Speed King (Men of Action)

by Ahren Sanders

  Willie knows the history with my parents and our relationship. He learned long ago I would rather take leave with these guys than go home. My gaze goes to Talon, who’s grinning without shame.

  “You couldn’t help yourself.”

  “Not a chance. The guys wouldn’t believe it without continual photographic proof.”

  “Payback is hell.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “All right, Marines, gear up. It’s almost go time,” Willie orders, and all humor dies.

  Search and Rescue is our mission.

  It’s what we’re trained to do.

  We’re some of the best for a reason.

  Now, it’s time to prove it.

  24

  Harley

  “Honey, Ace will understand if you come stay with us. You staying here alone is unhealthy.” Mom frets, continuous in her persuasion for me to go home with them.

  “I appreciate it, but Achilles specifically asked me to stay. It puts him at ease.”

  “Yes, but it’s so…”

  “Lonely?” I finish for her.

  She twists her fingers in mine, nodding.

  “It’s not that bad. Promise. Jewls is staying with me on the weekends. My schedule and staying busy have helped.”

  This is partly true. Jewls has been staying the last two weekends. And I picked up as many shifts as Tom would give me. Days at the bar aren’t nearly as busy, but I’ve been handling inventory and waiting tables where needed. I’ve popped into MJ Labels a few times and set up my office, so it’s ready when I start after the holidays. And our massive tree in the living room has tons of presents stuffed under it.

  Working, shopping, wrapping, decorating, and exercise classes have kept me busy. But at night, when I crawl into Achilles’ bed, the loneliness hits hard.

  It’s been a week since Achilles’ call.

  A call I learned was his ‘last’ call before heading out. Dad let it slip that Achilles had called him over the years before disappearing on his missions. Every time I think about it, a chill settles in my bones.

  I knew he wouldn’t be in constant contact, but this silence is torture.

  The security camera alarms, and the monitor on the end table shows Jewls’ car approaching.

  “Now you don’t have to worry because my partner in crime is here.” I jostle Mom’s hand and get up to open the wine. “Let’s watch a movie.”

  “God, please, no more sappy selections,” Dad groans from the other side of the sofa. “I’m tapped out.”

  Jewls lets herself in and drops her overnight bag, openly eyeing the wine with appreciation. “Thank God, I need my own bottle tonight.”

  “There’s plenty.”

  “I’m officially off until after the holidays.”

  “When are you going home?” Mom asks.

  “Christmas Eve.”

  “You don’t have to stay around here for me.” I serve them their wine, grab my own, and scoot next to Dad.

  Jewls’ family lives two hours away in Kentucky. She goes home for the holidays each year and comes back with the best stories of her rowdy family Christmases. I’ve been to her home and met her family—all the many generations living there—and know her stories are one-hundred percent factual.

  Backwoods bootleggers, Law Enforcement, Educators, High Society Equestrian farms—they have a little of everything mixed into their group. One thing they have in common is they’re crazy.

  “Are you kidding? You’re the perfect excuse to miss out on the Eve-before-the Eve bash. Last year, my uncle’s fight was the talk of the town for months. Mom is still mortified to go to the grocery store. She calls it the scene of the crime.”

  I snort, my wine burning down my throat at the memory of her replay. “Maybe they can agree on a turkey this year.”

  “Didn’t happen. Dad went to Costco, picked out three birds, and told everyone else to screw off. If they want to eat, they’ll deal with it.”

  “Oh my, I love your parents,” Mom gushes. “They’re so colorful.”

  Jewls barks out a laugh, taking a large gulp. “Yeah, colorful.” She glances between me and Dad, her smile waning. “Any word?”

  I shake my head, expecting Dad to do the same.

  “Jim has no news either, which is actually a good sign.”

  His statement surprises me, and I twist his way. “Jim? Major’s dad? When did you talk to him?”

  “Us dads have a chat going.”

  “But why Jim specifically?”

  “The boys made a choice to have one emergency point of contact. That person is Jim.”

  “Why?”

  “Collective decision. He served over twenty years and knows the process and protocol. He’s connected to the uniform.”

  “I meant why only one contact. Don’t they have emergency contacts in their records?”

  “Yeah, but this is a unique situation.”

  I don’t have a chance to get into what is different about this situation because my phone rings with Mike’s name on the screen.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey, Jay-Jay, what are you doing?”

  He’s taken to calling me Jay-Jay since hearing it from the guys. It also keeps things clear when the other Jay is around. “Sitting with my parents and Jewls, drinking wine and thinking about a movie.”

  “You up for company?”

  “You want to come by?”

  “Not only me. I have a few people with me.”

  I assume he’s with Declan and a few of that crew. “I mean, sure, but we’re super low-key.”

  “This isn’t a social call. Don’t worry about entertaining.”

  “Mmm, okay. Come on.”

  He disconnects, and I relay the news he’s on his way.

  A few minutes later, the security camera picks up two cars coming up the drive and parking. I open the door to Mike, followed by Declan, Raven, Robbie, Ember, Finn, and Presley.

