by Cara Carnes
They had, but it’d meant a hard push through jungle terrain to reach the exfil. While Fallon was up for whatever was necessary, he wished they’d have a simpler way out.
“Any chance we could secure an assist with this?” Levi asked. “Get resources for extraction? A helo?”
“Unlikely in Cuban airspace,” Marshall said. “Though, it’d be a good secondary option.”
“Agreed. I’ll see what we can work out for contingency plans,” Edge said. “We’ll need to neutralize any chemical agents and weapons onsite before facility destruction.”
“Understood,” Fallon said.
“The teams?” Nolan asked.
“Fallon’s on primary,” Quillery said. “Gage’s and Levi’s on secondary.”
“More personnel will be added to Gage’s and Levi’s teams,” Jesse said as he drew a circle around the area they’d cover. “Six operatives on all teams, possibly seven. Levi’s will breach the private residence and manage the perimeter from there and between the primary facility.”
“Fallon only has five,” Levi commented. “You adding Jud to his?”
“No,” Edge replied quickly. “Jud remains here unless he’s needed with Addy. Vi’s too close to her delivery date, and he’s a one-man army on protective detail if he’s here.”
“True,” Jesse said. He glanced at Dallas. “You’d be the easiest to acclimate to Graves’ team.”
The man’s jaw twitched. Kamren was pregnant, but not far along. The man likely didn’t want to leave his two sons, but he was a tough son of a bitch who’d worked alone for years while in The Collective. If Jud wasn’t an option, Fallon was all in on Dallas being on his team. He’d help keep Rhea safe.
“I’m in,” Dallas said. “My team can help Jud here.”
“That leaves my team on the other side covering the western area,” Gage said, drawing a circle around the area. “That’d leave Fallon’s team covering two separated areas in dense vegetation.”
“They’ll have their hands full inside, setting up everything,” Nolan said. “Northern perimeter is smaller than the south. Walker and Sanchez could cover it with Dallas. That’d leave Donovan and Spade to assist Graves inside. We’d need another team for the southern area.”
“I wish I had a team and could tag in on this,” Raul said.
“Next time,” Vi said.
Fallon hoped there wouldn’t be a next time, but there always was with The Arsenal.
“I’d say Medina’s new team, but they’re overseeing security on Rhea’s family,” Zoey said. “Marcus’s team is still undercover with the cartel. We’ll need a team, likely Marshall’s, on oversight for the Florida compound. Addy’s will be on the auction.”
Fallon’s gut tightened. Last time they’d had so many teams wheels up, The Collective had attacked The Arsenal compound.
“My team will cover the south,” Nolan said. “That’ll leave Dylan’s team with Jud leading Dallas’s team on protective detail here.”
“Along with the operatives not on a primary team,” Cord said. “We need more team leaders.”
“Working on it,” Marshall said, his gaze on Raul.
“We’ll have two extraction points,” Jesse said. “Nolan’s, Levi’s and Gage’s teams will exfil northeast of the facility, then head west once they reach the coastline. Fallon’s can take the route used last time and exfil further up the coast.”
“Operatives can man the extractions,” Edge said. “Three per boat should do.”
“Agreed,” Quillery said.
“Concerns?”
Fallon had about a hundred, but they all centered around Rhea. They’d want her on location in case unknown chemical agents were found. Too many variables were in play for them to risk not having her available. He kept the concerns to himself but caught Edge’s gaze. The woman knew the concerns he had. She and Quillery had likely already considered them. So had Jesse.
“We’ve chipped everyone, but I have better tech now,” Bree said. “I want an extra two new devices on everyone. They’re small and undetectable with a self-contained power source that can be tapped into as a communication tool if needed.”
“You have enough made for this?” Marshall asked.
“Enough to cover everyone in Fallon’s team and half of everyone else.” Bree looked around the room. “It’s overkill, but there’s too many moving parts in this op. We reprogrammed HERA, but that bastard neutralized our coms and drones once. I want enough secondary tech with everyone in case it happens again.”
“And by communication tool, you mean?” Dallas asked.
