SEAL Undercover (Silver SEALs Book 10)

by Desiree Holt

  As he strode through the lobby toward the elevator, he scrolled through files until he found the one he was looking at. Max and Regan Ferren had been photographed recently at a high society event in Houston, Texas, and the photo was taken at an angle that gave a good view of them. It wasn’t always the face that identified the people. Body language was important, too. This picture at least gave a hint of how they stood.

  Okay, then. He shoved his phone into his pocket. He hadn’t needed to stop and ask which room the Ferrens were in. He’d already checked with the hotel when he was on his way. Since he owned the place, there hadn’t been a problem getting the information.

  He’d wanted to pick them up at the airport in Yuma. That way he’d have more control over the situation and of them. That would be especially important if they turned out to be a disaster and he had to get rid of them. At this point he was ready to cross any lines to be sure the events of the target date succeeded. The couple had insisted, however, on having their own vehicle. Jed could understand that. He’d feel the same way. He just hoped there wasn’t some underlying reason that he’d yet to find out about. Like what? he asked himself as he waited for the elevator. He hoped he was just being careful and not paranoid.

  He stepped into the elevator that whisked him smoothly to the top floor where the suites were located. He turned right and walked to the door at the end of the hall, the carpet so thick his steps were soundless. He paused a moment, then rang the bell embedded in the molding. That had been his own suggestion, a nice touch, he’d thought, for people paying top dollar for these accommodations.

  The door was opened by a tall, lean man whose dark hair and beard were sprinkled with silver. There was. no missing the confidence he exuded or the you can kiss my ass attitude. A man who had seen and done it all. He was a little older than the pictures Jed had seen. There was no mistaking , however, that he was Bernardo’s brother. He had the same aura of confidence, that of someone who has made an unseemly large fortune doing a lot of things that weren’t quite legal and getting away with it.

  Don’t fuck with me

  The man might as well have been wearing a T-shirt with the statement. For a moment Jed wondered who was the real brains behind Ferren Arms and if Max should have been the one they tapped. For the first time he felt a little uneasy about interrogating this man, no matter how politely he did it.

  Max smiled, showing even, white teeth. “You must be Jed.” He held out his hand. “Max Ferren. Come on in.”

  Jed stepped into the suite’s living room and shook Max’s hand. The handshake was as firm as he expected.

  “A pleasure meeting you.” At least Jed hoped it was.

  “And this is my wife, Regan.”

  Jed turned to the woman who rose from the couch. He had only seen a few pictures of her but, again, as with Max, there was nothing in her appearance to set off warning bells. She obviously took excellent care of herself, her auburn hair falling in lustrous waves to her shoulders, her skin nearly flawless and perfectly made up. The dark slacks and silk blouse she wore draped nicely over a toned, mature figure. When he shook her hand, it was warm and smooth, and, he noted, skillfully extracted from his grip. If he were given to making passes at other men’s wives— Wait! He was! But. Not within this little group. That would be like playing with dynamite.

  “A pleasure to meet you,” he told her then looked from one to the other. “I understand this marriage is recent?”

  “It is.” Max nodded. “I waited a long time for the right woman.”

  “I’m happy to see you’ve found her. Congratulations to both of you.”

  Regan gestured to a tray on the coffee table holding a carafe, cups, and a plate of miniature pastries. “I took the liberty of ordering something. I find having conversations over coffee always makes them go so much more smoothly. Please have a seat and let me fill a cup for you.”

  Her voice was a warm contralto, soothing yet at the same time confident. Not a woman Jed would want to cross. He found it interesting that she not Max, seemed to take the lead in this situation, but maybe that was by design.

  When everyone was seated—Max and Regan on one couch, Jed on the other facing them—Regan gave him a smile that felt strangely as if it had skewered him.

  “I understand how unsettling it has to be for all of you,” she told him, “to have this switch take place at what is a critical time. I’m sure it’s made you all question the situation.”

