Strike Force

by Mary Alford

  “You want us to send some people to pick her up?” Kaiden asked.

  Ben’s laugh held a trace of bitterness. “Sorry, but that’s the last thing she’d accept from me, even if she were in danger. No, I’ll monitor her phone and hope she checks in soon. But thanks. I appreciate the thought. As soon as I have any news from Evans, I’ll be in touch. In the meantime, let’s find Collins.” With those words, Ben ended the call.

  Kaiden’s heart went out to his friend. He recalled how hard it was being separated from Sidney. “You heard him,” Kaiden said. “Let’s find this guy.”

  While James and Garrett went to work on locating Collins’s cabin, Kaiden needed to clear his head. “Feel like stretching your legs a bit?” he asked Sidney.

  She smiled her love for him. “That would be nice. Let me get Samson. I’m sure he could use a walk.” They found the St. Bernard curled up in front of a roaring fire in the living room. The dog had taken to his new home and could be found roaming around the place as if he owned it.

  “Let’s go for a walk, Samson,” Sidney said and the dog leapt to his feet and followed them outside into the snowy world.

  They walked in silence for a while, but it was okay. He loved spending quiet time with her. “You did a great job with Emerson,” he said and stopped to face her.

  Her smile lightened his worries. In the months following the attack in Alaska, they’d shared their feelings with each other but hadn’t discussed the future. He wanted to now.

  He stroked her cheek. Watched as the smile left her face and her eyes clouded with emotion that made him want to protect her all the more. “I love you, Sidney. More than anything, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  Tears appeared in her beautiful eyes. “I love you, too. And I want the same.” She covered his hand with her own and brought it to her lips.

  “I can’t imagine my life without you in it,” he said in a voice thick with emotion.

  The tears fell down her face and he enveloped her in his arms, then kissed with all his heart.

  “I feel the same way about you,” she whispered against his lips.

  He was elated. He hugged her close and wanted this moment to last forever. Losing her again would destroy him.

  She kissed him again. “I love you so much, Kaiden,” she exclaimed.

  He brushed back the hair from her face and held onto her as tight as he dared, afraid he’d wake up and find this was just another hopeless dream.

  Chapter Seven

  She loved him so much and couldn’t wait to be his wife one day, but at times, she was terrified something in the future waited to tear them apart.

  “We should probably head back,” Kaiden said, interrupting those troubling thoughts. “Things appear to be happening rather quickly. Let’s hope we have good news on some front soon. We sure could use it.” The weariness in his tone made her put her arms around him and hold him close for just a little while longer.

  “You okay?” Kaiden asked and cupped her face, a worried look on his, as if he understood her concerns about their future. Shared them, even.

  Kaiden had worried enough about her in the past. She forced a smile. “Just ready for this to all be over.” In truth, she had a bad feeling about Collins. The man was dangerous and had proven he’d stop at nothing to accomplish his plan.

  Hand in hand they went back inside and hung up their jackets before heading down to the command center.

  “I have news,” James said and glanced up from his laptop as they entered.

  “What’d you find out?” Sidney asked and prayed it was good news.

  “We may have a location for Collins’s cabin. Garrett did a deep dive into the name Carter Wilson looking for any property in the name. We found a cabin located outside of a small town in Virginia. We have no way of knowing if Collins is still there or not, but I don’t think we have a choice. I know you just returned from Maryland, but we need you back in the air. I’ve spoken with Lincoln and he’ll have the plane ready in half an hour. I’ve also asked Doctor Oviok to go along in case there’s a medical need.”

  Doctor Oviok’s presence on the trip was a reminder of the danger they’d be facing. Sidney reached for Kaiden’s hand, needing his touch for reassurance. She didn’t remember much about the time she’d flown from Alaska to Wyoming with Doctor Oviok struggling to save her life, but Kaiden had told her how terrified he’d been at the thought of losing her.