“The device will use its internal energy source to transmit coordinates far enough for us to pick it up via overhead satellites,” Bree said. “If someone were to pop it open, that transmission could be disrupted in patterns. Morse code? Commando code?”
“Guess I’d better brush up on my Morse code,” Fallon commented.
“That’s too easily deciphered,” Rhea said. “Bree and I will print out a cheat sheet. We came up with our own code at MIT for a project we did. It’s like an encrypted Morse code of sorts. Mary and Vi know it too.”
Fallon chuckled. The women never ceased to amaze them.
“I’m thinking we should’ve heard about this before,” Jesse commented.
Rhea and Bree looked at one another and both shrugged. Things had been nonstop since their arrival at The Arsenal. Fallon suspected there were a lot of things the brainiacs hadn’t shared yet.
“Erm… I’ve never parachuted before,” Rhea whispered.
“We’ve got you covered, Doc,” Donovan said. “All you’ll have to do is relax and let us handle it.”
Fallon grunted. He didn’t like the idea, but Donovan had done way more jumps than Fallon, so the man was the perfect one to HALO with Rhea. He caught her gaze across the room and nodded.
She nodded in return. Warmth filled him. She trusted him to take care of her.
“Everyone, get some rest. Stay close,” Marshall ordered. “We’re in a holding pattern until Rhea and Bree are finished with the neutralizing agent production.”
14
Vi hurt. Her back felt as though she carried an entire football team—which was entirely believable since she was pretty sure they were punting her bladder into the end zone. Ugh. How had Mary survived the last stages of pregnancy without complaint?
Because the woman was amazing, the most fearless and wonderful person Vi had ever met.
She rubbed her lower back and waddled from one side of the small conference room to another. Walking helped, or so the doctor had sworn. Thank goodness Jud was a masseuse god and gave the best rubdowns ever.
Awareness drifted within her.
As soon as they were done with this phone call, Vi was going to drag her hubby to “nap time,” even though she hadn’t slept a full night in a long while. Insomnia sucked, but Jud was assured it was very common when he’d expressed his concern with the doctor the day before. Yeah, Mary had been right. There was nothing better than daytime snuggling—and more—with the man you loved.
Jud entered the small conference room and headed straight toward her. His lips thinned, his gaze narrowed as he stroked her lower back. “Sit down, Viviana.”
He was going to be such a great dad. He’d spent hours drilling Dylan for advice and “practicing” diaper changing, baby holding, and burping on Jessie. Mary found it adorable. So did Vi. Dylan, on the other hand, was likely on his last nerve. Between Jud’s determination to be ready for his own daughter and all the doting uncles and friends at The Arsenal, Jessie had more attention than a queen.
“Sit down,” Jud repeated as he pulled out a chair.
“I need to walk. Vanessa is a budding astronaut. She’s gonna beat Elon to Mars and use my bladder as a rocket ship.” She forced a smile as Addy slipped into the room. “Sorry, I’ll be good to go in a second.”
“Don’t mind me,” the redhead said. “I overhead Momma Mason giving advice to Mary the last weeks of her pregnancy.
She swears by sex, says it works every time to get the stubborn ones moved out.”
Heat spread across Vi’s face. Yeah, sex wasn’t an issue with her and Jud—never had been. The man had an insatiable appetite, one which had thankfully matched hers easily when the hormones kicked into overdrive and turned her into a horndog.
Yesterday’s doctor visit had given her and Jud hope. Any day now.
“Vanessa?” Addy asked.
“No,” Jud replied. “Nice, try, Viviana, but you know our little Jen could never be a shallow Vanessa.”
Addy smirked. They’d bantered names back and forth the past few months, just as they had cat and dog names before. Jud was set on a J name to keep the family tradition going, but Vi wanted something more.
This was their family.
They deserved their own tradition.
“This won’t take long. Then we can take a nap,” he promised.
The twinkle in Jud’s heated gaze warned Vi not much sleep would be had. Her nipples hardened.
“Right. Let’s get this done,” Addy said. “You two are worse than Mary and Dylan were.”
