Page 42 of Deadly Scandals

Mia

Ismugly appreciated the shocked expression on Ashley’s face, even though I wasn’t happy about being her partner, either. My new boss had sworn to me that this arrangement was best for the mission. My mission. Our mission.

The quest to find out who really controlled the SEALs of SEAL Team Se7en.

Yes, I had accepted the fact that Joaquín was guilty of the crimes he’d committed, including raping me and kidnapping my son. Hell, he’d admitted it. And I’d been drowning in therapy to try to make sense of it all. Sometimes, late at night, I still didn’t believe it was possible. My heart just couldn’t come to terms with the horror, so I tried to believe in an alternate reality.

Grant was right; I was delusional.

But even so, there was so much more danger lurking around SEAL Team Se7en than just what had gone on with my brother. Rumors of a drug cartel, weapons trafficking…and even worse, sex crimes. The media outlets had recently published some stories about the crimes of the other SEAL teams, including SEAL Team 6ix and Black Squadron. But it seemed that their crimes were just being covered up.

Not anymore. I was here to learn the truth. I’d had to jump through so many hoops to get this job. As the wife of an active-duty SEAL and the sister of a former SEAL convicted of kidnapping, rape, and attempted murder, I had been initially disqualified from this case.

But then, Agent Meeks had set up a meeting with me. Though I was no longer able to go undercover, I had extensive knowledge of the SEAL Teams. He felt that I would be able to examine and understand evidence like no one else could. I was the right woman for the job.

Not shockingly, initially Grant wasn’t supportive. He was fine with me becoming an agent. He just didn’t want me sniffing around his buddies. But ultimately, my hubby is a good SEAL. An honorable man. And, in my opinion, one of the last ones left. He believed the corruption in the SEAL Teams ran even deeper than I imagined, and he wanted to fix it. So, he’d promised to support me no matter what.

After I had finished my undergraduate degree, I had gone through the background check and then attended the academy in Georgia. I’d hated to be away from Julián, but Grant had said that it was only fair for him to watch our son while I pursued my dreams because I would be watching Julián alone when Grant deployed soon. I’d been grateful for help from Grant’s friends’ wives. Paloma and Annie both took turns watching Julián when Grant was at work and I was away. I couldn’t be more blessed.

And now, I was here. The first day of my new career. The first day as a professional. The first day using the skills that I had gained to go undercover in the SEAL Teams. Though I was no longer able to go undercover, I had extensive knowledge of the SEAL Teams.

I couldn’t wait.

And I wasn’t going to let Ashley ruin my opportunity.

I didn’t care that Ashley hated me. I ran up and gave her a hug, but she quickly pulled away from me. Undeterred by her rejection, I tried to stay positive. “We’re going to be partners!”

Ashley rolled her eyes. Subtlety was not her strong suit. “Lucky me.”

Agent Meeks’ eyes twinkled. “Well, I’ll let you two get reacquainted. Then we’ll discuss your assignment. Good day, ladies.”

“Bye, Agent Meeks. Have a great day.”

“My, aren’t you peppy? How on earth did you pass your security clearance, Mia?”

I was not going to let Ashley get me down. I understood where she was coming from and why she hated me. In fact, I didn’t blame her. She thought Joaquín and I had been in cahoots. But that wasn’t true. I was innocent. And I also knew she’d harbored a crush on my husband and that they’d hooked up once. But I couldn’t hate him for that. We had been broken up. My marriage was solid, and Grant and I had completely forgiven each other for what had happened in our pasts.

And according to Grant, Ashley and Mitch were hot and heavy now. You’d think being fucked senseless by Mitch would’ve loosened her up. But clearly, she was still uptight. Mitch and I had definitely shared a flirtation when I’d been undercover. So basically, Ashley and I were even.

“Actually, I passed with flying colors. I have nothing to hide. I’m not responsible for what my brother did.”

She smirked. This was going to be harder than I thought. “He’s not your brother.”

Here we go. “He will always be my brother. And I forgive him, Ashley. Maybe you should try that sometime. It’s not good to live with hatred.” There, that should do it.

A resigned look crossed her face. “Whatever you need to tell yourself to fall asleep at night. I’m not here to debate with you, but I don’t trust you. I’m not fake, nor will I talk behind your back. I just don’t see why they hired you, because your brother is a convicted felon and your husband is an active-duty SEAL. Clearly, there’s a conflict of interest.”

“Aren’t you fucking Mitch Martinez? Because I would say that’s a conflict of interest as well. Especially in light of what happened to April.”

Ashley pressed her lips. Yup, I had her by the nipples. She would not intimidate me.

The silence was awkward, so I decided to attempt to smooth things over. I wanted this partnership to work.

“So, are we done with the cattiness? I’m here to help. And you’re stuck with me.”

Ashley lifted her hands in resignation. I wanted to smack the look off her face. Grant had told me that he didn’t think she would soften toward me, but I had sworn that I would be able to win her over with my charm. Clearly, I should listen to my husband more.

“Yup. So…tell me about April. What’s she like? Did you know she’d been fucking Paul?”