laughed.
“Didn’t Preston tell you to stop borrowing those things?” Jet shook his head. He knew she would do it, and he also knew that she knew they would all look the other way while she did it.
“Preston’s not here right now,” she said. “And I believe his exact words were, “while I’m in this office don’t hack into the military satellites again,” and since he’s not here I can take a look. I’m just borrowing them.” She stressed the word borrow. “I’ll give them back when I’m done.” She laughed and so did they. “Besides, I don’t even have to take them anywhere really. You know, and I know, they’re already monitoring the area anyway.”
“True,” Micah nodded. “Just do it. We’ll deal with it if it comes back on us later.”
“It won’t. I know what I’m doing. How do you think I find everything else…uh oh. I wasn’t supposed to tell you all that was I?” She giggled.
“Oh hell, we’re all going down with her now.” Micah laughed. “Just try not to get caught.”
Jet could only think of the fact that she hadn’t gotten caught before. She had learned some things in her years with them. It helped to have very smart friends. One had apparently taught her how to get into locked places and get what she needed. All she had to do was keep mastering the trick and she was able to do it on her own without help and without anybody knowing. Jet was starting to wonder why they hadn’t moved her into another role and brought somebody else in to take over the front desk…but then he realized Natalia was the best in both positions. They trusted her and they didn’t think there was anybody else they would trust with the sensitive information she had access to. Of course if she ever asked for more responsibility and to move into another position within the company Jet couldn’t imagine anybody would try to stop her. They would have to create a new spot for her, but they would do it if she asked them to.
Jet went into his office, looking at Preston’s empty office along the way. He, too, was worried now. It wasn’t like Preston not to check in and give them an update. Once, maybe twice, he had been in situations where he couldn’t hit his contact time, but he always got with them the second he had a chance. Something was wrong.
“I was thinking,” he heard Natalia’s voice over the phone’s intercom. “We could fly the plane in.”
“What’s with the we ?” Alex asked.
“Jet or Micah can fly it in,” she said. “And I can stay with the plane while the three of you go find Preston.”
“No!” A resounding refusal from all three men sounded.
“There is no way I’m taking you in there,” Micah nearly barked. Jet could understand. Taking Natalia in would be like Jet taking Akira in with him.”
“You taught me how to shoot, Micah. I can guard the plane.”
Micah growled low as if he were trying desperately to restrain the words ready to come out his mouth. Jet decided to interject some reasoning to Natalia’s line of thinking. “It’s too dangerous, Natalia. The plane won’t be safe and anybody coming to take it won’t come alone. The answer is no. We’re not changing our mind on that.”
“But—”
“No, Natalia,” Alex said forcefully.
“Fine,” she said. “I just thought I would try to help.” She disconnected the link between them but not before Jet detected the serious tone of annoyance in her voice. She didn’t like that they had shut down her offer. She had to understand it was for the best. How could she not see that?
He reached the reception area the same time as the other guys. Apparently they all had the same idea to set Natalia straight on some things and then get back to work on their mission—finding Preston. She did help them and she had to know that. She had to see that.
“I said fine,” she stressed her words. “No need for