  Mom and Dad get up, making their introductions. Presley gives a short wave but comes straight to me, yanking me into a hug.

  “How are you?” Her voice is so warm and kind, a stinging pricks my eyes.

  “I’m okay.”

  She leans back enough to assess my face and smiles gently. “You’re lying, but it’s acceptable at times like this.”

  “He’s been gone eleven days and silent for seven. My heart hurts.”

  Jewls is at my side, Raven and Ember all joining the embrace. I try to hold it together but a stray tear drops.

  “Girls, give her some room,” Robbie instructs, and when they step away, Mike steps in.

  He kisses my cheek. “Is it okay with you if I help myself and get everyone a drink?”

  “Of course, I’ll help.”

  “No, you sit. Robbie and Finn want to talk to you.”

  My eyes go to Robbie and Finn, who are standing back, cautiously observing. Jewls remains at my side as we sit, my gaze never leaving the two men.

  “She’s white as a ghost. Stop being scary.” Raven points at her brother. “Tell her.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “We’ve heard about your situation. We may be able to help.” Robbie’s answer confuses me. It’s unlikely Mike would share my business and label it a ‘situation’.

  “I’m not sure what you’ve been told, but I’m not in a situation.”

  “We work in security.”

  Kind of a weird thing to announce, so I cast a glance at my dad, who’s visibly perplexed. “That’s great.”

  Finn’s mouth splits in a wide smile, and my heart does a flip. The man is gorgeous. Totally opposite from Achilles, with his lighter hair and piercing aqua-eyes, but I can still appreciate his looks.

  “Robbie’s not great at finessing things. I’ll jump in. He and I work with Hayes Security at top-clearance levels. Our jobs aren’t about installing systems and alarms. Our job description is more high-profile. We also know how to assess threats and get information.”

  At the words ‘get information�
�, the realization crashes down. “You’re Marines! You get information and you’re Marines!” I squawk out, waving my finger wildly like we’re playing a game of charades.

  “She’s getting it now.” Finn chuckles.

  Mike comes in, passing out bottles of beer. Ember closes in on Robbie’s side and shoots me an encouraging smile. “Robbie and Finn are very good at their jobs.”

  “Can you do it? Can you get information on Achilles and their team?”

  “Can we do it? Yes. Can we share it? That’s up for debate.”

  The small amount of hope crashes and burns.

  “There’s a good chance we can’t share anything we find due to national security and protocol. We have confines. But any updates or information outside of that, we can relay.”

  “Is seven days with no contact normal?”

  They exchange a look that sends my stomach diving. “I just want to know he’s alright.”

  “He’s alive. They all are. We had Max make a call before we came over here.”

  Relief floods through me, and I slouch into Jewls. “Thank God.”

  “With that call, we also got a picture of these men. Exceedingly revered, people in high places respect them. They are missed in active duty. That says a lot.”

  “They’re heroes,” Dad chimes in.

  At the description hero, Presley leans into Finn, and Ember gazes at him gratefully.

  “We know and we’re putting this on our radar.”

  I think about what I know and if it would help them. My mind is volleying back and forth, and I notice too late that Finn’s studying me pensively.

  “Thank you. This is kinda my first time going through this. Well, not actually. It’s always been terrifying when Achilles was deployed or out of touch. But this is different. It’s like a piece of my heart is dangling from a high cliff.”

  Presley breaks away and comes to squat in front of me, taking a hand. “My brother was killed while serving. He was also a Marine. It was rough, and I’m not sure how to explain that sort of pain. But years ago, Finn was shot while on an assignment. That pain was gut-wrenching and paralyzing. When I tell you I understand, I truly understand.”

  “Presley, I’m sorry about your brother.”

  “Thanks. He was a great guy. He left behind the most precious daughter that reminds me every day of what a beautiful soul he was.” She peeks over her shoulder at Finn, and he gives her a crooked smile. Her face comes back to mine. “Even in death, he was still wringing miracles. He brought Finn into my life.”

  “I want to hear that story,” Jewls mutters low.

  Presley squeezes my hand and stands. “We’ll plan a girls’ night. But now you have to keep the faith and believe in the best. You need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

  “That means a lot.”

  “Not to make light of this, but now that the heavy is out of the way, can I say how stunning this house is?” Raven gushes. “Next year, you have to help with my decorations.”

  “I’m more interested in the security system. Any way you can walk me through what the guys did?” Finn gestures to the screen on the table.

  “Yeah, sure. I can show you how the entry system works from Achilles’ entrance, but I know little about the front security or how it feeds to the monitor.”

  “That’ll work.”

  I motion for him to follow me and lead us to Achilles’ room. “Achilles and Ford have private entrances. All the guys have individual codes that send messages to their phones when the codes are used. Same with all the other doors, too. The motion detectors and alarms also feed to their phones.”

  “Hmm.” His disinterested reaction takes me by surprise.

  When I glance his way, the same contemplative stare is back, but in this proximity, it’s lasering into my skin. He remains quiet, as if he’s waiting for me to explain more.