“Just wait. Your time will come,” Vi commented.
“That’s doubtful.” The redhead sat in a chair as Jud helped Vi into hers.
He reached over and dialed a number on the speakerphone. “Let me take the lead.”
Vi didn’t reply. Addy nodded.
Was the fearless operative really okay? Vi was relieved Addy had cleared the air and that there had been no cause for concern. At least, not the concern Zoey and others had harbored. Vi suspected something had occurred between Addy and Kristof, but she trusted the operative to take her own pulse on the situation. If she needed help, she’d tag someone in.
“This is a surprise,” Kristof said.
“You got a minute, man?” Jud asked.
“For you, always.”
The conference room door opened and Zoey entered, with Gage on her heels. The man flashed an apologetic smile. Unease pricked along Vi’s back. The woman was a loose cannon when it came to Kristof. Addy may have cleared the air, but Zoey had chewed on a hatred for Kristof for a long time.
She remained silent as Jud stared her down. Vi grabbed his hand and shook her head gently.
“There’s a situation we’re working through you can help with,” Jud said. “Consider this a marker paid.”
“To you or Addison? Or to the little hummingbird?”
Silence stretched a moment. Kristof had referred to Zoey as a hummingbird since he’d first met the woman because of her quick and invisible hacks into his underground network.
“It seems I have a few markers owed to The Arsenal,” Kristof continued. “Though, given the circumstances of the past few months, I’m not certain it’s in my best interest to help. I’m very disappointed you’ve allowed our hummingbird so much control over the situation, Jud.”
“That’s between you and her.” Jud’s gaze slid to Addy. “Addy, Vi, and Zoey are here with Gage and me. We’ll make this brief. There’s an auction coming up, likely in Russia. A splinter cell selling some particularly nasty missiles.”
“Ah, yes. I heard about Cuba.”
Vi tensed. They’d tried to contain fallout from the Cuba operation, but Kristof heard things most folks hadn’t. How widespread was the rumor, and what was it?
“I’m uncertain how I could be of any help.”
“Cut the shit, Lavrov. Invites to the auction were culled, a very limited list. We need someone in there,” Zoey said.
“Ah, there she is.” Amusement drifted through the phone.
Kristof was a suicidal bastard to take on Jud, whose jaw twitched.
“Only warning, man,” Jud said.
“I’m afraid I’m not in a position to help at this time. Finances aren’t what they were, and I have several organizations watching me closely, thanks to our little bird.”
Vi expected the response. Lavrov didn’t become the most influential man in the underground without knowing how to work a situation. “You’ve already undone most of what she did. We let you crawl back. Don’t piss us off.”
Addy looked away but remained silent.
“My reputation can only take so many more hits. Even if I was willing to do this favor, the fallout would be too impactful.” Kristof paused. “I will see who else might be in a position to assist.”
Son of a bitch. From what Kristof had revealed during Zoey’s ordeal, they’d all realized the man had sunk into the underworld and become its king for a specific reason—one he’d yet to fully share with anyone. Vi looked over at Zoey. Red rose in her face, but the woman contained her anger. She’d come a long way since arriving at The Arsenal.
“We’ll help,” Zoey stated. She pounded her fist on the table. “With Stacia. Whatever it is you’re doing, read us in on the why after the missile situation is handled, and we’ll help.”
Stacia was someone Kristof had suspected Zoey had rescued from sex traffickers years ago. Although the woman hadn’t ever admitted to knowing her, Vi and Mary had realized the woman was part of the group who had taken in Sonja and her sister.
“If Addy agrees it’s okay, we’ll help you with Stacia,” Zoey clarified.
“Ah, sweet Addison, pulling the strings once again,” Kristof said with a chuckle. “Your brother would be proud of the power you wield so easily these days. I trust you are the one I’d be working with on all this?”
“I would.” Addy ground the words out.
“Very well. I will see what I can do if the hummingbird will return what she’s taken,” Kristof said. “These types of inquiries often require a lot of money.”
“Give me an hour,” Zoey said. “If you fuck us over one more time, I’ll bury you.”
