by Jaime Lewis
“Yes, Sir.”
And just like that, this mission went from just being a hostage situation to now protecting the person who is supposed to be finding the hostages. Jesus, when did everything get so fucked up?
◆◆◆
Bracing herself on her knees, Alex heaved once more as she hovered over the toilet. She had made it to the bathroom just in time before her stomach erupted. Only when she felt settled did she try to stand and rinse her mouth out before she splashed some cold water on her face.
Taking a paper towel from the dispenser, she patted her face dry. Taking a deep breath, she looked up into the mirror, and the sight made her cringe slightly. She didn’t look like the confident woman who everyone knew her to be. Instead, she saw a timid girl with tears in her eyes, who was ready to run home and hide under her blanket.
She shook her head and stared at her reflection. “I’ve got this,” she said to herself, but deep down, she felt the fear engulf her.
As much as she tried, she couldn’t erase the images from her memory. Someone close to the situation was using this mission to scare her. But why? She placed her hands on the sink and hung her head as she closed her eyes.
A sudden knock on the door startled her, making her jump. “Alex?” The Colonel’s voice came from the other side.
Drawing in one last deep breath, she discarded the paper towel in the trash before she opened the door. The Colonel stood there, blocking the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest, looking just as dangerous as the other men. His firm jaw was tight, and she could feel the tension rolling off him. Just beyond the Colonel stood Potter and Stitch.
“I’m sorry.” She took a breath. “It’s just those pictures on top of the flashback earlier,” she paused, “it just brought back a lot of bad memories for me, and well, I just needed a few minutes to compose myself.”
He lowered his arms and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Alex, I’ve already told you. You don’t have to apologize. Those pictures shook everyone, including me. So, I can imagine the effect they had on you. Come on.” He took her elbow and guided her back to the room. “Let’s get you back before Derek starts calling in reinforcements. He needs to see for himself that you’re okay.”
Before they got to the room, she turned to face the Colonel, “If someone has a vendetta against me, I sure as hell don’t want to bring any unnecessary trouble to your base.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of it. If I know Derek like I think I do, I’m sure he already has people working on it. And as for bringing trouble to the base; look around; we’re smack dab in the middle of a war. Trouble would have arrived here sooner or later. You wouldn’t believe the threats we receive every day. We’ll deal with whatever we are presented with. You have the entire base behind you.” He gave her a reassuring smile and opened the door for her.
She walked into the room, and all eyes went to her. God, they probably think I’m some headcase. She glanced at the table and saw the photos had been stuffed into an evidence type baggie. She shivered at the sight.
She looked around the room, meeting the eyes of every man, but it was Ace who she was seeking out. When their gazes met, she had to restrain herself, so she wouldn’t throw herself into his arms. Now was not the time to have a meltdown, and she knew if he touched her right now, she would completely fall apart. But that wasn’t who she was. In all her twenty-nine soon to be thirty years of living and breathing, not once had she ever quit, and she wasn’t about to start now. Clearing her throat, she straightened her shoulders, showing the confidence she was known for.
“Are you okay, honey? I understand if you want -.
She cut Derek off as she shook her head, even though he looked angry and frustrated.
“I’m not quitting and definitely not about to run back home with my tail between my legs. I’m here, and as I’ve said before, I’m not coming home until I see this mission through and take down this bastard once and for all. Too many people have suffered because of him, not to mention the emotional toll that mission cost me. I lost colleagues and friends because of his violent acts. I’m not about to have five more American civilians added to that count. I need to do this.” She pleaded with him and meant every word. She wasn’t leaving until she knew Ashraf couldn’t harm another soul.
Derek’s expression softened. “Emotional issues? Alex, how long has this been going on?”
Of course, that was the one thing he picked up on, but she waved him off. “We’ll talk about that later. Right now, what’s important is locating the hostages. Once we find them, I’m ninety-nine percent sure Ashraf won’t be far. You have my word, Derek; I won’t do anything stupid to put myself in harm’s way. At least not on purpose.”
“You already are.”
“But I’m in good hands. I’m with your team. The best of the best, right? Plus, you taught me well. I can do almost anything they can, admit it.” She raised her eyebrows, challenging him to deny it.
He let out a deep sigh. “Fine…” That had been a little too easy, in her opinion, as she thought for sure he would fight her decision. “I already have a call into other agencies to see if they’re able to shed some light on the situation. Ace, get your team together and put a plan together to hit both locations that Mr. McMahon shared with us today. I know I don’t have to say this but be vigilant out there. Ashraf is a sneaky son of a bitch and could be trying to divert our attention. Alex, you’ll man the mission from the base along with Colonel Johnson.” She was perfectly fine with that plan.
“And Alex, please be careful.”
The Colonel stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder. “She’s in good hands, Derek.”
She gave him a faint smile. “Thank you, sir, I appreciate it.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. They needed to get to the bottom of this and fast before anyone got hurt.
“Thanks, Mike,” Derek said.
The Colonel waved him off, “Just doing my duty here. I know if the roles were reversed, you would do the same for me.”
