by Rebecca Deel
Breath stalled in his lungs. “Boyfriend?”
“If I had one, which I don’t.”
The invisible band around his chest loosened.
“May I ask a question, Zane?”
And here it comes, he thought, disappointment spiraling through him. The inevitable question of how he ended up in this wheelchair. “Can’t promise I’ll answer.”
“Fair enough. Which branch of the military were you in?”
“You’re sure I was military?”
“Please. Fortress hires law enforcement and military. You weren’t a cop. Wrong moves.” She frowned. “You remind me some of Detective Taylor, but he’s not an ordinary cop. So which branch did you serve in?”
“Navy.”
Claire studied him a moment. “You’re a SEAL, aren’t you?”
“Was.”
She shook her head. “You still are, Zane, always will be. The training and mindset don’t disappear simply because you’re not active duty any longer.”
And still she didn’t ask what took his ability to walk. Amazing. He couldn’t think of anyone he’d met in the last two years who wasn’t curious about his injury, flat out ignored him, or treated him like an imbecile. “Aren’t you going to ask about this?” He tapped the chair.
“I hope you’ll tell me when we know each other better.”
Huh. “So you’re a photographer.”
“That’s right. I love taking pictures of people in the pivotal moments of their lives. Birthdays, engagements, weddings, anniversaries.”
“You any good?”
She laughed as he’d intended. “Several of my photographs have been printed in leading national magazines. They must think I’m good.”
“I’d like to see your work.”
“Now I know for sure you aren’t a secret reader of bridal magazines.”
He chuckled, enjoying her spunky attitude.
“I’ll be glad to show you, Zane, though you’ll be bored to tears. I also have a website with sample portraits.”
Definitely something for him to check out when the nights were too long or too quiet. He glanced at his watch. Adam was late. Not too much, but enough to raise Zane’s concern.
“How late is he?” Claire asked softly.
“Fifteen minutes.”
They passed more minutes talking about the locations she’d been around the world to shoot photographs. It stunned Zane that people would pay so much money to hire a photographer and pay her expenses to a foreign locale just to take pictures in exotic places. Of course, some of the places she described, Zane and his SEAL team had also been. While Claire had seen the tourist side, he and his teammates had witnessed the horrors of the underworld. Same country, but worlds apart.
At the one hour mark, Zane swung around to the console. Not good. Adam was never this late. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he initiated a trace on the GPS chip implanted under the skin on Adam’s back.
He got nothing.
“Zane?” Claire laid her hand on his arm, stilling his movements. “Tell me.”
He covered her hand with his, squeezed. “All Fortress operatives have tracking devices implanted under the skin.”
“That’s good. So you know exactly where Adam is, right?”
“I should.”
Her hand tightened on his arm. “What does that mean?”
“Adam’s chip was working yesterday. I check when he calls. It’s not working now. I have a couple more things to try before we sound the alarm.”
“Is it possible the chip is malfunctioning?”
“Not likely, Claire.”
She slid her hand out from under his. “My brother is in trouble, isn’t he?”
“I’m not sure.” Several keystrokes later, Zane knew. He punched in Brent Maddox’s number. His boss grabbed the phone on the first ring, sounding alert even though it was almost four a.m. “Brent, we have a problem.”
CHAPTER SIX
Brent Maddox strode into the comm center and dropped into the nearest chair. “When was the last time we had contact with Adam?” he asked.
Had to appreciate a man who got right to the point, Zane thought. “Yesterday morning at three.”
“Any indication there might be a problem developing?”
“None. In fact, he seemed optimistic that something might break soon and he could come home.”
The boss’s eyes narrowed. “Was there a problem I should have been made aware of, Murphy?”
He stiffened. “No, sir.” Not exactly. “This assignment was wearing on him. He was anxious to come home.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you know more than you’re telling?”
“What’s new about that?” he countered. He knew a good deal more about Brent Maddox than anyone in the company although he didn’t run his mouth about it.
“Murphy,” Maddox snapped.
“Look, I don’t know anything for sure.”
“But you suspect something. Spill it.”
He sighed, mentally apologizing to his friend for the infringement on his privacy. “Adam would have probably shown up at the landing zone with a…complication.”
His boss’s eyes narrowed. “A woman?”
Zane wasn’t sure about that. A few words here and there in the quick conversations led him to believe the other operative was worried about someone’s safety besides his own. “Maybe.”
“You should have told me his objectivity was compromised.”
“He never said he was involved with anyone. Can’t tell you what I don’t know.”
Maddox blew out a breath in frustration. “Where’s Claire?”
“Bunk room, talking to her grandmother.”
The other man stiffened. “What?”
“Take it easy, Brent. Ms. Naomi called Claire to find out how she was settling in. Adam’s sister knows not to tell the grandmother too much.”
“Did you try remotely activating Adam’s tracking chip?”
Zane bit back the scathing reply which sprang to his lips. He tried remote activation first when he realized the chip wasn’t working. “No response. I also checked the diagnostic feed. Adam’s chip was working perfectly until six hours ago.”
“And that time is significant because?”
“It was an hour before those two clowns abducted Claire.”
