Survive The Fall (Dark Eagle Book 1)

by Julia Bright

  “You know with this getup, people will remember us.”

  “There are three point five million people in the city. There are a few hundred on this ship. No one will remember us. Once we arrive, we'll be heading to the hotel. I have my meeting later in the evening then we'll be going home.”

  “So the day we arrive, that's when your meeting is. What would you have done if travel had been delayed?”

  “No clue, but the person I'm meeting with had their plans change so I have to go when they can meet with me.”

  “So no sightseeing?” he asked.

  “No. The meeting, and then we're gone.”

  He nodded, thinking this was a doozy of a meeting if she was traveling halfway across the globe for it. He hoped it was profitable for her.

  “So while you're at this meeting, what am I supposed to do?”

  “You'll think of something, I'm sure.”

  He nodded but couldn't keep quiet. “I should go with you.”

  She shook her head. “No, it would only mess things up.”

  There was no way he would let her out of his sight. He wished he could figure out what she had planned. Though she was nervous, she didn't babble. Instead, she stayed way too quiet for his taste.

  After a moment she stepped away from the railing and nodded to him. “I'm going below.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “You don't have to follow me here. We're on a ship, I'm safe.”

  He chuckled. “I doubt that. Every man on this ship was watching you.”

  “Don't exaggerate.”

  He rolled his eyes behind her. She had no clue. “I'll follow you down and then once you're in the room for good, I'll grab a drink and give you time to change.”

  “This is ridiculous.”

  He put his hand on her shoulder, stopping her progress. “I'm here to protect you. I'm not here to play around. If you didn't want me to provide security, you shouldn't have asked me to tag along.”

  Anger flitted across her features before she squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes. “Okay. Follow me if you must.”

  Doing private security sucked for this exact reason. In the military, if he told someone to do something, his commands would be followed. Out here, people thought they had a choice. He guessed Kel had options, but she was paying him for a reason. Now, he needed to figure out what that reason was.

  With her tucked in for the night, he headed up for a drink. The bar was small, and few people were drinking. Alone with his thoughts, he couldn't help but remember that night with his angel. She'd been so hurt, vulnerable, and he'd drawn on that. Their moods had matched that night, maybe even helping him heal. He'd needed the mindless screw, the touch of her hands, the way she'd looked at him. Though they'd never met before, they'd connected.

  Now he was here in the Mediterranean Sea, wondering what the hell she was up to. When she'd hired him, he'd searched the internet for everything about her. He knew enough to use a Tor browser, but he wasn't a computer genius, so he didn't find much.

  Her name was Kelsey, that much he knew. He also had found out that she’d buried her brother, father, and her grandfather in the same week. The woman had been hurting when he'd met her. He didn't want her to have to relive that pain, but he wished she'd lean on him a little. She was up there asleep in that cabin, and he wanted to be with her. But not once in his life had he ever talked a woman into sex. He wasn't like that. If she didn't want to get busy, he would walk. Kel had made it clear she wasn't willing to have more than a professional relationship.

  He didn't like calling her Kel. It made her sound like a guy. He got that she was trying to keep him at arm's length, but he wanted intimacy with her.

  After finishing his scotch, he decided it was time to turn in for the evening. She was lying in bed, making no noise, but he could tell she wasn't asleep. He took off his shirt and pants before he pulled on a pair of shorts and climbed up to the top bunk, adjusting twice as he tried to get comfortable. He failed because the bed was designed to fit a child, not a man his size.

  It took him a while to drift off. Images of his angel filled his dreams. It wasn't any wonder he woke with a world-class boner.

  He rolled out of bed and stared at her for a brief second before heading to the bathroom to wash. When he stepped back into the room, he found Kel awake. She was pulling clothes out of her bag. She glanced over her shoulder at him, annoyance flitting across her face.

  “I hope you got enough sleep.” Her words were clipped and full of agitation.

  “I did,” he said with a smile as he kept his voice light. Her snippy tone wouldn't bait him. They were headed to an area with a different culture than she was used to, and they were going into a city where terrorists thrived. His senses heightened, and the hair on the back of his neck stood out. The inside of his brain itched, which was never a good sign.

  In the military, hurry-up and wait days were the worst. They'd be ready to blast a guy, but the brass would tell them they had to hold off. He never had wanted to wait. He always wanted to jump in and start things to rolling. This felt like one of those hurry-up and wait days.

  Kel was wearing a pair of light colored pants and a blue tunic. He hoped she knew what she was doing. Maybe this wouldn't turn out to be as big of a cluster as he thought it would be.

  “You ready for breakfast?” Kel asked.

  “Sure.”

  They headed to the dining room and ordered food. A lot of people were itching to off-load the boat early, but he sensed a hesitancy from Kel. She didn't talk while they ate. When it was time to leave, she met his gaze and held it for a moment. She almost looked to be begging for his help, but she hadn't told him what she was doing, so there wasn't any way for him to know how to help.

  The port was teaming with activity, and he was on heightened alert. Kel gave him the address in the taxi line, and he told it to the driver. The city was a mass of small streets, people, and colorful shops. Kel didn't seem to be paying attention to any of it.

