Blackburn (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Brynne Asher

  Technology—it’s a sight for my sore eyes.

  A computer—even though it may be ancient, might connect to something. Two-way radios and some other ancient shit I’m sure won’t help us. A few cell phones laying around. But, a landline.

  Who has landlines anymore?

  I only need to make one international call and he’d better fucking answer.

  The sun has completely set, but I notice another truck parked outside. Now, I just need to find the keys—I haven’t hotwired a car in years.

  I let go of her hand to pick up the cordless phone and dial, grateful I have a knack at memorizing numbers. Turning to the woman who’s made me cross every boundary, I watch her hug herself across her now dingy dress that makes her no less beautiful.

  “Do me a favor and start looking for stuff. Car keys, money, food, water … a new pair of shoes for you. Anything we might need.” I start banging through drawers and Lillian starts to do the same.

  “Who are you calling?”

  I’m about to answer her when he finally picks up and bites, “Who’s this?”

  I knew he’d answer. Only those close to him have this number and I know for a fact he’s gotten many unknown callers before.

  “Tex,” I breathe his name in relief through the dirty handset. “Blackburn, here. I’m in a bit of a situation.”

  “Fuck, Gabe. What happened? Never mind. Tracing the call now. A bit of a situation, my ass. Your VP called me when they got the first ransom call. I’ve tried locating you with your phone, but you have no signal. Your employee still with you?”

  I reach up and brush Lillian’s cheek, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and watch her eyes warm. “Yeah. She’s with me. We’ve had quite the ride but she’s still in one piece.”

  I hear him typing away in the background. John “Tex” Keegan is a buddy I met when I was in the service. He might be a SEAL and I’m a Ranger, but we crossed paths years ago and bonded over our obsession with technology. I’ve offered him a job more times than I can count, but he’s happy with his wife Melody and their girls in Pennsylvania. No one’s better at finding and tracking people than Tex. And right now, I need him to find me and get us to fucking civilization.

  “There you are.” He keeps pecking away on his keyboard. “Man. You’re smack in the middle of Nicaragua. You need to reevaluate your clientele.”

  “Tex. I just took down two armed guards and I don’t know when the other two will be back. I don’t want to go back to the hotel—we’ll have to leave our stuff. They took our phones, computers, and passports. No idea where they are and I have no money on me.”

  “Aha!” I hear Lillian from behind me. I turn and she’s looking down into a pouch and flipping through a large stack of American dollars with some Nicaraguan córdobas mixed in. She looks up to me and her face lights up. “Lunch money, should we run into a food truck on our way back to town.”

  Despite our current conditions, I smirk at her as Tex keeps talking. “You on foot?”

  “Hope not.” I look back out at the truck, willing it to have gas. “There’s a truck outside. We came from the capital, but I’m not going back to that hotel. We need somewhere safe to go then get to the Embassy since we don’t have passports and I don’t see our shit anywhere around here.”

  “I’m zoomed in on the satellite maps. There’re dirt roads that should get you back to Managua. Keep a southwesterly route. The first major city you’ll hit will be Teustepe. You’ll find signs toward the capital from there. I’d say you’ve got a good three to four hour drive, minimum. Call me as soon as you hit civilization. I’ll find a safe place for you.”

  When I open another cabinet, I find more guns and ammo. I grab all four handguns and extra magazines. If we can get out of this country without using another gun, that would be better than okay, but I’m gonna do everything I can to cripple their organization before we leave.

  “Do me a favor and call Smith. Tell him we lost our passports—he’s got government connections. He’ll know who to call. Also, have him look into transportation. We need to get to…” I hold the phone away from my mouth and turn to Lillian. “Where does your family live in North Carolina?”

  She’s unearthed some gum and is popping a piece in her mouth. She gives me a small frown and says, “Wilmington.”

  “Tell Smith, when we get out of here, we’re going straight to Wilmington, North Carolina. He needs to make that happen. We found some cash, but a credit card would be nice.”