  “There’s been no contact made between Collins and Evans, so we don’t know if Evans has been updated on what happened in Maryland yet. Still, it won’t be long before Evans realizes his plan to take out Emily has failed. He’ll be on extra alert when that happens. We need to act fast on this, I’m afraid,” James said.

  “We can be ready to fly by then,” she said, yet the uncertainty of what lay ahead filled her with dread. She’d board that plane with Kaiden and Lincoln. There was no other choice. Legion had to be stopped.

  Yet hiding her misgivings from Kaiden was impossible.

  “It’ll be okay.” He did his best to reassure her, but he had no way of knowing they’d be okay. It seemed with every new mission, the danger increased. Still, she’d see this through to the end, no matter the cost.

  “I know.” She smiled so he wouldn’t worry, yet there was no doubt in Sidney’s mind, she’d lost her edge. Cheating death had her rattled. How many more second chances would she get? “I’m fine,” she said but wasn’t so sure. Nowadays, a dread she couldn’t dispel seemed to follow her throughout the day. It forewarned something catastrophic was coming.

  “We should get our gear together. We don’t have much time,” she said when Kaiden continued to study her, a worried frown marring his handsome face.

  He followed her out into the kitchen and reached for her arm when she would have kept walking.

  Slowly, Sidney turned to him.

  “What’s got you so troubled, babe?” he asked, his worried eyes skimming her face.

  She shook her head and couldn’t hide her despair. “I don’t know how to explain it,” she said. “But ever since the attack in Alaska, I’ve had this feeling that maybe I cheated death and I wasn’t supposed to.”

  Kaiden didn’t falter in his answer. “You didn’t cheat death. God spared you because it wasn’t your time. He has plans for you. He’ll reveal them in His time. I understand you’re feeling anxious, but we’ve done dozens of these types of missions before. We’ve got this. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, I promise.”

  She wanted to believe him, but she had so much to lose. The future she dreamed about with him was just one gunshot away from disappearing forever.

  He drew her into his arms and held her close. The steady beat of his heart against her ear only reminded her they were all just a heartbeat away from death.

  “Do you want to stay here for this one?” He framed her cheeks with his hands, searching for answers.

  She shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. I guess everything’s just catching up with me.”

  The doubt she saw in him didn’t disappear. “Are you sure? I can have Will stand in for you. He’s well trained, and that would give you more time to spend with Emily to get her acclimated.”

  If something happened to Kaiden while she was here and not there to protect him, she’d never forgive herself. “That’s not necessary. I’ll meet you outside in twenty minutes. I’m going to check in on Emily before we leave. I hate deserting her like this.”

  With Kaiden by her side, they ascended the stairs. “I’ll ask Jordyn to check in on her in your absence,” he told her.

  “Thank you.” Some of the weight on her shoulders lifted. She was just being silly giving into her fears.

  She stopped outside of her room and kissed him. “I’ll see you soon,” she said and held his gaze for a moment longer. What had her so spooked about this mission?

  Kaiden nudged her chin with his knuckle. “Love you, babe.”

  “Love you, too.” S
he hurried inside her room. Samson had heard her approach and stood at the door. “Hey, boy,” she patted her chest and the St. Bernard jumped up on two legs, his big paws resting on her shoulders. While she stroked the dog’s soft fur, Samson licked her face and she giggled. She couldn’t help it. Samson made her happy. “I missed you, too, buddy, but I’m going to have to leave again for a little while. But I’ll be back soon.” Please God…

  The dog understood and whimpered before hopping down.

  “I know. I hate being separated from you as well.” She grabbed her duffle bag and threw some clothes into it. They had no idea how long they’d need to be gone. On top of the clothes, she packed extra ammo and her trusted Glock and zipped it closed. Grabbing the AK she preferred for long-distance shooting, she glanced out the window.

  Another day was coming to an end. The hunt to bring in Collins would be done under the cover of darkness. A good thing for blending into the countryside. Bad for identifying any would-be attackers.