  The taxi dropped them out front of a hotel which he found acceptable but not great. He didn't like the location most of all. This wasn't an Americanized hotel like he'd expected her to stay in. This was a place where some locals may stay. It made him nervous.

  Their room was ready when they arrived. He was a little disappointed to find they had a suite and wouldn't be sleeping in the same room.

  “I'll be in my room until my meeting tonight,” Kel said.

  “Are you sure you don't want to go to the market? It's not too far.” She turned, her eyes narrowed as she stared at him. He continued before she had a chance to say anything more. “We need to eat. We could find a café in the area.”

  After a moment's hesitation, she finally nodded. “Fine, but we won't stay out long.”

  Satisfaction filled him. It wasn't a huge victory, but it was enough.

  “Be ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”

  Kel changed into darker pants and looked subdued when she came out of her room. She wouldn't meet his gaze, and he worried that whatever she had planned it wasn't good.

  They used a taxi to drive over to the market. When they stepped out of the vehicle, the sights and sounds were almost as colorful as the smells. Kel curled her nose, which caused him to laugh.

  “It's the meat,” he said.

  “The scent is overpowering.”

  “Taste good though.”

  “You've had it?”

  “Not in this market, but yes, I've had the meat. It’s good.”

  “I'll stick with something else.”

  “Suit yourself.” He followed her around, looking at everything from produce to silk scarves and carpet.

  Kel looked stiff and was walking like she had a purpose instead of like she was shopping. He moved closer to her, talking low.

  “Loosen up,” he said.

  “What? I'm loose.”

  “You're kidding, right? People are watching.”

  She stopped and narrowed her gaze. “W
ho is watching?”

  “No one specific, but if you think they don't have someone scoping us out, you're crazy. American women don't come here often, and if they do, they shop. If you bypass all the booths and don't look interested, someone will think you're up to something bad.”

  Her eyes narrowed before she blew out a breath and then turned. She had a smile on her face now, and she stopped at booths, but she obviously wasn't interested. When she stopped at a booth with a rainbow of scarves, the look in her eyes changed. She picked up a blue scarf that looked so thin it was almost transparent. The look of wonder on her face was nearly addictive.

  “How much?” Adam said. He spoke in English though he also spoke the native tongue. He understood more than he spoke, so when the shopkeeper said they were dirty Americans and to charge them twice as much, he had to fight the urge to call them out. For some reason, he didn't want them to know he understood their words.

  The woman threw out an amount and Kel looked like she was about to accept the number when Adam shook his head.

  “No, too much,” Adam barked.

  Kel's head whipped around, her eyes drilling into him. He gave her a quick smile before turning back to the woman who ran the shop.

  “Half what you said.” Adam knew the woman wouldn't drop the price by half, but she'd bring it down. Sure enough, he haggled her to just a little above half what she asked. The scarf saleswoman looked smug. He didn't care. His secret was still safe, and Kel had a beautiful scarf.

  They were about a block away when she started talking. “It was worth what she asked.”

  “Maybe in the USA, but not here.”

  “Next time, just let me pay what they ask.”

  He thought about countering her, but he didn't want to argue. The day was beautiful, and he enjoyed her company. He also wanted to find out what type of meeting she had later this evening. So far, he had no clue what she was planning on doing or who she'd be meeting with. Had it been anyone else other than Kel, he wouldn't have taken this job. There were too many things that could go wrong, and the headache almost wasn’t worth the money. He had to keep in mind the plot of land he wanted to purchase.

  He wasn’t really sure why he was here. Kelsey didn’t want his help, but she wanted him to keep her safe. He’d gamble that this meeting she had planned wasn’t on the up and up.

  After eating at a little café, they headed back to the hotel for the afternoon prayer time. Adam explained to Kel that no one would be out, and it would look odd if they were walking around during the call to prayers.

  “So basically the town stops?” Kel asked.

  “Not the whole town, just enough to make us look out of place. We can nap and go out later if you like.”

  “I need to prepare for my meeting, anyway.”

  “Where are you meeting?”

  “That isn't necessary for you to know.” He was about to open his mouth when she held up her hand. “The meeting will be fast. There is no reason for you to go with me.”

  Frustration ground through him. What he wouldn't tell her was he had no intention of staying behind. She'd just have to deal with him following her around. Something was off, and he wanted to find out what.

  9

  The trip to Algiers had gone as she expected, well, except the tension of having Brick around all the time. The man drove her crazy. She had to force thoughts of him away so many times it was outrageous. Brick was crazy sexy and trying to interject himself into her business, which was entirely out of the question. She needed him to get her out of here once she killed the man who'd ordered the terrorist action that had destroyed her family.

  She'd disguised the poison in her perfume bottle. Going through airport security had been terrifying. Fear of TSA finding the poison had almost paralyzed her. She would go to jail if they caught her. Heck if Brick figured out what she had planned, it would all be over. She had to kill this guy. If she didn't kill him now, she might not have another chance.

  They were in their hotel room when the loudspeakers started. She jumped, but Brick didn't seem affected at all.