  “I’m not really sure of the nitty-gritty details on the motions.”

  “Robbie and I tested the prototype and ended up putting this same set-up in our homes.”

  “Then why did you want me to explain?”

  “Because I needed to get you alone. Talk to me.”

  A sense of uneasiness washes through me, and I lose his gaze, focusing on the rug under my feet.

  “Harley, babe, don’t be afraid. I’m not trying to scare you. I need to know what you know about Ace being called up.”

  “Ummm,” is all that comes out.

  “You can trust us.”

  “I heard their contact—or whoever—and he mentioned South America, two people dead, others missing, and going in hot.”

  The words spill so rapidly, it’s a wonder if he heard me.

  He rocks back at the same time his crystal aqua eyes fill with sympathy and care.

  “Jesus, that’s confidential intel.” The way he says it indicates he already knew this.

  My hands fly into the air in frustration. “I know! Achilles already told me that. I was supposed to wait for him to come to meet me in here, but I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. So, I listened to their call.”

  The sympathy and care glints in a show of amusement. “Damn stubborn women. Yeah, if I told Presley to wait in another room, she’d have done the same thing.”

  “It’s not stubborn, it’s astute.”

  “She’d agree and she’d love the fact you used the word astute.”

  I grin, remembering Presley does something in editing.

  “Jewls seems solid.”

  “She is.”

  “Anytime she’s not available or you feel down, call Presley. She’s genuine in her message. When our boys return home, the offer still applies.”

  My heart hammers and I swallow hard, mustering up the courage to ask a question that has been tearing me up. “Is it a bad sign that it’s been seven days with no contact?”

  “No.” His swift answer comes out abrasive.

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  It’s then I see right through him. He knows a lot more than he shared earlier. Which means Robbie knows, too.

  “Talk to me,” I repeat his words.

  “Ace and the guys rescued three missing Marines. Got them out alive.”

  Relief, gratitude, pride, love—every emotion bubbles to the surface and threatens to spill over. I’m torn over wailing or cheering. My hand goes to the wall to steady my shaking legs. “Thank God.”

  “That’s what going in hot meant. Once their team had all the tactical security in place, they got to our men.”

  “They’re coming home soon.”

  He flinches, and my excitement fades. Then I remember he probably doesn’t know about their deal with the Marines.

  “They have some kind of arrangement, and there are only a few instances that put them back in duty. If they saved those men, they accomplished their mission. They’ll be coming home.”

  “Fuck.” He cups the back of his neck and studies his boots before glancing back at me. “Harley, I know nothing about their arrangement, but when we heard of it, Robbie and I agreed it was highly unusual. Then we saw their service records and know why they are there.”

  “You don’t think they’re coming home soon?”

  “Something else is happening. The Marines have an abundance of capable and bravura rescue teams. For some reason, they reached out to these men. My gut tells me they’re highly skilled in other areas that are needed. I hope like hell I’m wrong.”

  “No, no, no…”

  “They’re all okay. According to Max’s intel, they’re with others in a secure location.”

  “Can you get a message to him?” I plead desperately.

  “No, because that would mean someone finds out we had this conversation. Which is not happening. You already know too much.”

  “Jewls knows, too.”

  “Of course, she does.”

  “I didn’t tell her. She overheard.”

  “Right… think you two can keep this quiet?”

  “We haven’t told anyon
e so far until a few minutes ago.”

  “And you need to continue to keep the information to yourselves.”

  “What about Dad and the rest of the families?”

  “Right now, it needs to stay quiet. In my experience, things will shake up or shake out in a day or two. Robbie and I will keep checking, too. If anything happens that we can share, we will.”

  I nod.

  “Maybe my instincts are wrong and he’ll call tonight with news he’s on his way home.”

  “I wish.”

  “Harley, he’s alive, with his team, and currently not in danger. That’s a win.”

  The resolution in his voice and the facts at hand put clarity on what’s happened. “You’re right, it’s a win.”

  25

  Ace

  “They’re on the move.” A brusque voice comes through my earpiece. “Six in the SUV, armored and outfitted. This is it.”

  “We’re rolling in two.”

  “Got your six. See you on the other side, Marines.”

  Talon pulls out a handheld, punches in a few codes, then presses the button that will scramble the security system of the compound in front of us.

  Ford and Major move ahead through the dark, ready to go.

  Days of surveillance and hundreds of aerial shots gave us the details on every inch of this place. The underground tunnel on the other side of the building leads to the private beach where the other teams will wait for us to flush any stragglers trying to get their equipment out.

  Our team has one goal—find our man and his family and get them out alive. The other teams will handle their side and do a sweep to get the information.

  That’s it. Then we’re headed home.

  When we landed in North Carolina, it was like the last nine months were a blip. We were back in the fold without a hitch.

  First up, rescue the guys captured in the initial attempt that went south. Two Marines were already dead. It was our job to get the remaining three out.

  No one knows who got the kill shot. There was no hesitation, no discussion. We came in from the shadows, seeing our guys hanging from chains with multiple stab wounds and lacerations from other methods.