Chapter 18

18

OUTSIDE SURABAYA, INDONESIA

"Congrats, Bear!"

Garrett hopped down from the train, the fields around it swarming with local authorities and still-landing choppers delivering not just locals but a handful of Damocles guys. He hesitated, waiting for Delaney and Surge to join him.

Caldwell had a wide grin. "Knew you were the right guy for the job."

Was it his imagination, or did the man sound respectful? And despite Garrett's hesitation about the spook's loyalties, his intel had worked out this time. "Appreciate it." He nodded. "You've done good, Caldwell." He extended a hand.

Caldwell dipped his head and accepted the proffered handshake, then got called away by someone.

Delaney edged into view next to him. "That seemed a little nicer than all your other convos with him."

With a nod, Garrett shrugged. "Bygones . . ." He took her hand and drew her nearer. "You really stepped up to the plate in there." He shifted closer, ignoring the chaos around them. "I know you weren't prepared for that. Taking a life is never easy, and if it is, then you have big problems. But give yourself time to work through that."

"Thanks. I will."

He cupped the back of her head and drew it closer, planted a kiss on her forehead. "I'm proud of you."

"Walker."

At the barked voice, Garrett pivoted. Felt himself start at the guy stalking toward him, flanked by a couple of operators. Chapel. Holy . . .

"Good work," Tyson Chapel said as he reached him and thumped Garrett's good shoulder. "Sorry we couldn't be of more help, but I knew you could handle it."

Stunned, Garrett wasn't sure what to say. "Yeah. Thanks. That means a lot."

"We're going to coordinate with Indonesian law enforcement and get things cleaned up. Think maybe it's time for you to bug out and get some well-deserved rest."

"Again, I appreciate it." He felt more than saw Delaney behind him. "Oh, hey—the real hero of the day—Surge, the Malinois you contracted from Ghost."

Appreciation shone through the legendary operator's hazel eyes.

"And this is Delaney Thompson. Without her scent work, we would've been up the proverbial creek."

Chapel extended his hand to her. "Thanks for stepping into the fray." He indicated the containers being offloaded by teams in HAZMAT. "Without you, that would've been all over our country and people. You're a hero. Thank you."

With another clap on Garrett's shoulder, he jutted his jaw to the chopper. "Frank's going to get you guys out of here. We've already got arrangements in play to get y'all stateside ASAP."

"Thanks."

He wanted that nap but couldn't stop thinking of the woman next to him. Without her, they wouldn't have known about Tariq and Rashid. Or the bullet train. He'd trusted her, and she'd gone off by herself from that Jakarta street fair to find it. When they'd first met, he hadn't trusted her at all. Hadn't even wanted her on the mission. But she had been eager to start that self-defense training with him and to teach him to work with Surge. Except for ABA's Mal, she'd been in over her head on this trip. No training. But she was fearless.

Plus, she reminded him to trust Christ. They'd actually reminded each other that's where trust needed to be—faith.

And there was that red-hot kiss on the train.

A guy could go a long way on a kiss like that.