“That’s probably going to be for the best anyway,” Clint said thinking out loud.
“Why, what do you have in mind?” Grogan asked.
“Actually Sir, we don’t have to tell you anything more. You’ve provided us with all of the information we need,” Mason said. He stood and opened the door of the conference room. “We’re going to discuss our next steps, and when we need your cooperation we’ll contact you.”
Grogan looked at all of the men in the room. “I deeply regret what happened on my watch. I’m doing a full investigation of my team. Barber’s immediate supervisor is on suspension. Going forward I won’t be delegating a damn thing regarding this case. You can reach me day or night. You need it, it’s yours.”
“I appreciate that.” Mason shook the hand offered to him. After the door closed he turned back to his men.
“Clint’s closest to this whole situation, it’s his woman who was almost killed. I’m putting him in charge of this op. Does anyone have any problems with that?”
“As long as the operation entails bringing her pretty ass back to San Diego where we can keep her under lock and key, I don’t have any problems.” Drake’s Southern drawl soothed Clint as much as his words did.
“Trust me, it was definitely my first inclination.” Clint grinned over at his friend.
“Great. We’re done here. Let’s get us some Texas Barbeque.” Drake started to get up from his seat.
“Sit down, Avery,” Mason said to his second-in-command. “This is the reason you’re not in charge when a woman’s life is on the line, you go all caveman and then the bad guys win.”
“That’s corn fed bullshit, Mason. You went all sorts of caveman when Sophia was in trouble and it was a damn good thing you did. You kept her safe dude, and it’s the same thing we need to do this time.”
Clint unclenched his fists and brought his palms to the table. “Drake, we have multiple priorities. Make no mistake keeping Lydia unharmed is priority number one.”
“I never doubted it, Clint,” Drake said with a wink. “I’m thinking Dickey’s. I hear their barbeque sauce is the best.”
“We’re not leaving to get barbeque. This is going to be a complicated op,” Clint said, beginning to get frustrated with his friend.
“So we take the brisket to go, pick up Lydia and fly back to Cali.”
“Be fucking serious for a minute!” Clint pointed at Drake. “Put your ass back down in your seat.”
“Are you sure you want him running this op, Mason? It seems to me he doesn’t have the people skills,” Drake said as he plopped down into the leather seat.
“Look, we have an opportunity to flush out who was pulling Barber’s strings. This is a chance for us to take down the cartel and hopefully Alfonso Guzman.” Clint tried to sound reasonable but Drake made it difficult.
“Grogan said Barber is gone. So if I’m reading this right the only way this works if use Lydia as bait. Are you out of your fucking mind?” Drake yelled incredulously. “Mason, are you good with this shit, because if you are I want to know when the fucking pod people came and took over the two of you.”
“Fuck you, Drake!” Clint hit his fist on the conference room table. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Finn and Darius were watching him closely. He knew that they agreed with Drake, but were letting him take the lead…for now. “I already told you Lydia’s safety was priority number one.”
“You go fuck yourself, Archer. Lydia is a non-combatant. What’s more, that woman has gone through more than anyone should ever have to live through. She’s paid her dues and now is the time to get out the cotton wool. I won’t have it. She is not going to be used by anyone, especially not by the man who I thought loved her.”
“You’re out of line,” Mason said quietly.
“Mason, you can’t seriously condone this shit.”
“I said, you need to hear what the man has to say.” Drake looked from Mason to Clint, who just stared at him.
“Fine. Talk.”
“Drake, you know me. At least hear me out like Finn and Dare are willing to do.” Clint looked at the four men seated around the table. Drake might have been the one who was talking, but he knew Finn and Darius felt the same way. As it should be. No man with a heart should want to use Lydia Hidalgo as bait.
“So can you explain it to all of us now? I know you’ve talked to Lydia, and you’ve come away with a potential plan, but I really haven’t liked it either. Can you lay it out for us?” Mason asked.