Chapter 20

An unmarked privatejet took us to Montana, then it was a long drive through the rugged terrain to reach our destination. The mission had been laid out, the intel gathered, and now, it was time to put our training to the test. The familiar hum of the jet’s engines and the anticipation in the air were all too familiar.

I’d already sent a message to Josh, copying in my former SEAL team leader, asking if he could visit my bank and find the box of possessions, then get them sent to the safe house, via Josh, without revealing too much. He said he would, asked after me, and said we should get a beer.

I probably needed to do that.

Also, the thought of being able to give Annie her Buzzy-Bear made me hopeful. If I could give her that, then maybe, I could give her memories of her dad one day.

Our team showed a mix of emotions. Zach and Kai murmured and chatted over photos on Zach’s phone. Aria was quiet, listening to music with headphones. Yaz was busy on a screen, likely double-checking all her intel. Ethan was pensive, and Ryder, Luca, and I ended up huddled around a small table, examining satellite images and maps, discussing strategies for the upcoming mission. We didn’t need to go over the plan again, we were as ready as we’d ever be.

I couldn’t stop staring at Ryder, dressed in black head to toe, tight black shirt and pants, and sturdy black boots, along with a vest and holster, where he carried a powerful HK45 handgun, a favorite among Army Rangers. I’d woken up in the medical room, him sleeping in the chair, with my fingers curled around his gun—why was I only just remembering this? He’d given it to me to steady my dreams, to anchor me. I owed him for that.

But what caught my attention the most wasn’t the gun, or the way he frowned down at the map, it was, after all that, how confident and relaxed he was when he sat back in his chair, gazing out at the clouds with a calm and ready attitude.

I probably looked just as calm, just as ready, but did I look as sexy? I doubted it. I’d kissed every inch of him last night, and it still wasn’t enough—I wanted more.

Luca stood and stretched. “Coffee? Water?”

“Coffee,” Ryder said.

I nodded, then it was the two of us, him staring out of the window, and me staring at him. Was it possible we could have something when we got back? Would he be interested in meeting up to scratch the itch every so often? Would that be enough for him to stay exclusive?

I was open to the idea of a physical relationship with Ryder, if it was on the table, and if he didn’t want exclusive, then I’d have to live with that. After all, I had to make sure Annie was happy, to see if I fit into her life, and what kind of life it might be. Ryder had the team and a future there.

I didn’t know what my future held.

The Gulfstream G550 descended enough to make my ears pop, and an announcement from the captain suggested we all take seats and buckle up. Our destination was a private landing strip about thirty miles from the apparently beautiful town of Meadowbrook in Montana, known for its stunning natural scenery and remote location. Then, it was three hours in cars, to a safe house Sanctuary had provided, which was an eight-mile hike to where intel showed Amos had holed up.

We had to trust the intel.

The plane dropped a little more, and Ryder turned in his seat to face me, catching me staring. I thought he might call me on it, but there was heat in his expression, and he offered me a tight smile and nod.

That, I could handle.

At the safe house—a smallholding with pigs, two goats, and owners who said nothing—we had satellite images displayed on a screen in the ops room. They showed four vehicles parked outside a large barn. Next to that were scanned bank statements forming a trail of money leading straight to the place where Shadow Team was convinced Amos was hiding.

Ethan rapped the table. “Yaz, tactical, Sierra Base.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Zach, Sierra two; Kai, three—you’ll approach the property from the north.” The two men exchanged fist bumps. “Ryder, four; August, five—the south.” He indicated the terrain on the map. “It’s open, wide, not much hiding space, but this will get the four of you down to the barn, and that is our first priority. We have no idea what’s inside other than vehicles coming and going. I repeat, nothing. The entire structure is shielded from scans, we can’t get a fix on what is inside, or any local intel backing up theories.”

“Could it be a dumping ground?” Luca asked and glanced at me.

Everyone knew about the last cartel mine shaft and the number of bodies found. I’d killed Danvers, an FBI agent on the take, got a step up in the cartel, and as a byproduct, I’d managed to save Ethan’s life.

“Could be. It’s guarded. Could be a holding stage there for product.” My mouth twisted.

“Drugs, guns, humans; we don’t know.” Luca paused and let that sink in.

Ethan cursed. “I want that barn cleared and the guards taken down.” He glanced up at me. “Restrained and alive.”

I met Ethan’s gaze, and he gave me a sharp nod, and at last turned back to the briefing, having made his point, not only to me, but to the rest of us. Was it just me who thought that nod meant he was warning me not to go off page?

“Luca, Sierra six; Aria, Sierra seven—you’re both with me, Sierra one. Yaz is Sierra Base. If there are civilians in that barn, this will be our new priority—does everyone understand that?” Everyone nodded, even me. “No one is going off-book, and we’re keeping this off any alphabet radar for now; although Yaz, you have ATF and FBI on speed dial.”

“Yep,” she said and gave him a lazy salute.

“Any questions, comments?” We all shook our heads. “August, a word please.” One by one everyone else left the ops room and separated—until it was me, Ryder, and Ethan, and I shot Ryder a pointed glance.

“You can stay for the lecture,” I announced.

Ethan straightened. “No lecture, August. Ryder says he trusts you, and you even being here is on him, that was all I was going to say.” Ethan gave an entire speech all wrapped up in those words, making sure I knew it was Ryder who’d vouched for me.

“Was that all?” I asked.

“Yep,” Ethan responded.

In that tense moment, I grasped Ryder’s arm and pulled him into one of the bedrooms, swiftly closing the door behind us. His anger was hot, flashing in his gray eyes.

“Did Ethan just threaten you on my account?” I seethed.

Ryder shook my head, my expression serious. “No.”

“So, the whole posturing about you vouching for me, and what would happen if I fucked up?—”

“I vouched for you,” I interrupted. “If you go off-book and it puts me, or the rest of the team in danger, he won’t forgive you.”

“Like I give a shit what anyone thinks of me.”