  The winter storm from the day before had passed. The setting sun glistened on the snow that covered the world outside. Everything about this place reminded her of the things she’d once wished for as a child. Growing up in the foster-care system in Houston, Texas, she’d dreamed of a family to call her own one day. A Christmas with gifts around the tree and snow. All those things had proven elusive most of her life. She’d been searching for a family since that time. Thought she’d found it in the CIA and Kaiden. She had until she’d been framed and forced to leave Kaiden and the CIA.

  While she was still recuperating from her injuries sustained in Alaska, she’d helped Jordyn decorate the log home with Christmas decorations they’d found in the attic. Now, just about every room in the place was ready for the holiday.

  With a deep sigh, she turned from the window and hugged Samson tight. With her bag in hand, she left the room. Samson trotted beside her as she headed down the hall to Emily’s room and knocked.

  “Just a minute,” Emily murmured and sounded as if she’d been woken from sleep.

  The door opened. Emily appeared in her robe. Her hair mussed.

  The St. Bernard didn’t wait for an invitation to enter.

  “Samson,” Sidney reproached, but Emily chuckled.

  “It’s okay. I love dogs. Come on in.”

  Sidney stepped inside the room.

  Emily knelt next to the dog and patted his head. “Aren’t you a big boy,” she said while Samson soaked in the attention.

  “You’ve made a friend,” Sidney said as Emily straightened and looked at her. “I’m afraid I can’t stay. I’m leaving on a mission now, but I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  A look of concern showed on Emily’s face. “Has something happened?”

  “Yes, but I don’t have time to go into the details. I should be back soon. In the meantime, Jordyn Adams, my colleague will be stopping by to check on you. She’ll fill you in on what you need to know. When you’re ready to join the fight, we could really use you.”

  Emily didn’t seem nearly as convinced.

  Sidney touched her arm. “I know it’s scary, but you made the right choice. You’ll see that soon.” With a smile for Emily, Sidney stepped outside. “Come on, Samson.”

  The dog hesitated and looked back at Emily.

  “He can stay if it’s okay with you. I’d kind of like the company.”

  Sidney quickly assured her it was. “Samson, you be on your best behavior, okay?” She stepped out into the hallway and watched Emily with the dog. Samson had a way of healing the broken. He’d certainly helped heal Sidney.

  Closing the door, she went outside where Kaiden waited along with Doctor Oviok. Sidney arched a brow when she spotted a third person there. Will.

  “I figured we could use the extra manpower,” Kaiden said in way of answer, but she knew the truth. He’d been worried about her and was hoping to ease some of her fears with the extra help. “How’s Emily doing?”

  They tossed their gear into the back of the side-by-side.

  “She’s hanging in there, though she’s still scared. Not sure if she made the right decision by trusting us. I left her in Samson’s care.”

  Piling into the four-wheeler, she and Kaiden sat in back.

  “Samson will be good for her,” Sidney said. “It’s scary to think there are men out there who are trying to end her life, much less destroy the way of life we have.”

  Darkness had descended on the area quickly. Will clicked the headlights on bright to illuminate the snow-covered trail.

  “I still remember the day James asked me to be part of Strike Force,” Will said. “I thought he’d lost his mind until I realized I’d been marked for death. There really wasn’t much of a decision to make after that.” He glanced back at Sidney. “She’ll get there. She just needs time.”

  Sidney sure hoped it became easier for Emily. She’d been through so much already with her husband’s death—now this.

  The plane was ready and waiting. They quickly stowed gear and were taxiing down the runway in no time.

  “What’s our destination?” Kaiden asked.

  It had been such a rush to get in the air, all they knew was Collins was somewhere in Virginia.

  “Lexington,” Lincoln said. “It’s a small town of around seven thousand. The perfect place to hide out. No one would suspect anything bad happened there.”

  Would Collins call unwanted attention to himself by being in a small town? She voiced her concerns aloud.

  “Yeah, that’s certainly true, but James sent over a photo recreation of what he believes Collins looks like now.” Will passed his phone over Sidney. “He doesn’t really look like he used to.”

