Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Pillar’s face reddened with anger. “This is a classified program. Anyone discussing it would be held accountable, thrown into the brig, and would never see the light of day again.” His voice was harsh with authority.
Logan raised an eyebrow. “Leila has every right to discuss her and her sister’s position with the press and anyone else she would like. She isn’t in the military. She never signed up for the program that she was put into as a child. She had no say in what happened to her. Neither did Bridget. As citizens of the United States, they have every right to bring a lawsuit against the government and the people who perpetrated this horrifying abduction and experiments on these girls. They were children with no one to protect them.”
There was a short silence while Pillar consulted with Chariot, who shook his head several times. Pillar shuffled through paperwork and then turned his glare on Diego.
“There is evidence that several of our soldiers were murdered by a member of GhostWalker Team Four. I believe that GhostWalker is under your command, Major General.” It was an accusation and a promise of retaliation if Leila didn’t return to the fold.
Diego tightened his fingers around Leila’s and pressed their joined hands against his thigh beneath the table to give her courage.
What if they arrest you?
They won’t. We knew he would play this card. Don’t respond, and don’t look at all as if you’re bothered by the accusations he’s making, he cautioned.
Leila looked up at him, her face soft, her eyes loving. She looked devoted to him. His heart contracted. The woman was amazing. She was scared out of her mind, both for Grace and for him, yet she managed to look calm as well as loving toward him.
“Murdered? With all due respect, sir, ‘murder’ is a word to be careful throwing around. Diego Campos saved the life of a woman your soldiers were attempting to rape while she was dying of bullet wounds they inflicted. There is recorded evidence of this fact. The flaws in these men you continue to enhance are apparent. Worse, you know of the problems and still allow them to go out into the world as potential threats to the civilian population.” Logan was relentless.
“Be very careful you aren’t court-martialed,” Pillar warned.
General Ranier responded before Logan could. “You had better be careful, Bradley,” he interrupted, calling the general by his first name. “Don’t threaten my men when they are recounting events that can be proven. You’re in the wrong, and you know you are. Diego Campos saved this woman’s life when your soldiers would have taken it in a violent and brutal way.”
“I deserve to be treated with respect,” Pillar snapped.
“You are being given the utmost respect,” General Ranier pointed out. “You aren’t in a court of law; you’re here in this room, where we’re talking this out. No charges have been filed against you or Chariot on Miss Fenton’s behalf. We’re here, attempting to make things right.”
“Charges?” Pillar sputtered. “What the hell, Ted? No one can bring charges against me. I’m doing my job.”
“Sir, with all due respect,” Logan said, “your job wasn’t to give an order to kidnap two young girls, give one to a man we all know is insane and enhance the other the way you do soldiers, grown men, who volunteer.”
Diego nearly smirked. It took effort to keep his expression blank. Logan was implacable. He wasn’t going to stop attacking, because it was clear to everyone in the room that Pillar wasn’t going to relent and allow Leila to leave without a fight.
It makes no sense when he knows he’s in the wrong. Diego sent the message not only to Leila but to all his fellow GhostWalkers. It was important that she saw that advantage. They could communicate with one another, all of them, without anyone else knowing. What does he think he’s going to get out of this?
His ego is involved for sure, Ezekiel replied. He has a reputation for insisting he’s always right.
If that’s so, Ryland said, how is it he’s in command? How did he make general?
Logan answered. He’s arrogant, yes, but he gets the job done. He has friends in high places, but he earned where he is. He’s a brilliant strategist. You can’t underestimate him. We’ve got a couple of people researching him now. They’ll feed us any pertinent information we need. I do know he’s a patriot through and through.
“Respect.” Pillar spat the word. “Ted, do you even hear what that upstart is saying to me? Who does he think he is? He isn’t speaking to me with respect. Far from it. Put a muzzle on him or we’re done here.”
Diego thought over what Logan had said about the general. The man hadn’t gotten where he was by being arrogant and overbearing—and stupid. The general wasn’t stupid. He was deliberately coming off that way.