Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Trip hadn’t slept in more than twenty-four hours, but they were so close to ending this that they couldn’t take a break to rest or refuel. They had to keep the heat on because they had the group surrounded outside of the city. There were only six of them and more than thirty terrorists. The odds seemed good to him.

A group of Marines would arrive to help them finish the assignment, but they couldn’t let any of the terrorists escape. He kept his eye on the compound as he took a sip of water. That was when he saw something flash in one of the buildings.

“Movement in the building to the west.”

“Saw it,” Zip replied.

More movement set him on edge. It was more than just what he saw, he had a feeling. “Something is about to happen.” They would need to make their move, even if it meant the Marines would arrive after their action.

Rider spoke, his voice even though the tension was evident. “I don’t like this.”

“None of us do,” Q said.

“Can we take them out?” Hop asked.

“Just a?—”

Trip saw someone rush out of the building. Zip was set up with his sniper rifle and dropped the guy. Then, an explosion ripped through two of the buildings.

Trip clenched his muscles as the shock shot through him. It took about five seconds or so for him to recover enough to figure out that two men were running straight at him. Zip took out the first guy, and Trip dropped the second one.

Based on the chatter on coms, it sounded like chaos for the next minute or so. When the air finally cleared, and everything calmed down, he realized it was over.

Everyone on their team checked in. He breathed easier knowing no one had been injured. They discussed approaching the compound when a motorcycle fell over, setting off a chain of explosions. Trip ducked along with Zip. He couldn’t see the rest of the guys or what their reactions were, but he imagined they too were ducking to escape projectiles.

“Fuck, that was intense,” Q said.

The explosions had rattled his bones. “Damn, I wonder if they have more explosives.”

“Probably,” Zip said.

They decided not to rush in since they’d taken out all the people. They needed to watch and make sure no other members of their group rushed in to save the day, not that they thought there were more members of their group out in the wild. They had good intelligence that said all of the members of the organization were in that compound.

The Marines had the equipment to check for more ordinances and clear the area so waiting was the smart thing to do. The minutes ticked past, tension building before the Marines arrived with equipment to check for explosive devices. In the rubble, they found the man they were looking for. Trip wished they could have brought him in alive, but there was no one left from the terrorist’s cell. Another group of SEALs was in Mali going through their compound there. It seemed like they would be able to shut this guy down for real.

Before the day was over, they were flown to an aircraft carrier, where they showered and then headed to the mess hall. He couldn’t wait to get back to California and see Ellis. He hoped she still wanted to spend time with him. It had been more than two weeks since he’d left.

SEALs had a hard time keeping girlfriends when they traveled so much. Even the married guys couldn’t always keep their wives happy. He still wouldn’t change his profession. He loved taking out terrorists and making the world a safer place.

What business did he have even trying to be with someone? None of the guys on his crew were dating. Wolf was someone he looked up to. But could he even come close to emulating his relationship with Caroline?

“Shit, I’m ready to head out,” Zip said as he settled next to Trip.

Q snorted. “We just started having fun.”

“We have an hour,” Rider said.

Hop’s lips screwed up to the side. “I hope I can get some sleep on the flight home. I want to go out and party when we get back.”

The guys chuckled. Hop had a lot of exploits. It was amazing he hadn’t ended up getting some woman pregnant just based on the number of women he’d been with. If Trip had to place bets, he bet on Hop never settling down.

Trip knew there was a lot to talk about with Ellis. His stomach twisted at the idea she would be there waiting for him, and then it sank when reality hit. He’d taken off for weeks, and this wouldn’t be the last time. She may not want anything to do with him after he’d been gone. It was a hard life for women left at home alone. Plans had a way of being dashed, and there was nothing he could do to change the facts except leave the Navy, and he wasn’t ready to do that.