Maddox scowled. “Where was he when we lost the signal?”
Zane spun around to face the console. Seconds later, his screen lit up with a flashing light, starting from twenty-four hours before they’d lost the signal. “Time lapse shows Adam’s GPS signal in and around the Collins compound in Belize until the signal disappeared.”
“Get me a list of our assets’ positions in that area. I want to know who is close to Adam’s last known location.”
Another series of keystrokes. “St. Claire’s team is the nearest.”
Maddox grunted. “No matter what Trent says, he isn’t one hundred percent yet. He’s not ready for the kind of engagement they face if Adam is still in that compound.”
“You think he’s been moved?” a soft feminine voice asked.
Zane and his boss both turned. Claire’s pale face and pain-filled gaze tied Zane’s gut into knots. He longed to ease her pain and fear. Wasn’t his job, he reminded himself. “I would,” he murmured. “His target has to know Adam’s backup will scour the area for him.”
She sat on the chair beside him. “Wouldn’t that put his life in danger?” Her eyes closed a moment. “If he’s still alive.”
“His life is already on the line,” Maddox said. “Someone in that compound knows who he is. Otherwise, the two guys who kidnapped you wouldn’t have been so determined to grab you. They certainly wouldn’t have been on you within an hour of the GPS going dark. They need you to make him talk. The question is why?”
“His cover was perfect,” Zane said. “I’ve been monitoring searches on his name. There haven’t been any.”
His boss’s eyes narrowed. “The complicat
ion?”
“Complication? What are you talking about?” Claire’s brow furrowed.
Zane frowned at Maddox before facing the woman at his side. Claire had enough to worry over without adding a nameless, faceless female to the mix. “We don’t know anything, but your brother seemed concerned about the safety of someone in that compound.”
“A woman, you mean.”
He lifted one shoulder. “Could be. He never said.”
“That would be just like him,” she murmured. “Adam has a soft spot for women in trouble.”
A snort from the Fortress CEO. “When hasn’t that been the case for all our operatives? If there hasn’t been a hit on Walker’s cover name, then someone leaked his identity.”
Ice flowed through Zane’s veins. “We only have two options.”
Fury darkened his boss’s face. “Either he told someone in the compound his real name, which is unlikely, or Collins has a mole inside Fortress.”
“One of Adam’s co-workers turned on him?” Claire’s voice sounded incredulous. A similar emotion rocketed through Zane. “Why would anyone do that? According to Adam, his team is like his family.”
“There are black sheep in every family, Claire.” Maddox reached over and clasped her hand. “We’ll find him, I promise you. We’ll bring him home to you.”
“I expect more than that,” she said. “If there is a traitor in Fortress, I want you to find the turncoat and make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”
He nodded, then shifted his gaze to Zane. His expression hardened. “Find the leak.”
“Yes, sir.” He paused a moment. “I may need to bring in Jon Smith.”
“Why?”
“Remy, Lily, and I are providing security for Claire.” A jumble of emotions assaulted Zane. Fear he couldn’t do the job, determination to stay on the team, and sheer joy at being in the field rather than relegated to the comm center. Yeah, he knew his tech skills had saved lives. Much as he found satisfaction in his work, Zane missed field work.
“Call Smith. He and Eli just returned from a mission. I don’t want to send them out again for a while.”
“Copy that.”
Maddox released Claire’s hand and stood. “Keep me apprised of your progress, Zane. You’re authorized to do whatever is necessary to find the mole. Claire, do exactly as your security detail instructs and you’ll be fine. I would trust my own life to any of them.”
“Thank you.”
Another nod, and then he was gone.
“How is your grandmother?”
A sad smile curved her mouth. “Very excited that I’m in town.” She sat back in the chair. “Are you sure one of Adam’s friends turned on him?”
“There’s a slight possibility the chip malfunctioned. To this point, no one else’s chip has. I’m sorry, sweetheart, but the most likely scenario isn’t pretty.”
“Tell me.”
“If Adam’s chip didn’t malfunction, there are only two possibilities. Collins discovered the signal and is blocking it or somebody felt it under the skin and….”
“And cut it out and destroyed it.” Claire finished. “You have to find him, Zane. Besides Nana, he’s all I have left.”
“You have my word on that. We never leave one of our own behind.”
“Just sell them out.” She held up her hand, sighed. “Sorry. That was uncalled for. I know you aren’t to blame.”
“I’ll find him, Claire. Trust me.”
“I do. More important, Adam trusts you.”
“Will you be able to rest more tonight?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Once my feet hit the floor, I’m awake.”
“There are shower facilities for the operatives two doors beyond the bunk room. You’ll also find spare clothes in there. Not fancy, but serviceable, things our operatives are comfortable wearing and most likely in black so they can blend in better. Once Remy and Lily arrive, they can escort you to your house. What time is your photography session today?”
“Ten. And don’t worry about the clothes. When I’m working, comfort is the rule of the day and photographers are supposed to fade into the background.”
“Who’s the lucky couple?”
“Marty King and Sheila Wallace. They are friends of Joe Ackerman.”
One of Adam’s teammates. Coincidence? Zane didn’t like the uneasiness in his gut. Not too many coincidences in their line of work. “When did King and Wallace set up the appointment?”