  “I’m not—” he began.

  “Please be assured,” she interrupted, “that Bernardo has fully briefed us on everything. Also, Max works very closely with his brother at Ferren Arms Manufacturing and can deliver on what is needed. We’re happy to answer any questions you have to put your mind at ease. But understand, we also have some questions of our own.”

  “Of course, and I’ll be happy to answer them. Bernardo said he made you aware of the critical nature of this meeting and the timeline.”

  “He did.” Max nodded. “Although he and I had been discussing it a lot recently. We wanted to make sure you were ‘sufficiently supplied.’”

  Jed nearly smiled. Sufficiently supplied was a mild way of putting what their needs were.

  “Fine. Then let’s get to it, shall we? The others in our group have some concerns regarding your readiness that I promised to address, and I, of course, will answer yours.”

  “The meeting starts in two days,” Regan pointed out. “Did you really think you needed that much time to assure yourself we’re the real deal?”

  Jed shifted in his seat. These were not novices or also-rans as Lorena and Gavin had feared. They were very smart people. Max might even be smarter than his brother. And Regan? In just the few minutes since he’d arrived, he’d realized there was more depth there than any of them had expected. He wasn’t just the shadow of his brother that they’d feared, even tried to prepare for. His earlier thoughts popped into his brain, and he wondered why the hell these two people weren’t at the helm of Ferren Arms Manufacturing.

  When they were all settled with their coffee, Jed cleared his throat.

  “I thought it might be good for all of us if we reviewed the situation before the meeting starts tomorrow. Just, you know, to make sure you were up to speed.” He pulled out his patented friendly smile. “I know your brother has kept you in the loop from the beginning. He said—”

  “Every decision that impacts Ferrens Arms is made together,” Max interrupted.

  He didn’t sound angry or pissed off. No, there was something more dangerous there Jed was almost looking forward to Max and Lorena meeting for the first time.

  Now he just nodded. “We’re all well aware of that, but please look at it from our perspective. We have a deadline looming in front of us, and we need something more than Bernardo’s assurance that you can step in without causing a hiccup.”

  “So this little meeting isn’t just to be sure we have all the information we need, right?” Max’s smile made winter look warm. “No problem. I’d do the same thing in your situation. Bernardo told us it would be on the agenda, so fire away.”

  Jed had a format for the afternoon, and he was determined to stick to it, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was the one being dissected. His very brief moments with Max Ferren during the years hadn’t shown him this side of the man at all. Why hadn’t Bernardo warned him about his brother and sister-in-law? Of course, what would he say? Watch out for them? On the surface they were friendly, smart, and cordial. Yet he kept getting the feeling they were just tolerating him, and he didn’t like it one bit.

  By the time the afternoon ended, he felt as if he was the one being subtly interrogated. He’d told the others he’d be spending two days at this, but truth be told he didn’t think he had much more to ask. It would be up to the others to judge now. He drained a last cup of coffee and rose from the couch.

  “I want to thank you for going through all of this with me. It will help to be prepared when you get to the lodge.” He pulle
d out his public smile. “Hope I wasn’t too much of a pain.”

  “Not at all,” Regan said. “As Max told you in the beginning, we have some questions of our own that we hoped to ask.”

  “Then how about meeting my wife and myself for dinner tonight, as our guests? I had planned on extending the invitation anyway.”

  The couple exchanged glances then Regan nodded.

  “That would be incredibly nice of you. The plans in place will completely change the face of this nation. We wouldn’t want to do anything to screw it up.”

  “I’m sure that’s not even possible,” Jed told them. “Bernardo would not have sent you in his place if it was. So how about if I give you some time to yourselves and pick you up about seven. That work?”

  ”Not necessary,” Max told hm. “Just tell us where to meet you.”

  Yes, Jed thought, these are people who always want to control their situation. The meeting at the lodge was going to be interesting.