  “I’ll let him know. Call me back if you can’t get that truck started. Kills me you won’t carry one of my trackers. Would make my life a helluva lot easier.”

  I shake my head and sigh. Tex puts trackers on almost all of his friends and their women. Never saw the need in it. But I can’t lie, it would’ve been nice the last couple days.

  “We’ll talk about that when I step foot on American soil. I’ll check in when I can find a phone.”

  “Talk to you then, brother.”

  I hang up the phone and turn to Lillian.

  “All I found was the cash, gum, and some really, really questionable-smelling bowls of mostly eaten … something or other. I think it’s been sitting around for a while. I’m sorry, but I’d rather be hungry than sick. I don’t think I can eat it.”

  I nod. “I’m gonna go check their pockets for keys and then we’ll get out of here even if we have to walk.”

  She cringes the second the word walk passes my lips.

  “Stay here,” I say.

  “Oh, don’t you worry. I’m not going anywhere without you.”

  Careful of the blood seeping all over the floor, I check all their pockets and we luck out.

  Keys.

  I jingle them on my way back down the hall and Lillian’s eyes get big when she sees them.

  “As long as it’s gassed up, we’re good to go. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  She gives me a genuine smile and it lights up my world on this dark night.

  Chapter 10

  Starved Man

  Gabriel Blackburn

  We made it to Teustepe.

  It took all of the four hours Tex said it would and then some because of the treacherous makeshift roads. I did everything I could to divert Lillian’s mind from what we’ve been through and what could’ve happened or could still.

  I felt like a starved man desperate for time with her, like I was chained in an enforced captivity by not allowing myself any contact. I was greedy for anything Lillian Burkette.

  She answered more questions for over two hours as we drove through the dark rainforest before she started yawning. I told her to lay down on the bench and take a nap.

  With hesitant eyes, she finally relented. I guided her head to my thigh and pulled the tie out of her hair as I white-knuckled the steering wheel, trying to control myself as I touched her. Her hand came up and gripped my thigh as I pulled my fingers through her hair until she finally relaxed.

  I can pretty much say with full certainty—the woman can sleep anywhere and through anything. Never seen anything like it. She even snored again.

  Now, with Lillian still sleeping in the truck, I’m standing on the side of the road at an old payphone.

  “Will you accept a collect call from Gabriel Blackburn?” the operator asks when Tex answers.

  I hear my friend chuckle and he has the nerve to say, “I guess so.”

  “Damn, Tex,” I start when the call goes through. “I’ll pay you back for the call.”

  He laughs. “Been a long time since I’ve gotten a collect call, man. Didn’t even know it was still a thing.”

  I get down to business because I feel like a sitting duck. “What do you have for me?”

  “I’ve got a place secured in Managua where you can stay tonight. It’s owned by an American. He’s a retired Marine and has a place he stays there while on business. It’s only a one-bedroom condo—it’s the best I could do on short notice.”

  I look back at the truck where
my employee that I’ve crossed the line with is sleeping. We haven’t been separated for days and I’m not excited for that to happen now. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll make do.”

  “Smith is working with the Embassy. Your temporary paperwork to get back into the US should be ready late afternoon. I don’t know how he pulled that off. He must know some important people, which makes me want to know him, too.”

  “Smith was CIA. You could get to know him if you came and worked for me.”

  I hear him smile. “Nice try.”

  “How about getting home?” I ask.

  “Smith and I are both worried about your name circling—no way do we want you at the airport in the capital. He contracted a private jet. It’ll be there to pick you up tomorrow. He couldn’t get it arranged sooner. But that’ll give you time to get your paperwork from the Embassy. You’ll be flying out of a small airstrip and Smith assured me no questions will be asked when you leave.”

  I exhale, grateful for the friends I’ve made and kept over the years. “Perfect.”

  “You armed?” he asks.

  “Yeah. I grabbed a Glock and a couple other handguns. I think I have enough cash to gas up and get us to Managua. Give me the address.”

  I memorize the directions and how to get into the condo.

