“Let me see Andrew right this second,” Karen yelled.
Drake laughed with relief. He’d only run into it a few times, but that redheaded temper was a sight to behold.
“Don’t laugh,” Mother and daughter said at the same time.
He laughed harder. He thought he might cry he was so fucking thankful. Trenda knelt and handed him Andrew.
“Give him to me,” Karen insisted.
“Not on your life, Honey. You stay down until the EMT’s check you out.”
“EMT’s? It’s over?” she asked shakily.
“It’s over.”
She tried to push up.
“I said stay down.” He bent low, so that she could touch their son. He stroked back her hair, and looked into the emerald depths of her eyes. “Thank you for taking care of our boy.”
“Thank you for saving us.”
He captured her mouth in a tender kiss. “I love you, Mrs. Avery.”
“God, I love you Drake.”
Chapter Sixteen
“WE WANT IN,” GRAY SAID as his team followed him into a dingy warehouse in San Diego.
What the fuck? How the hell had they found them? Drake gave Clint a dark stare. Clint pointed over at Dex.
“You don’t get a piece of this,” Mason said to the lieutenant of the Black Dawn SEAL team. “You know as good as I do this is more than just a matter of us losing our commissions, this is prison time if we’re caught.”
Declan cleared his throat. “I resent that. Nobody’s going to get caught.”
“Is this the guy you told me about?” Gray asked Dex. “He doesn’t look like much.”
A man stepped up from behind Declan. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Carson, I work with Declan, and you’re Grayson Tyler, do you want me to tell you what you had for dinner last night? You went to the same old bar in Lincoln Park and ordered fish ‘n chips. You need to watch it; all that grease isn’t good for your cholesterol.”
Drake watched as Gray absorbed the man’s words. Fucking Carson, always needed to show off.
“So now you know a little bit about my team,” Declan said. “I figured you’d want in on this little operation.”
“My wife could have been killed,” Griffin Porter said heatedly. Drake remembered the man from a train wreck two years ago. He was quiet, but deadly. “There is no way I’m not in on this op.”
“A lot of our women could have been killed,” Jack said with his deep Texas accent. “They had no regard for our families.”
“Do we know how they found us? Was it the pictures that were taken of Drake and me? Or was it the fucker from the CIA on the last mission?”
“Carson and I have been working together on this,” Clint said.
Shit, that was a scary thought. Clint had probably pulled Lydia in too. The three of them could probably hack NORAD if they wanted to.
“It was Mason’s face,” Clint said. “Do you remember that surfing championship you won when you were seventeen? They cross-matched it to the picture they took in Cameroon.”
“Who’s they?” Mason asked in a deadly whisper.
“The Decault Group,” Carson answered
“Anybody else have it?” Mason asked.
“Currently the Decault Group has the information up for auction. The bid is up to twelve million to know the personal information of Midnight Delta,” Carson said.
“How many bidders?” Drake wanted to know.
“Only two stayed in the game once it got into the millions. You can guess who.”
“ISIS,” Mason said. “Do we have a name and a contact of who the bidder is?”
Clint grinned broadly. “As a matter of fact we do, Boss.”
“The Boko Haram isn’t funded well enough for twelve million,” Gray said.
“Oh, but I can guess who is ponying up the other bid. We left some unfinished business last year,” Mason said, his expression grim. “I just didn’t think they knew it was us.”
“The Lius,” Finn said bitterly. “You think that the extended family in China has decided to come after us?”
“Yep,” Mason said.
“Congratulations, Mason,” Carson said. “You win the toy in the Cracker Jack box.”
“Like we said, Black Dawn wants in,” Gray reiterated.
“Like I said, you’re keeping your hands clean,” Mason said succinctly.
“Gentlemen,” a blond man who stood with Declan held up his hands. “All of y’all are out of this. That’s why we’re here.”
“And who are you? Are you going to tell me my brand of toilet paper?” Gray asked.