“Damn straight.”
“I’d better get going and get my guys updated on the particulars. Our assets here are at your disposal,” the Colonel said, making his exit from the room, leaving Alex with the team alone in the room.
She looked toward the TV and took the open seat next to Ace. She needed to assure Derek she had this. “D, I know you’re worried but…”
He cut her off. “Worried? Worried isn’t the word that I’d use right now to describe how I’m feeling, Alex. Do you have any idea how badly I want to get on a plane and come over there and bring your ass back here where I know you’re safe?” He wiped his hand down his face and sighed in frustration. The only other time she’d seen him react like this was two years ago when he walked into her hospital room. “God, girl, even at thirty years old, you still give me grey hairs. I swore to your father that I’d protect you and look, here you’ve gotten yourself in the crosshairs of an extremely dangerous man, and I’m sitting halfway around the world and can’t do a damn thing about it.”
She couldn’t stand to see him exposing a side of him that most likely his team hadn’t witnessed. Needing to put a stop to his nonsense, she raised her voice, something she rarely did with any of her uncles but especially Derek. “Stop right there!” The shocked expression on his face made her want to laugh, but at least she had his full attention.
“First of all, knock the guilt shit off. Yes, you made a promise to my dad. And I have to say in these last twenty-four years, you’ve done one hell of a job at keeping your word.” She knew she had hit the spot when his hardened expression softened, and only then did she bring her tone down a notch. “Look at me, Derek. Take a really good look and tell me what you see?”
Resting his clasped hands on his chin, he smiled. “I see a beautiful, intelligent, loyal, decisive, and independent woman who I’m so damn proud of.”
“You see, every quality you just described didn’t just magically happen. I’m all of those and so much
because of you.” She felt the tears burn the back of her eyes and quickly blinked to try and dispel them. “I love you so much, Derek, and I thank God every day for the wisdom you and the others infused in me, but you can’t protect me from everything. You can try, but nothing is guaranteed whether I am halfway around the world or in my house.”
She felt an arm go around her shoulder and knew it was Stitch. She leaned against him, embracing his show of support and love. “Sir, you have our word, we’ll watch over and protect her to the best of our ability.”
“Derek, you and I both know that I knew what I was getting myself into when I accepted this assignment. Hell, I knew when I took the job with the NSA right out of college that I was going to face danger, but that was the risk and choice I made. You of all people know how ops can go haywire at any given time. Plus, like you said, I’ve got your team here.” She reached over and squeezed Ace’s hand, catching him by surprise.
“I know, honey, and I love you too. Look, I need to make a few phone calls, so the team can roll out tonight. You guys keep me informed of any new information.”
After Derek signed off, the room was silent, and Alex closed her eyes. With all the stress she was under, she felt a headache coming on, and she rubbed her temples, being careful to avoid the stitches on the one side. Today had taken an emotional toll on her, but Alex knew she’d overcome it. She thought back to when she stepped off the plane a few days ago, and she instantly had a gut feeling this assignment wasn’t going to be an easy open and shut case. After being used as target practice, chased through a village by not one but two gun-wielding men, the brush with death of being blown to smithereens, and now the threatening mail, she would say her instincts were right on. She could only hope that the guys got lucky and recovered those hostages tonight. Knowing she had a long night ahead of her, she thought a nap and some aspirin might help ease the headache.
She was so unfocused right now, she hadn’t even heard Stitch calling her name until he placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and saw the worry in his eyes. She didn’t want them to worry about her. They needed to be focused on the upcoming mission.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
She half wondered what they all would say if she told them no.
“I will be. I know you guys have some things to discuss for tonight. While y’all do your thing, I think I’m going to lie down for a bit. Maybe afterward, I’ll start digging around on the dark web and see if I can find some information on this Reynolds guy.” She hadn’t forgotten about that guy. Maybe he was the missing link. “If we can get a lead on him, he could possibly lead us to Ashraf.”
“Let’s focus on tonight’s mission and hope we find the hostages, then we’ll worry about Ashraf,” Stitch said.
She looked at Stitch with a serious expression. “I won’t rest until Ashraf has been caught. Dead or alive.”
“Alex, I’m not saying we won’t go after him. All I’m saying is, let’s get through tonight and see what cards we are dealt with. I know how important it is for you to get the closure you want. But you need to remember in our line of work, we don’t always get what we want. Our first priority is locating those hostages and bringing them home.”
She felt a little taken back by his sudden attitude. Did Stitch seriously think that she was putting the cart before the horse?
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I needed to be reminded of what our priorities are.” Stitch raised his eyebrow, and she glared right back at him.
Ace had enough and stepped in between the two of them. “Look, standing here, bickering like children isn’t going to help the situation.” He turned to Alex. “Don’t get so defensive. We are all aware of what the priorities are.”
Alex dropped her arms to her side. “Whatever, I’m out of here.” She could feel the eyes on her as she snatched her bag off the table and started walking toward the door.