  “Works for me.”

  They decided on a restaurant and a time, they all shook hands, and Jed left the suite. As he headed for the elevator, he breathed a sigh of relief. He felt completely wrung out, yet the Ferrens had still looked cool and collected when they were finished. There was something here, something he could not put his finger on, which was unusual for him. Maybe when they threw their questions at him tonight, he’d figure it out. He just wasn’t happy with the feeling the dynamics of the group were about to change, and maybe not for the better.

  He had silenced his cell when he entered the suite, but now he pulled it from his pocket and checked the call log. Six from Lorena plus several from each of the others. Figured. Damn! It amazed him how people with ice in their veins, who plotted mass murder without shedding a drop of sweat, who planned the destruction and takeover of a government, could be thrown off kilter by something like this. Yes, this was a crucial situation but there were options. If Bernardo’s in-laws proved unstable or uncertain, he’d just arrange to have them taken care of. He’d force Bernardo to handle their supplies even if it killed him in the end, and they could move forward with their plans.

  He’d said he’d take care of things and get back to them. They’d known he’d be tied up all afternoon. He hit redial for Lorena first.

  “Well?” she answered.

  Jed smiled to himself. This conversation was actually going to be a pleasure.

  “You have no worries,” he told her.

  “And what do you base that on?” she demanded. “Did your meeting with them go that well?”

  “Better than I expected.” He paused, choosing his next words carefully. “First of all, they match the photo I had of them, as much as anyone can match pictures taken of them. Second, these people are not here just because they are Bernardo’s relatives. In fact, I’m beginning to wish I had spent more time with Max over the years. I might have extended the invite to him instead.”

  Silence. Then, “Explain, please.”

  Jed chose his next words carefully. “I have a funny feeling that Max is actually the one running the company, or at least handling all the backroom deals. He’s not someone I’d want to get on the bad side of. And I have a feeling he’ll have some ideas to tighten up our plans.”

  “I don’t want a stranger coming in and fucking things up,” she snapped.

  “Lorena.” He made his voice as calm and even as possible. “I know you think you know more about what needs to be done than anyone, but you’d do well to listen to these people.”

  “We are three weeks away from kickoff,” she reminded him. “Tinkering with things now would be a big mistake. And I know you don’t like to make mistakes.”

  “Nor do I make them.” His fingers tightened on the phone.

  There was a long pause. “If you vouch for them, I’ll listen to what they say. That’s all I’ll commit to right now.”

  “Fair enough. I’m going to call the others then I’m going to meet Max and Regan for dinner. I’ll text everyone after that.”

  He disconnected without waiting for her to hang up. After this upcoming meeting, next on his agenda was figuring a way to contain Lorena Alvaro without shutting off her connections. Once they made their move, they’d still need the cartel for a number of things. He couldn’t shut off that faucet, especially since they had contacts all over the world.

  When valet parking brought his car, he pulled away from the hotel and drove down the street to a strip center. He pulled into a space in the back, took out his cell again and began to call the other partners.

  *****

  Max tore a sheet of paper off the notepad by the telephone in the living room, flattened the paper on the coffee table, and wrote a short note.

  Normal conversation. Suggest we get a drink downstairs.

  Regan nodded.

  “I thought this was a good beginning for us with this group,” she said in an even tone. “Don’t you agree?”

  “I do. Jed Whitlow seems to have his act together, and Bernardo told us the others were the same. I’m looking forward to this meeting at the lodge.”

  “Yes. I’m anxious to hear the final details of the plan.” She studied his face, watching for clues as to what to say next.

  “We have a little time before we have to meet Jed for dinner. How about a drink downstairs?”

  “Sounds good to me. We can leave right from the bar.”

  The first thing Max had done when they arrived at their suite was to check every inch of the place for listening devices. Jed Whitlow owned the hotel, he wasn’t too happy with this substitution, and they fully expected he’d bug every inch of the place. Si had given him a sophisticated piece of equipment that could locate anything, and, sure enough, they’d found seven of them scattered in the living room and bedroom. The bathroom seemed to be the only place they’d have any privacy.