“I do a little bit of this and a little bit of that. The name is Hudson.”
“That tells us shit.” Gray was pissed. It was interesting to see.
Dex spoke up. “Are you Hudson Wells?”
Hudson nodded.
“Hold up, Lieutenant. I’ve heard of him, former Army Ranger. He made a name for himself. Pissed some people off. But ended up with the Bronze Star for Valor in Afghanistan.”
“How do you know this shit?” Gray asked the man who was in charge of Black Dawn’s information.
“I’m betting you’re a Cottonelle man.” Dex grinned at his lieutenant.
“Shut it.” Gray turned to back to Hudson. “So, you’re a cleaner. And Declan, you have some operation called the Shadow Alliance, what the fuck are you going to do for Mason and his team?”
“Yeah, what the fuck are you going to do? Because I want in. I don’t really give a shit about Gray. This was my fucking wedding. My wife of four fucking hours ended up in the ER. Dare almost died. I’m going to get my hands dirty.”
“No, you’re not,” Mason’s voice echoed through the warehouse. “None of you are going rogue. Declan and his team have four weeks. He’s assured me he can take care of it in four week’s time.”
“No, you can’t. That’s impossible. You mean to tell me you’re going to take down ISIS when nobody else has?” Drake said derisively.
“Jesus, Avery, you aren’t listening. But what else is new?” Declan said impatiently. “Clint and Carson have the name of the sheikh who is bidding on behalf of ISIS. He’s currently in Qatar.”
“If you make an example out of him while he’s in Qatar all hell with break loose,” Gray said.
“I trust them, Gray. You need to. They’ll get the message across and make sure there isn’t an international incident,” Mason said.
Hudson cracked his knuckles. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I get China,” Carson grinned.
“You and Noah get the Lius,” Declan corrected.
“Spoilsport,” Carson grumbled.
“I’m going to be taking care of Kevin Decault myself,” Declan said.
Drake itched. Mason saw it. Finn saw it. Hell everyone, even Declan saw it. “Sidebar,” Declan said to the room in general. Then he gave Drake a chin tilt and the two of them wandered off next to an empty shipping container that stank.
“Drake, you’ve gotta trust me.”
“I don’t gotta do nothing.” Everything that made him a man cried out for retribution. Demanded that he be the one to mete out justice.
“I’m going to make this fucker pay. I’m going to make sure that everybody knows you don’t fuck with a SEAL’s family, okay?”
“Not good enough. This was my wedding. I’m going on this mission with you.”
Declan laughed. “How do you figure that, big guy?”
“Something happens to Kevvie Decault, I’ll turn you in. So, unless you want to face a life behind bars, you better let me in on this op.”
Declan really started laughing hard. “There isn’t a chance in hell they’d ever be able to pin it on me. Not even with you pointing the authorities at me. Number two, Finn likes me, and you wouldn’t want to hurt his delicate feelings. Number three, you want vengeance, and I can get it for you. You can’t, and you want to know why?”
This Drake had to hear. “Why?”
�
��You have a wife of two days and a child of seven weeks who desperately need you. Now. They need you now, Drake. They don’t need you away from them. Karen just went through a harrowing birth, and her wedding, albeit memorable, was less than stellar. You need to get your ass home to her, and plant it there. At least until the next real mission. You need to let someone have your back on this, Brother.”
Drake thought about Karen’s chalk white face. So white he could easily count the small smattering of freckles across her nose. She was waking up every time he rolled over in bed. The only reason she was okay with him leaving tonight was that her parents were sleeping in Piper’s room. Piper, meanwhile, was staying over at Evie’s house.
“Can you Drake? Can you really leave your wife for this? You know you can trust me.”
“Can I?” Drake hated the desperation in his voice.
“You can. You can trust all of us. We’re going to shut this shit down, so that everybody will know you don’t fuck with a Navy SEAL’s family.”
Drake felt movement at his back. He sighed, and turned. It was Finn and Mason. “I suppose you agree with this cowboy?”