  “You’re a lifesaver, Tex. You ever get tired of pulling people out of the shit they get themselves into?”

  He laughs again. “Tracker, Gabe. I’m sending you one. Carry that fucker at all times from here on out.”

  I smirk. “I’ll think about it.”

  I hang up and head back to Lillian. We need food, new clothes, and a shower. It seems like we’ll be hiding out in the capital for a day before we can get out. I’m going to do everything I can to find Lillian chocolate and a rum drink in a coconut shell with an umbrella that will hopefully make her smile.

  Chapter 11

  This

  Lillian Burkette

  “Lillian, baby. Wake up.”

  A warm, strong hand is on my bottom and I have to admit, here in Nicaragua where we’ve had to fight for our lives and crossed every professional line that would embarrass my mother to no end—I like it there.

  My eyes fly open and, for the second day in a row, all I see are Gabe’s legs. I squeeze his muscled thigh and when I arch my back to stretch, he gives me a squeeze through my dress.

  I turn my head to look up at him and barely find the morning light peeking through the bug covered truck windows like glitter. My voice is scratchy when I offer him a small smile. “Good morning.”

  His hand comes up, stroking my cheek with his calloused fingers and shakes his head. “I couldn’t hear the radio over your snoring.”

  My eyes go big. “Stop it. I do not snore.”

  He smirks.

  I frown.

  His smirk grows into a satisfied cocky smile and he raises a brow, silently relaying to me how loud I snore.

  I push up from his lap but before I can get to a sitting position, he turns me and I’m wrapped up in his arms. One of his hands sneaks up into my hair and he takes my mouth.

  Grabbing onto his shoulders to hang on, he somehow twists me into his lap as he devours me in his kiss. We’re all tongues and hands—my soft to his desperate. When he finally lets go and presses his forehead to mine, we’re both breathing hard and, somewhere in the back of my brain, I’m thankful for the minty gum I found in that hellhole last night. We haven’t brushed our teeth in days.

  “If listening to you snore means I get to sleep next to you, baby, my ears are open and willing for as long as you’ll have me.”

  I close my eyes, embarrassed and turned-on. How is that even possible?

  “I said this yesterday—never seen anything like it. You could sleep through a hurricane.”

  I open my eyes and shrug. “I’m a sound sleeper, what can I say?” I look around and see we’re back in civilization. Forgetting all about my snoring, I shift in his lap to take in our surroundings. “We’re back? Gabe, you got us back!”

  He groans when I move and pulls me down tight into his lap. “We don’t fly out ‘til tomorrow but I’ve got a place for us to stay tonight. Let’s go get some clothes and food. I’m ready to be settled and safe while we’re waiting for our paperwork from the Embassy.”

  I turn back to him, bringing my hands up to his scruffy, dirty, beautiful face that’s now bruised on his temple. For the first time since this started between my boss’s boss and me, I press my lips to his. “Thank you, Gabe.”

  “And we need to find out how your grandmother is. You can make that call when we get settled.”

  I nod, trying not to tear up thinking about Gran.

  He runs his hand down my thigh and gives the torn hem of my dress a tug. “As much as I’ve liked you in this the last few days, I think we need some new clothes. Let me take you shopping.”

  I do everything I can not to think of this man as my boss and melt in his arms. “Who are you, Gabriel Blackburn? Until we got lost in the rainforest, you did nothing but scowl at me and now you want to take me shopping? Those five little words are like a dream come true to some women.”

  His blue eyes gaze intensely into mine. “Let’s get moving so I can make sure you’re safe until we can leave. We need to talk about this,” he gives me a squeeze, “before we get back on American soil.”

  This.

  I roll my lips in and take a big breath. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This should never happen. It’s all kinds of unprofessional. Whatever this is, it will have to end when we get back and that makes my insides ache.

  But right now, Gabe is going to take me shopping for clean clothes. I might just demand some flip-flops and a toothbrush.