“Why don’t you go with her. I’ll brief you in a bit.” She looked up and saw Ace was talking to Stitch. Out of the eight of them, he was the last one she wanted with her right now.
As Alex walked alongside Stitch in silence, she glanced over and could tell he wasn’t happy with her from his taut posture and serious expression.
“Stitch, why don’t you go back and be with the team. You’re needed there. I promise to lock the doors. It’s daylight and the middle of the afternoon.” He just grunted and kept walking until they were just passing the chow hall, and he stopped.
“How about we get you something to eat first? You haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
She shook her head. The last thing she wanted was food. Although she could go for a ginger ale to help settle her nauseous belly. “I’m not hungry.”
His annoyed sigh told her that he was beyond frustrated with her. Oh well. She didn’t ask for a babysitter. They made the rest of the short walk in silence. As soon as they got to her place, she quickly grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the bathroom to change.
When she emerged from the bathroom, she found Stitch sitting in the chair with his head resting on his hands. She felt a little bad for bickering with him. They were all at their wit's end, but that didn’t give them any right to jump down each other’s throat.
Stitch lifted his head, enabling her to get a good look at those brown eyes looking up at her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, walking over and standing in front of him.
He shook his head. “You aren’t the only guilty party. I’m sorry, too.” He stood up and pulled her into a hug. “I know you don’t want to hear this right now, but I am so worried about you.”
“Stitch…” She tried taking a step back, but Stitch held her against him.
“No, please just hear me out.” She relaxed and rested her cheek against his chest. “I’m not the only one. Frost, Derek, your other uncles, they too worry about you.” He chuckled. “You’ve always been a risk-taker, even when we were kids. We all knew your career was dangerous, but knowing what you went through two years ago and now believing that this sick bastard could be targeting you doesn’t sit well with me. I’m with Derek and would love to throw your ass on a plane, but I understand your need to be here. I know how important finding justice is to you.” He pulled back and look down into her eyes. “I promise you that I will do everything in my power to help you take down that son of a bitch when the time comes.”
She smiled, then hugged him. “I love you. You and Frost are the best big brothers I could ever ask for.”
She released him and walked over to her and Ace’s makeshift twin size bed. Climbing in, she pulled the covers up to her chin and laid her head on the pillow.
“Alex?” Stitch called her name in a whispered voice.
“Yeah.”
“What you said to Derek earlier, is it true?”
“What?”
“About you still struggling with what happened?”
She shrugged her shoulders, “Occasionally, something will trigger a flashback, but I deal with it.” She wasn’t going to bring up the attack she had earlier this morning.
“You know, if you ever need someone to talk to, myself and Frost are always here for you.”
She smiled. “I know, and I appreciate it. Derek and the rest of my uncles have been trying to get me to open up a little more with them.”
“Have you talked to anyone about what you went through?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I just haven’t wanted to. I think walking away from the agency and then getting that job with Mason’s firm helped some. I know that probably sounds weird, but getting back to work kept my mind off it.”
“Just promise me you’ll call if you feel the need to?”
“I promise.”
“Okay. Get some rest.”
She smiled, then burrowed herself further into the pillow. Her eyes soon got heavy, and moments later, she was drifting off to sleep.
◆◆◆
Alex hadn’t been
asleep for too long when the sound of the door to her room opened, jarring her awake. She knew it was Ace who had entered because she could hear him talking to Stitch. They were talking low, and with the low hum coming from the air conditioning unit, she couldn’t hear their exact words.
When she heard the snick of the door again, she rolled over and was met by Ace’s warm smile.
“How ya doing, sweetheart?” He walked over and sat next to her. He ran his knuckles down her cheek.
“Okay.”
He pointed to a covered plate sitting on the table next to the bed.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d be hungry or not, so I fixed you a plate.”
His thoughtfulness warmed her, and she smiled as she sat up. He pulled her into his side, and she snuggled closer, savoring the feel of being close to him until her stomach growled, and Ace laughed.
He unwrapped her plate and handed it to her.
“What time is it?” She asked him as she scooped up a forkful of the steaming chicken and veggies.
“A little after six.”
“Wow! It felt like I wasn’t asleep for that long. No wonder I’m starving.”
She was surprised at how hungry she felt. It was common for her to lose her appetite while she worked. She never could understand why, but she did. She’d always chalked it up to her nerves. She ate until her stomach couldn’t hold another piece of food and then set the plate aside and got up to grab a bottle of water.
When she returned, Ace stopped her before she sat back down and pulled her between his legs holding her there. His hand moved under her shirt, touching the skin along her hip just above the waistband of her shorts. She knew the moment his fingers brushed over her tattoo and scar because he stilled and gave her a curious look.
“You guys aren’t the only ones with battle scars.” She ran her fingers through his hair, loving how it would stand up in all different directions. He looked so sexy.
He lifted the hem of her tank and took a peek of the words tattooed on her hip. He surprised her when he leaned forward and gently brushed his soft lips against the puckered scar. In an instant, she was overcome with so much emotion with his affection and compassion.
