Raging Fire (Guarded Secrets Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

deeply for everyone in this building, as we all did. We looked at each other as family because that’s what we were, and we were all we any of us had left. Though Night Stripe wasn’t usually the type to hold back when talking to a friend. I noticed she quickly cast a glance in Rum’s direction as if to ask approval before speaking, maybe Rum had told her to keep quiet as well.
    Usually, I would be more delicate on how to handle this, but I didn’t have time for these games. There had to be a way to rush through this.  As soon as the thought crossed my mind I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I knew how to get Night Stripe to talk, but pulling at her loyalty to other agents and the loss of life was low, even for me. 
    That didn’t stop me though.
    “Night Stripe, I already know it’s about the Cardoza Cartel. I was there in Sandtown when we lost agents and I could have been one of them. I have a right to know if they’re back; everyone does. You can’t hide it from us and act like you’re protecting us. What good will that do?”
    “It doesn’t do any good to tell you before we know everything either,” Rum interjected instantly, stepping up to protect her mentee. My assumption was right; she had told Night Stripe not to say anything. Now she wanted to keep me from asking for more information. “We don’t have all the information yet, and telling everyone with only bits and pieces will only make things worse. It’s best just to wait. You’ll find out soon enough.”
    “But why do you both get to know what’s going on? How is that fair?” The words came out harsher than anticipated, but I couldn’t help it. I had to push them. Eventually, one of them would give up and I’d be on my way. I’d feel bad about hurting them later, but in the long run I was saving them. 
    Another pang of guilt rushed through me. I would be doing the same thing Night Stripe and Rum were trying to do. I was going to hide what I knew in order to protect them and hope for the best. I mentally shook myself. I would actually do something about the cartel. I would stop the cartel before they could kill more agents. I wouldn’t hide the information and stay in CIRA waiting for the right time to strike. I’d go now and end it myself.
    “I’m not allowed to talk about it.” Night Stripe’s voice came out stronger than before. As if she was ready to argue the matter with me before I snapped at one of them again. She had a strong will and when angered she would fight, whether it was worth it or not. Maybe that’s what I needed.
    “That’s never stopped you before,” I retorted.
    Night Stripe’s eyes turned to slits; angered by me pushing her so roughly. Her mouth twitched as if she wanted to say something but was forcing herself not to reply. She opened her mouth, most likely to respond with a smart-ass remark, but Rum placed a hand on her shoulder and told her to relax. Soon after, Night Stripe turned to walk away, but I wouldn’t let her until I got what I came for. While there must be a punishment in place if she spoke about it, I didn’t care. I  had  to know what she knew so I could save them.
    “Night Stripe, don’t turn your back on a friend. Hasn’t this job taught you anything? Shouldn’t you be loyal to those you work with and protect them as fiercely as you do others?”
    “I am protecting you,” she yelled as she turned back to face me. “I’m doing what I’m supposed to. I’m looking into it. I’m gathering all the information I can, then I’ll tell people and together we will form a plan. We are going to do this safely and that takes time. I don’t want to lose more agents than we have to.”
    “Time is something we don’t have if they are trying to assemble again, and this time, they’ll know we’re coming.”
    “You think I don’t know that? You think I want to sit here and wait for them to prepare for us? I’d rather have them kill me now than risk your life or Renegade’s or some