  Chapter 12

  Not Good News

  Lillian Burkette

  I feel almost like a new person. It’s amazing what a shower, clean clothes, and a toothbrush can do for one’s demeanor.

  Shopping in Nicaragua isn’t like just swinging by the mall. There’s no Victoria’s Secret or Nordstrom as a one-stop shop.

  No. Gabe whisked me through an open-air market and I was in heaven. I’ve always loved shopping in the markets every time I’ve been here. I ended up with a maxi dress with spaghetti straps and a pair of wide, loose-fit pants with a matching cami. Gabe bought two pairs of shorts, a t-shirt, and a soft, short sleeved blue button down that will do amazing things for his eyes.

  What they do not have in the open-air markets in Nicaragua are panties. Or bras, for that matter.

  After schlepping through the rainforest for days and being man-handled by guerrilla terrorists, there was no way I was putting on that dirty bra and pair of panties. I’ll happily go without.

  Then we bought local fruits, meats, cheeses, and some veggies off the street. I could have died when Gabe threw in some dark chocolate and a bottle of rum.

  When I raised a brow at the rum, he said he didn’t have any happy umbrellas, but he could make me a fruity rum drink and said I’d earned it.

  I didn’t argue.

  Then he threw in a bottle of whiskey for himself and we were off again, Gabe informing me that once we got to the condo we weren’t leaving until we were on our way to the airstrip. I wondered if that meant we were going to talk about whatever this is that’s happening between us.

  We took turns showering, ate, and Gabe sat down next to me and asked who I needed to call to check on my grandmother. Unfortunately, that meant calling my mother. He asked for the number and after punching in a slew of numbers, he handed me the house phone in the condo. Then he pressed his lips to my forehead before heading out to the balcony to give me some privacy.

  It was not good news.

  That was an hour ago.

  I shiver. I don’t know if it’s the AC after being stuck in the heat for days or if it’s the news about my grandmother, but I have a chill I just can’t shake.

  I’m sitting sideways on the sofa, watching the sun slink away for the day. Gabe settles in b
ehind me, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his chest. He smells clean and all man from the whiskey neat he’s been sipping. Ever since I got the news about my grandmother, Gabe has been attentive and sweet—nothing like the man I’ve known for the last four months. I’m working on a stiff rum drink he made me. I don’t even ask what’s in it, I just know it’s delicious.

  He hands me a fresh glass as he wraps me up in his arms. “You’re covered in goosebumps. Why didn’t you tell me you were cold?”

  Not thinking about him being my boss is selfish but I don’t care about right or wrong. I allow myself to sink into his warm chest and ask, “Whose condo is this?”

  He takes a sip of his drink and sets it on the table, running his hands over my bare arms to warm me. “I don’t know.”

  I turn to look at him. “You broke in?”

  He frowns at me. “No. I only break into things when it’s absolutely necessary. My buddy arranged this. It’s owned by a friend of his, so it’s safe. We don’t have to worry about anyone being paid off for details on an American businessman and his beautiful female associate.”

  I sigh. “I’ve always loved it here. Do you think you’ll ever figure out who targeted us? I’ve been here so many times and never had any problems.”

  “I doubt we’ll ever really know what happened. I need to take a closer eye on security for future trips. I’ll bring you back someday and not just for work.”

  I tense in his arms. “Gabe, we need to talk about—”

  He shakes his head, his scruffy beard pulls through my hair. “No. We’re not talking tonight after you got the news about your grandmother. You relax and let me get you to Wilmington tomorrow. That’s all that matters.”

  I feel a lump form in my throat and my eyes burn with moisture. I shake my head and bite my lip so hard I taste copper, but I can’t overcome it. I’ve fought it off ever since I got off the phone with my mother. She might have given me the news, but she sure as hell did it with the edge of her tongue for me not being there, telling me all about the time she’s had to invest pretending she even cares what happens to her own mother, and finally, for me allowing my unnecessary and demeaning job to get in the way of family affairs. All I heard about was how she had to explain to all their friends and acquaintances why I wasn’t there.