  She stared at the image. The man in the photo didn’t resemble Collins at all. His hair was now completely gray and long, hanging well past his shoulders. He wore a plaid shirt and jeans and he’d lost a good twenty pounds. The man had aged at least twenty years since the last photo was taken of him.

  She showed it to Kaiden. “He’s right. I’d never associate this man with Collins.”

  Kaiden blew out a whistle and handed the phone back to Will.

  “According to James, his cabin is several miles outside of town in the woods,” Will said. “Hey, Lincoln, where are we landing?”

  “There’s a regional airport near the town. Ben has arranged to have a vehicle waiting for us there.”

  The occupants of the cabin grew quiet. Sidney couldn’t shake the feeling something more than Collins waited for them in Virginia. It was all a little too convenient that the leader of Legion would be at the cabin waiting for them. Were they walking into a trap? If this was a deliberate attempt to draw them out in the open, she wasn’t sure if any of them would survive.

  ◆◆◆

  The woods surrounding the small town of Lexington reminded Kaiden of the area where he’d last seen Sidney two years earlier after he’d tracked her to the small park in Maryland. Desperate, she’d been accused of being a traitor and was on the run. She’d jumped into the chilling waters of a river and into a life on the run.

  He glanced from the road ahead to Sidney seated beside him. Did she remember that time? He’d been terrified he’d lost her to drowning. Relieved when her body didn’t turn up. Blessed that he’d found her again in Alaska despite the circumstances.

  “Once you get out of town, you’ll turn right onto County Road 308,” Will told him from the second row of the van Ben had supplied.

  “Got it,” Kaiden said, and glanced out the side window at the charming town. He let his imagination wander down an impossible path. He could see living in a town like this. A place where you knew your neighbor, and everyone watched out for each other.

  “It’s idyllic, isn’t it?” Sidney voiced his thoughts aloud.

  “It is,” he said with a nod. The last of the town’s shops disappeared and darkness descended quickly beyond the vehicle’s headlights. He imagined rolling pastures beyond.

  “We’re almost to the co
unty road,” Will informed him while keeping a close watch on the GPS on his phone.

  Kaiden slowed his speed. “I see the sign up ahead.” He turned onto the road and pulled to the shoulder and stopped. “How much further before we reach Collins’s cabin?” They’d need to find a place to hide the van and hike in.

  “About two miles, according to Google maps. I’ll see if I can locate a place to stash the vehicle,” Will told them.

  Kaiden could almost feel Sidney’s uneasiness growing. It had been there since they’d received the news about the mission. Did she have some sort of intuition about this mission?

  Please God, no.

  “Up ahead.” Will’s voice intruded into his troubled thoughts. “There’s a grove of trees to your left.”

  Kaiden squinted through the windshield. “Got it.” He slowed to a crawl and eased the van off the road and braked between some maple trees. Killing the lights, he shut off the engine and slid out. The rest of the team followed.

  “Doctor Oviok, we’ll need your help to keep an eye out for anything unusual. Radio anything suspicious,” Kaiden said and turned to Sidney. The fear on her face really had him concerned. He pulled her aside. “Maybe you should wait here with Oviok.”

  She rejected the idea immediately. “No. I’m going with you. I’m okay, Kaiden. Just a few jitters. Nothing to worry about.” Without waiting for his answer, she strode toward the back of the van where Lincoln was removing gear.

  Blowing out a frustrated sigh, Kaiden followed.

  Everyone would be wearing Kevlar vests on top of their dark clothing. Knit caps concealed their hair from view.

  Sidney slung one of the ARs on her shoulder and grabbed an extra belt of ammo. The Glock, her preferred weapon of choice, in her hand. Each person carried night-vision binoculars.

  “We go in radio silent.” Kaiden studied each of the faces of his team. “You all know the whistle call we’ll use for communication.”

  Everyone affirmed with a nod.

  “Good. Lincoln, you and Will take the front of the house. Sidney and I approach from the back. Let’s go, people.”