Chapter 14
Commander Hayes’s tactical office was dimly lit, the walls lined with encrypted monitors and heavily redacted briefing files. Ryan stood at attention, his pristine white collar feeling impossibly tight. Hayes stood behind his desk, his piercing gaze demanding absolute perfection.
"Do you know why the velvet reserved placard was placed on the empty chair on the stage today, Carter?" Hayes asked, his deep voice carrying a lethal weight.
"No, sir," Ryan replied, his voice cracking slightly.
"It was reserved for a phantom," Hayes said, leaning forward. "A woman who carries the heaviest burdens in total silence. Your sister bypassed three mandatory briefings to watch you receive your pin. And you treated her like an embarrassment."
The shame burned Ryan's fair skin bright red. "I didn't know, Commander. She never told us."
"She couldn't tell you," Hayes snapped, his authoritative voice echoing in the small room. "Her identity is a national secret. But I didn't pull you from your celebration to lecture you on family dynamics. We have intercepted credible chatter regarding a cartel hit squad moving on Coronado. They are hunting the new graduates."
Ryan’s eyes widened in horror. "My teammates are at the bar, completely unarmed."
"I know," Hayes said grimly. "We are mobilizing a Quick Reaction Force. But your sister refused our protection detail. She went completely off the grid twenty minutes ago. She is currently moving to intercept the hit squad alone, buying time for my men to arrive."
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"Alone?" Ryan choked out, the arrogant American boy completely replaced by a terrified brother. "Sir, you have to let me go. I can help her."
"You would only be a liability," Hayes stated with crushing honesty. "You stay here, Carter. Let the quiet professional do her job."