  He motioned with his hand for her to keep talking.

  “Let me just get my things, and I’m ready.”

  “Great.”

  Max stuffed his cell phone as well as the tiny electronic detecting gadget in his pocket then opened the door for her. They took the elevator downstairs and went into the bar located just off the lobby. Max guided her to a table in a far corner. Even though they thought it might be impossible, he pulled out this little gadget and took a slow stroll around the room, checking for listening devices anyway. At last, Max put away the device and sat down.

  “We’re all clear. Let’s order our drinks.”

  “You really think he’d bug the bar?” Regan asked in a low voice.

  “He owns the hotel,” Max reminded her. “No telling what he’d do. And there are probably people staying here now and then whose conversations he really wants to listen in on.”

  “What a way to live,” she commented, her voice still pitched low.

  They ordered their drinks and made small talk until the waiter served them and moved away.

  Max took a swallow of his and set the glass down. ”So what did you think of this afternoon?”

  “You first,” Regan said. “Impressions, please.”

  A woman who likes to be in control, Max thought. But not in an offensive way. She had a quiet strength and a sense of self-worth he didn’t find very often in women. Except maybe in those his friends had been lucky enough to marry. Maybe he’d been looking in the wrong places. No, he hadn’t been looking for quality at all, except in bed. And what did that say about him? All these years he’d been trying to convince himself he couldn’t give everything to the SEALs and still have anything left over for a relationship. That his friends who married were the exception rather than the rule. Now he wondered if Fate had been saving him for Regan Shaw? And if so, would she be pleased or threaten to cut off his balls? More importantly, would she think he was nuts for having these feelings in the middle of an op that meant the future of the United States?

  Hell! He probably was. He just couldn’t win. Anyway, he was a SEAL first, and he needed to remember that. But he should at l
east put her on notice, in case he behaved in a weird way.

  Weird. Yeah. God, Max.

  “Max?” Regan’s voice cut into his thoughts. “Did you go somewhere without me?

  “No, just thinking.” He took another swallow of his drink. “I’ve met too many men like Jed Whitlow in my lifetime. Too much money gives him too much power, makes him think he’s unstoppable. Reminds me of some of the warlords we took down in the sandbox. Men like that are dangerous because they wield their power with the force of their egos.”

  “I got the same impression,” she agreed. “He didn’t seem too anxious to give us any more details than he thought we’d learned from Bernardo. He just kept saying it would be better for us to get the rest all at once along with the updates.”

  “I wonder who’s controlling the flow of information and how close to the vest he—or she—let’s not forget Lorena Alvaro—is playing it.”

  “A very good question,” she agreed. “And did you notice those little questions he kept sliding in? Questions I’m sure he thought would trick us. Catch us off guard.”

  Max nodded. “I’m pretty sure he wasn’t prepared for two people slicker than he was. But if nothing else, he knows we aren’t idiots or pushovers.”

  “He could also think we’re dangerous to him,” Regan pointed out. “It’s obvious he’s a man who likes to control things, and we already know Lorena Alvaro is pushing his buttons. I can’t wait to sit at the table with him. With all of them.”

  “I’m surprised Bernardo didn’t have much more information than the target date. Along, of course, with the materials he was supplying and what the ultimate goal is.”

  “That one is enough to scare the crap out of me.” He took a swallow of his drink. “I’d bet my next fresh catch he knows a hell of a lot more than he’s given us but thinks playing dumb is his best bet. I need to mention that to Si.”

  “He’s already there.” Regan laughed. “Bernardo Ferren has no idea who he’s dealing with. Si isn’t going to leave him alone. Except to go to the bathroom. He’s got two of his best men guarding Bernardo and ‘coaxing’ more information out of him.”