"That's what you have to say?"
I nodded. “Graciella Natanya evaded capture for now. But we brought in number two on Interpol's list. Drake Webster."
Gabe sat back and lifted a brow. "Right. How did you lose Graciella?"
I squared my shoulders, leveled my gaze on him, and told him the truth about how she’d disappeared pretty much right in front of us.
"Right. And then you got yourself nicked."
Yes, there was that. “Obviously, I didn't realize that was going to happen.”
“You let an asset, one that you insisted you could cultivate, walk."
I swallowed hard. “Yes. I did."
Gabe just stared at me. "There could be consequences." Then he turned his attention to the rest of my team. "And you lot?"
But before he could start, I pushed to my feet. “I accept full responsibility for their actions. The breaking of protocol was a pattern I established early on to get the job done. They weren't wrong. Because they are responsible for capturing Webster, not me. I was merely the bait."
"Well, these sacks of shit have actually passed the teamwork marker,” Gabe said. “Congratulations. You are all grounded. No one leaves the campus."
When Gabe dismissed us, I turned to go with my team, but he held me back. "Oh no, not you, Agent Abott."
When they were gone, I turned to him. "Can’t this one wait? The lecture, the grounding, stripping me of my Rogues agent status, whatever it is? I am knackered."
His voice was low and gruff. "Are you all right?"
I frowned at that. "What do you mean?"
"Are you harmed in any way?" He couldn't meet my gaze.
“I'm fine. Scrapes and bruises. Nothing permanent."
His shoulders sagged a little. “I died a thousand deaths when Webster took you. Do you understand that?"
"That wasn't my intention, Gabe."
“I know, it's just—"
“Yeah, I already know. I'm a shitty field agent. I understand."
He sighed. "That's not what I said. Look, off the record, every first mission goes shitty. That's why I wanted you to have more seasoning. They're all supposed to go shitty. Your first field agent op wasn't supposed to be something like this. Oversight interfered, and I have no idea why. They've been happy to let me run the show up until now. I don't know what possessed them."
“I'm fine, Gabe."
He cleared his throat and nodded. “Yeah." And then he dropped his head and rubbed at something on the end of his nose before inhaling deeply and blinking rapidly. I frowned. Was he crying? There was no way he was crying.
“You ever scare me like that again, I swear to God, I will kill you myself."
I shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. “I really am okay, Gabe."
He nodded. “Fine. Yeah." He cleared his throat. “Get the fuck out of here before I remember how mad I am."
I nodded and headed for the door. Pausing, I turned to him. “I really am okay, Gabe."
“Go. And don't let me see you for at least twenty-four hours." He paused then added, “Well done bringing Webster in. I’ve been trying for two years, but you actually managed it.”
I'd never seen him like that. “I owed him."
"One more thing, agent."
I cursed under my breath as I turned to face him. “Yeah?"
“Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
"Notice what?"
“You and King. I trust you know what to do about that?"
I sighed. Tears started to prick my lids, but I held them back. "No need for concern. It’s over. Has been over." And then I stalked out to go and shatter my heart into a thousand pieces.