By the end of this assignment, she’d probably hate him, and he’d more than likely be looking for another job. Unless the success of the mission kept him at the HDD, which was certainly possible. While he needed the win to get back in the good graces of the higher-ups, right now, he didn’t give a crap about that. The people who’d murdered Treeson would pay. That was a vow he’d taken over his friend’s grave, and he never failed to keep a vow.

No matter the cost.

But if there was a way to protect Brigid, he’d find that, too. It was the least he could do, even if she wanted him dead.

“When was the last time you talked to your dad?” Raider asked.

She hunched her shoulders forward. “I call him on his birthday and Christmas every year, and I send a card for Father’s Day. He calls on my birthday.” Her voice was low and soft. “It’s awkward.” She settled her head back on the seat rest and shut her eyes. “My mom was a candidate for a drug trial, and I felt like my dad didn’t encourage her enough to try it.”

“Wasn’t it her decision?” Raider asked quietly.

“Yeah, and at the time, I didn’t understand that.” She sighed and opened her eyes. “I should’ve come home years ago and made amends, but first I was breaking the law, and then I was working for the HDD, and time flew by.” She shook her head, and her red curls bounced around. “That’s no excuse.”

“Maybe this will be a good chance to do that,” Raider said, feeling like an ass, considering his motivations.

“Sure. Showing up with a fake boyfriend who wants to put my dad in jail is a great way to make amends.” She turned startling green eyes his way. “Don’t try to act like my friend. We both know what you are.”

Yeah, they did. “Fair enough.” He handed over a small case from his backpack. “It’s a camera that will be recording everything around you. Put it on.”

The necklace was a dainty-looking silver cross. The camera was in a moonstone right in the middle. Though he expected her to object, she didn’t. Sighing, she secured the necklace at the back of her neck. “I’m not wearing this the whole time.”

“Yes, you are—and it’s Agents Rutherford and Fields watching, not Angus Force, so keep that in mind.” Those two were the unit’s official liaisons with the HDD, and they were uptight and a pain in the butt. He didn’t like it any more than she did, no doubt. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Whatever.”