“Right after I moved to town. Why?”
“More information is better.” No indication that Adam’s cover had been compromised at that point. He’d look into it anyway.
“Will you be going with me to the shoot?”
Zane’s head whipped in her direction. “Don’t you trust Remy and Lily?”
“Of course. I feel safer with you.”
Shock zinged through his body. “Someone will have to cover for me.”
“I understand. If you can’t find anyone, I’m sure I’ll be fine with Remy and Lily.” She stood. “I’ll return in a few minutes.”
Zane watched her walk from the comm center before swiveling around to the console. He sent Smith a text message, asking for help in running down the leak, then contacted Remy.
“Hold on.” The sounds of his friend fumbling and a door shutting reached Zane’s ears. “This better be good, Z,” his friend growled. “Not all of us keep your vampire hours.”
“Claire has a photo shoot at 10 a.m. She needs a security detail.”
“Copy that. You coming along?”
“She asked me to. I should stay here.”
“Why? Look, man, I know you’re top of the class in tech skills, but you also have unbeatable skills in the field as well.”
“We have a mole,” he murmured.
Silence greeted that statement. “Who?” Remy finally asked, his voice cold enough to freeze water.
“Don’t know. Yet. Adam’s chip stopped sending his location.”
“How’s Claire handling this?”
“She’s dealing.”
“She knows the worst case scenario?”
“Maddox and I didn’t spell it out, but she’s sharp. Claire understands.” That look on her face, the fear in her eyes? Yeah, Adam’s sister knew her brother might already be dead.
“Bring Jon in. He can handle the comm center while running the search.”
“I can send Jon with you.” Zane wanted out in the field, but not bad enough to compromise Claire’s safety.
“No question, he can handle himself in the field. So can you.”
“I’m not exactly mobile, Doucet,” he snapped and regretted it immediately. Remy had been nothing but accepting and supportive since they’d met.
“Hasn’t stopped you so far,” came the mild response. “You trounced my land speed record good last night. I’d say you’re plenty mobile. Look, we both know Claire will be more cooperative if she’s comfortable with her detail. From what Lily and I observed last night, she gravitates to you. Face it, Z, we need you on this operation. We can’t let her or Adam down.”
Zane prayed their faith in him wasn’t misplaced.
CHAPTER SEVEN
When Claire reached for the handle, a large hand clamped around her wrist. She turned to Zane, her eyebrows raised.
“Your security detail always checks the surroundings first. Wait.”
“Sorry. I’ve never needed bodyguards before. I’ll remember from now on.” She pressed her cold hand to his warm one. He generated so much heat. Greedy to retain as much as she could to chase away the chill of fear, Claire wrapped her hand around his. “Thank you for coming with me, Zane,” she said after Lily and Remy exited the van.
“You’re welcome,” he murmured.
“Do you think the security detail is necessary?”
“To keep you out of enemy hands, yes, I do.”
“They’re in jail. I should be safe now.” Right?
“Sweetheart, if Collins is behind Ada
m’s disappearance and your abduction, he’ll send men after you until he captures you.”
Not something she wanted to hear. The only reason Collins would want Claire was to force her brother into talking by threatening her life. She frowned. Nice people her brother was pitted against. A stab of pain made her heart ache. If Adam was still alive. He had to be. Losing him didn’t bear thinking about. Worse, his death might cause her grandmother to have a heart attack. She’d already had two strokes and the cardiologist warned Claire and Adam a severe shock might kill her. “Shouldn’t I know something about the person who sent men to kidnap me?”
“Peter Collins is the king of heroin in the northern hemisphere.”
She frowned. “Does Fortress take on drug runners?”
“When the drug runner is expanding his enterprise to include weapons.” Zane’s expression was blank, his voice flat.
Whatever he was reluctant to say couldn’t be anything good. If it was pertinent to her safety, she’d learn what it was soon enough.
Without turning, Remy signaled Zane. Her remaining bodyguard leaned forward and activated the platform which would lower him to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel’s parking lot.
“Wait until I’m on the ground. Leave your equipment in the van. Remy will come back for it. I can take your camera bag for you. Just remember to do exactly what we say and you’ll be fine.”
“I only need my camera bag. The rest of the photos will be taken at my home.” Claire caught Zane’s slight flinch. What was that about? Then her gaze dropped to the wheelchair. Ah. He was worried about her home being accessible to him. She could set his mind at ease on that score. “My house is one level with an open floor plan. Because of my work, I make sure my home or studio is wheelchair accessible.”
The subtle relaxation of his features confirmed Claire’s guess. Just the sheer challenge of daily living was enough to drive her to an ice cream binge about once a week. She couldn’t imagine the day-to-day stress and frustration involved in Zane’s daily life. What he did do to relieve stress?
Her gaze skimmed over his broad chest and sculpted arms. Was the cut physique from moving his body weight or did the operative lift weights? Of course he lifted weights, no doubt bench-pressing several hundred pounds. She’d observed enough people through a camera lens to recognize the result of hard work. God had been generous to Zane in his looks, but the muscular build had been earned the hard way.