“No,” Jud said, looking down the table at Zoey and Addy. “I’ll bury you, Kristof.”
“Understood,” the man replied. “This one is on the house. Consider it my apology for the Jade incident. I admit things got out of control. We all could have conducted ourselves a bit more communicatively. Right, Addison?”
“I cleared the air,” Addy said. Arms crossed, she glared at the phone. “They know you did only what was necessary.”
“Very well. Then perhaps you and I can put the past behind us and move forward, yes?”
“Don’t push your luck, Lavrov,” Addy said. “We’ll let you know when I arrive in Russia.”
The line went dead. Vi clicked it off. “Okay. That went better than expected. Are you sure about Stacia, Zoey?”
“I’m sure.” Zoey looked at Gage. “It’s the right move. If he didn’t hurt you, Addy, I owe him a marker. I may have taken things too far.”
“That alone will motivate him to move quickly,” Jud said. “You need me for this, let me know.”
The woman nodded. “Are you okay with this, Addy?”
“Yeah. Like you said, it’s the right play. There’s too much on the line right now. We need those missiles contained. My history with Lavrov is complicated, but he’s not an issue.”
“We’d find another way,” Gage commented.
“I’m okay. My team and I will be ready for wheels up when he calls back.” The woman grinned. “You two go get that nap while you still can.”
Sweat dampened Vi’s forehead as she collapsed on the bed. Nap time had never been so enjoyable. Vi snuggled into Jud’s embrace and peered out into the inky darkness that enveloped their room thanks to blackout curtains. Harry and Hermione curled together in the corner of the bed nearest her. The latter’s loud purrs filled the room.
“You should go with them,” she said, her mind returning to the call with Kristof.
“Not happening.” He ran his hand across her belly. “Besides, Addy can handle Lavrov and her team has her back. There’s no line they wouldn’t cross for her. Little Jasmine isn’t making her grand entrance without me.”
“No.” Vi laughed. He’d started with the simple and obvious. Janet. Judy. “We aren’t dooming our children to alliter
ation, Judson Jason Jensen.”
“Point taken.” He sighed heavily and trailed his fingers through her hair. “Is Rhea okay? Shit got intense with Carlisle. Say the word. One trip. Fifteen minutes.”
Vi wished she could say yes. Rhea’s ex was a scum sucking waste of air, but a critical component to identifying all the players involved in what was unfolding to be larger than The Collective takedown. “She knows we’re here for her when she’s ready.”
“Sanderson said she and Graves were tight. He tracked them down last night, found them very close.”
“You men are worse gossips than anyone.” Vi swatted his hand. “Honestly, it’s about time. They’ve been circling one another for a while. I just hope he doesn’t hurt her.”
“Your girl would be the one doing the damage. He was a lone wolf longer than me, Viviana. Solitude like that leaves wounds. From what you heard on the com, sounds like he was alone his whole life.”
Vi wished she knew more about the mysterious man who’d come into their lives back at Hive. Mary had worked with him the most, but Vi liked to think she was close to the man as well. “Mom called before the meeting, said she and Dad would be here in three days.”
Jud sighed again. “I’ll pick them up at the airport.”
Calling Jud’s parents Mom and Dad had been awkward at first, but Vi loved having the closeness of his family. They’d entered her life in a whirlwind of love and hugs and parental advice. Thanks to Jud’s mom and Mary and Momma Mason, Vi felt ready for motherhood.
“Jacob and Danny are coming with them,” Vi commented. “Jacob’s excited to help run the dots and security while Cuba is going down.”
“That’s good. Fuck knows you need the help.”
“Rhianna isn’t much younger than Jacob,” Vi whispered, giving her husband a bit of the worry she’d chewed on since discovering her friend had a daughter.
“Was wondering when you’d talk about that,” he whispered.
Tears brimmed in Vi’s eyes. She turned to face her husband and wrapped her arms around him. Head against his chest, she continued. “It’s all making sense now. The way she ran out of the Sip and Spin when Sara signed adoption papers so Jesse and Ellie could have Ariana.”
