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He extended his hand to Talia "I’ive Celia a chance to introduce us I’m John Creede"

"Talia Han And I’ve used siot theTalia continue my theht face as I wondered if I’d given the rifle to the wrong eht she was a better shot, he’d give her the weapon

"Celia, do you have a moment?" John asked "I’d like to speak to you alone"

I nodded and said, "Guys, hang out here for a "

"Sure, boss," Bubba said while Talia agreed with a nod of her own

John and I walked a few steps away

"What’s up?" I asked

"I’ security for today’s little escapade I want your opinion on what I’ve got planned and any suggestions you have that could help--anything at all"

I blinked at hi my opinion After the way he’d behaved in Mexico, not to o, I wouldn’t have expected that in amore than a little exasperated "I said I was sorry I rong to undermine you with the clients like that It was stupid of me I do respect your opinion"

I forced uess I’m still a bit touchy about it" Yes, he’d just questionedhim on it would just lead to problems and more tension, neither of which was needed at the outset of a big operation Better to let it go "Okay Fine Now that we have that out of the way…"

He quickly outlined his plans He’d organized the entire thing like aall of the assets and personnel at his disposal as head of Miller & Creede I was absolutely amazed that he’d been able to pull it off on short notice but wondered how he’d gotten permission to mount an operation like this so close to the Needle

When I told hiainst has to be in a position of power or someone would’ve tuh channels, they’d know exactly e’re planning"

Oh, crap He was taking one hell of a risk, then Seriously, he could get jail time, major jail tiood chance I won’t survive to see tomorrow I’ll deal with the fallout if and when I have to"

I didn’t knohat to say to that He expected to die He was even being matter-of-fact about it I couldn’t be I love Bruno, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about John So I sed hard and tried not to think tooinstead on the plans he’d laid out "I can’t see any flaws, John" I really couldn’t "It ht be a little excessive, but hey, better safe than sorry"

His answermy oing to be involved, I took what I had originally thought were adequate defenses, tripled therinned, but I could see that he was only partially joking

"Ha, ha, ha" I hated that I was dangerous to my friends and allies, that my death curse tended to increase the odds that someone I kneould be hurt or killed

"Nohat exactly did you have in mind for your dynamic duo back there?" John asked "I need to kno to fit them into my plans"

"I want theet the to be to protect the four of you and keep "

He opened his mouth, as if to protest, question ood people, John The best You want thehed "Fine Look, we both need to get going" He s to kiss ood-bye But the moment passed Instead, he said, "Be careful"

"You, too" My throat was tight I turned away so that he wouldn’t see that my eyes had filled with tears I squared my shoulders and said to Bubba and Talia, "Go with the nicestay safe I’uard the client"