  After a moment, she headed to the bathroom and locked the door, pulling out her toiletry bag, latex gloves, and the poison. There was a knock on the door, and she froze.

  “Yes?” she called out.

  “I'll order us in some tea. Does that sound good?”

  Kelsey thought about telling him she didn't want tea, but she would need something to eat before she headed out to the restaurant to kill Zaeim. “Yes, that's fine.”

  “Good. Do you need anything now?”

  She stared at her reflection in the mirror, trying to not freak out about what she was doing. “No, I'm going to wash then nap.”

  “Okay, I'll see you in a bit.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief then went back to the poison, setting up the small vial in the wrist carrier she'd constructed out of leather. If she failed, she would dishonor the memories of her father and brother. She couldn't have that happen.

  As the prayers were ending, she stretched out on the bed, thinking she'd just lay there for a few minutes. That wasn't the case. When Brick woke her, the sun had already switched around, and the patio outside her room was deep in shadows.

  “What time is it?” she asked as she stretched.

  “Six.”

  “What?” she shrieked. “Crap. I thought you said you'd wake me up at three.”

  “I tried. You locked the door, and I had to find something to pick the lock with.”

  How could she have slept this late? “Shit. I overslept. Is it really six?”

  He nodded, his expression serious. “Yes.”

  “Shit, shit, shit.” She jumped up, her hands shaking. The pressure in her chest and her head intensified. She had twenty minutes to make it to the restaurant. Brick was still in her room as she raced into the bathroom. She pulled on her clothes, black this time, and grabbed the wristband, securing it in place with the poison in the vial at her wrist. Had she not already set that up, she'd be screwed.

  She rushed out to the main room of the hotel and didn't see Brick at all. At least he wouldn't ask to go with her. Before she stepped out into the hall, she smoothed her hands down her pants, wiping away the dampness on her palms.

  Thankfully, the walk to the restaurant was fast. The main entrance was well lit, but the back entrance where she would sneak in and pretend to be a worker was dark. She stopped in the alley and wiped her hand over her face. The restaurant had windows on this side, allowing her to see into the space lit with candles and yellow lights. It seemed like a nice restaurant. The atmosphere was like restaurants where she lived, but this place catered to terrorists who thought nothing of destroying lives.

  A light flicked on, and she flinched. A group of people was led into the space. They spoke amongst themselves before moving to a table covered with a blue tablecloth. The door opened again, and she froze. It was Abdul Basir Zaeim. She'd studied his face long enough to recognize him on sight. Pure hate for the man who'd destroyed her family rolled over her. She wanted him dead, now. Her heart raced, and her blood boiled. A loud rage-filled roar stuffed her ears. Maybe that was why she didn't hear the person sneaking up on her until his hand was over her mouth.

  She wanted to scream, but he pulled her closer, his hand cut off any sound she made. The guy was huge, and though she'd been practicing karate and tai chi, there was no way she'd be able to break this man's hold.

  “Don't move.”

  She paused and then shook her head. Had this guy actually spoken? She stilled, forcing a calm that wanted to slip through her fingers.

  “Listen, Angel, I don't know what you're about to do, but sneaking around an alley in the dead of night here in Algiers is dangerous.” She bent her arm and jabbed him in the ribs. He let out a breath then chuckled. “Good one, darling, but not enough. How about we head back to the hotel and we can discuss what you were going to do?”

  Tears filled her eyes. Her anger rose because she didn't want to cry
. Her plans would fail now. This man was screwing up everything. She shouldn't have asked for anyone to travel with her. Coming here alone would have been better.

  She spun and found herself plastered against Brick's solid chest. A scream lodged in her throat but stuck when she saw the panicked look on his face.

  He leaned in, and his lips were by her ear. “Tell me what you're doing.”

  “I need to get in there.”

  “Why. Into that room?” Brick stilled, his gaze on the window for the room where Abdul Basir Zaeim sat.

  She glanced over her shoulder, her hate for the man growing. Zaeim had destroyed so many lives. So what if she died, as long as she got to kill Zaeim, it would be worth it.

  “What is going on in that room?” Brick asked.

  “You wouldn't understand.”

  “Try me,” he challenged her.

  “Just let me go. I need to do something.”

  “Be quiet. I'm guessing you don't want attention and if we talk louder, someone will notice us.”

  She drew in a shaky breath, trying to calm. Brick had to let her go. She'd never have another chance to kill Zaeim. “I have to do something.” Desperation made her hands tremble. She had to clench her fist to get the shaking to stop. Then she wanted to beat them against his chest and scream at him.

  “What? Tell me,” his voice was insistent.

  “You really wouldn't understand.”

  “Listen, darling, I'd probably understand whatever you had to say. I'm not stupid. If you go in there and do something to that group of men, you'll be dead.”

  She huffed out a breath. “It's not the group, just one.”

  Brick met her gaze then leaned in close again. “Tell me what is going on.”

  Her anger had risen to an all-time high. She wanted to unload on Adam, but he was right, they didn't need the attention of her screaming and ranting.