“I have one question.” Finn jumped in. “Declan, will you and yours be able to sleep at night if you move forward with your plans?”
Declan’s demeanor turned solemn. “Finn, your issue was never taking out Liu. That was taking out the trash, just like this will be. Your brand of justice is sanctioned by our government. The people who work with me have moved on. Our brand of justice is handled in the shadows, but it’s just as pure, just as righteous.”
Drake considered his words. He’d worked with Declan and the Shadow Alliance before, he knew he could trust them. He knew he was right, his place right now was with his family.
“Thank you.” Drake held out his hand. “We’ll owe you.”
“No, you won’t. We’re just doing the right thing. Nothing more, nothing less.” Then Declan gave an evil grin. “However, you might loan us Clint and Lydia some time.”
DRAKE WALKED IN THE front door of his townhome at three a.m. The only light on was the one over the stove. Andrew’s feeding would have been over an hour and a half ago. He armed the security system and went to the refrigerator. Quietly he asked, “Can I get something for you, James?”
“You saw me here, did you?”
“I’d be a pretty shitty SEAL, if I didn’t notice someone sitting in the dark in my own damn house.”
“Well come sit down with me a spell,” James said. “If you’re having a slice of Wilma’s cake, bring another for me.”
Drake cut two slices, and got two glasses of milk to go with it. You couldn’t have German chocolate cake without cold milk. He brought it out to the dark dining room. The thin scrap of the new moon shone through the window. The two men ate in silence.
“So, what kind of plan did you put into place?” James finally asked.
“I beg your pardon?”
“This is too damned important for bullshit. My daughter, my grandson, and the man I now consider my fourth son are in danger.” James placed his fork precisely down beside his plate. Drake could see that he really wanted to throw it, and probably the plate, across the room. “Fuck that, you’re not in danger, your lives are on the line. Now tell me what you’ve done to ensure your survival. I know you’ve done something. I want to know.”
“No, you don’t.”
James sighed. “Yes, Drake I do, but...”
“But?”
“But, I also want to know that you’ve protected yourself so that this doesn’t boomerang back on you. But you’re a canny bastard. Your boss seems bright too. I figure you’ve come up with a plan that won’t backfire. Now tell me.”
“I can’t.”
James’ hand shot out quick as lightening and grabbed Drake by the front of his shirt. “You can, and you will.”
Seemed like the three apples didn’t fall far from the tree.
“I’ll send you proof after it’s taken care of, will that do it for you?”
James released Drake’s shirt, then smoothed it out. He gave a half smile. “That will do just fine.”
Epilogue
KAREN HADN’T BEEN BORED once on the two-hundred-mile drive from San Diego to Bakersfield. Her husband was funny, with a capital ‘F’.
“Now where are we headed?” she asked as they passed the Bakersfield exits.
“You’ll see,” Drake said with a secretive smile.
“Drake, you’re passing the place with the butter burger. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I looked up places I knew you’d like before we went on this road trip.”
Karen noticed that he let off the gas a little bit. “Woman, I fall in love with you more each day, did you know that? But this trip is about you.”
Karen crossed her arms over the truck’s seatbelt. “That’s bullcrap. This is our honeymoon, it’s about both of us.”
Drake reached over and tugged one of her hands loose and rested it against his warm thigh, tangling their fingers together. “Do you want to call your mom again and check on Andrew?”
“I’m not that neurotic. I just called her two hours ago,” she said wryly.
“Actually, you called her twice in the last hour, but who’s counting?”
Karen tried to pull her hand back, so she could cross her arms again.
“I’m teasing.” He smiled before turning his head back to the freeway.
“Okay, maybe I’m a little bit neurotic,” she admitted.
“Hey, one of those calls I suggested,” he reminded her.
She smiled. That made her feel better. Everything about this trip was making her feel pretty damn good. Except for being away from Andrew.
