seattle as you’d like to think,” Beau shot back. “Unless you’d like to tell me that you knew Ivan Federov came to Prescott in June.”
None of us missed the flash of surprise on Henry’s face. My confidence in witness protection was falling by the second because either Henry had an agent falling asleep on the job or someone on his team was playing both sides.
“She stays here,” Beau declared.
“I agree,” Silas added.
Jess nodded. “Me too.”
“I found her, eventually someone else will too,” Henry said. “Is that what you really want, Sabrina? Just waiting for someone to hunt you down?”
I shook my head. Henry was right. I wasn’t safe. I had been able to ignore that reality at the outpost. Hidden away in the mountains, I had lost touch with how much my life was at risk. But now, here in the open, the fears I’d had in April came back in full force.
I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to be in witness protection, but what other choice did I have?
“Okay, Henry,” I sighed. “I’ll go.”
Beau’s arm clenched tight. “No.”
I twisted my neck to look up to his face. “No?”
“It’s too soon, Shortcake. Don’t leave yet. Give it a couple more months at least.” His soft plea melted my heart.
I turned back to Henry. “Do I have to decide today? What’s the harm in me staying hidden here for a little while longer? We could wait and see how the trial shakes out. Maybe your source with the Russians can give you a better idea of what they want and if they’re even interested in me at all.”
“Sabrina, this is stupid.” Henry’s jaw clenched tight and he threw an arm out to the open prairie. “I can’t protect you out here.”
“You don’t need to,” Beau said. “We’ve got her.”
Henry and Beau went into another stare down but I didn’t let it go on long.
“Henry, please?” I begged, drawing his focus. “I’m not ready to say good-bye to Sabrina MacKenzie yet. If that’s what needs to happen, fine. But let’s just make absolutely sure first. Please?”
“We’ve known each other for years,” he said. “I don’t want to say good-bye to Sabrina MacKenzie either, but I’d much rather know you were alive living as someone new rather than a murder waiting to be investigated. Witness protection is the answer.”
“I promise I’ll go willingly if that is what needs to happen. But not yet.”