Suck it up, Eastman, oops, Avery. Her name was Avery. God, that sounded good. Karen Marie Avery. She rubbed her thumb against Drake’s palm. She couldn’t wait to get alone with him tonight. Yesterday she’d gotten the all clear from the doctor. Tonight was going to be a big night, that is if he’d ever stop.
“How much further?” she asked.
“Getting impatient?”
“Yes.”
Drake’s laugh filled the cab of the truck. “We’re almost there.”
“We passed all the exits for Bakersfield, I think you messed up.”
“Karen, I navigate my way through jungles, I think I can handle the interstate.” Drake turned on his blinker. Finally, they were going to stop. She just hoped it was going to be a step up from the Motel Eight she saw advertised on the side of the highway.
She watched as the road slid by, and they pulled up to an impressive log cabin. “Where are we?” she asked as she tried to smother a yawn.
“The Cedar Inn. It’s a bed and breakfast.”
“This looks like a pretty fancy for a bed and breakfast.”
“You deserve fancy.”
Karen started to open her door. “Stay there, let me help you out.” She smiled. He always insisted on doing that even when they first met. She really liked that.
When the door opened, she noticed how cool the air was. At long last she started to think that it was winter. It had to be forty degrees out, which was nice considering it was seventy degrees when they left San Diego. Seriously, was she never going to experience a winter again?
Drake lifted her out of the truck, their bodies sliding against one another. Oh, it was going to be a good night. “I’ll just bring in our overnight bags, we’ll unpack for real when we hit Yosemite tomorrow night, how does that sound?” he asked.
“Perfect.” She’d put a slinky nightie in her overnight bag. It was going to knock his socks off.
He led her into the reception area and they checked in. Soon they were in their room. It was gorgeous.
“I’m going to take a quick shower and shave,” Drake said.
“That’s great, it’ll give me a chance to change into something more comfortable.”
He left the door open a bit when he went into the bathroom. Karen liked that. She loved hearing him d
oing mundane things. She would never tell him, but she didn’t like it when he wasn’t home, so when he was around, she savored every second.
This time she was smart and did a quick breast pump, then slipped into the blue nightie and got under the covers. Drake started humming. Another thing that brought her comfort. He always did that when he shaved. She could just picture Drake teaching Andrew to shave, and both of them at the sink, humming together.
SHE LOOKED BEAUTIFUL sleeping on the soft white sheets. Drake got into bed beside her and she didn’t move. The woman was on the go twenty-four/seven with Andrew, and it was no wonder she was asleep. But he couldn’t help himself, he had to try. He gathered her into his arms. She shifted, then melted against him, her breathing soft and even. Nope, she hadn’t even come close to waking up.
“Dude, you’re so not getting any,” he said glancing down at his cock. Then he grinned. If he told the truth, all of those early morning feedings with Andrew, and secret meetings with Declan and his team had really taken a toll on his sleep schedule too. He pulled Karen’s ass closer to his front, until she was positioned just right. It was the perfect combination of heaven and hell that would allow him to have the best dreams known to mankind.
“DRAKE?” SHE WHISPERED quietly.
He smiled in the dim glow of morning. Karen’s hand rested on his chest, her red hair teased his nose, he was enveloped in the scent of honeysuckle. She pressed the softest of kisses against his heart, and he thought it might beat right out of his chest. Her lips trailed more kisses through his chest hair and he heard her breathe in and then sigh.
“Quit playing possum.”
“Shhh, I’m trying to sleep.”
“You woke up the second I did. You always do,” she said in her husky morning voice.
She had a point. Of course if he didn’t, he’d make a piss poor SEAL. He tangled his fingers through the silk of her hair and tugged. He brought her lips to his. Heat exploded between them. It was a dark magic that had only happened in her arms, he would never be able to get enough of this woman. Drake rolled Karen onto her back and thrust his tongue deep, needing to taste, to dominate, to claim. She made a keening sound and he arched backwards.
Her Treasured SEAL Page 19
