“Well, now that you mention it, she was a little unpleasant.” Sarah smiled tentatively. Anxious to change the subject, she had dozens of questions and needed answers. Since Vince was smoking, she pulled out a cigarette, too. He flipped open a Zippo and Sarah took a long drag as she tried to gather her thoughts enough to form coherent questions.
“So, those times I saw you at Pure, you were on the job, following me?”
“Nope. Just lucky. My team needs the kind of woman who can walk into the best club in town like she owns the placeand then you walked in. The fact that you stood up to Lori put you over the top in the interview process. Honestly, I didn’t even recognize you at the club. You clean up pretty good. After that, we checked out your background and decided we wanted to take you on if you could pass the final test.”
“The dump and jump.”
“Yeah, that’s what it was, too.” Vince gave a deep chuckle. “You were great though. I’ve got to admit I was pretty impressed that you pulled it together and went clubbing afterwards.”
Sarah thrilled at the praise laid on her by Vince but did her best to appear cool. She flicked an ash out the truck window. “Hey, thanks for the drink, by the way.”
“You earned it.”
“So, what exactly am I going to be doing on this mission?” Sarah finally asked.
“This op is what we call a Honey Pot operation. You’re going to go in as Tony’s girlfriend, make nice with Hassan and get names and faces so we can map out the organization.”
Sarah turned and stared at Vince. “Honey Pot sounds like I’m expected to make extremely nice. Is that about right?”
They came to the end of the dirt road and were about to turn onto the highway toward Vegas. Vince stopped the truck and put it in park. He turned sideways in the seat and stared at her. “Only as nice as you’re comfortable with, but making real nice helps. You’re a bright babe. You know damned well why it’s called a Honey Pot. We wanted you on our team because you came highly recommended as a good soldier, a negotiator and a linguist and, quite frankly, we all agreed you’re damned easy on the eyes. But if we’d wanted a hooker, we’d have hired a professional. That being said, there are just some secrets a man will spill easier under the spell of a beautiful woman than looking down the barrel of a gun.” Vince straightened in his seat, stared down the empty highway, put the truck in gear and drove.
Sarah cheeks warmed. “It’s been a while since I’ve been accused of being beautiful. It still sounds funny.”
“Well, get used to it because you are a stone-cold hottie. On that note…you’re not going to get special treatment just because you’re a woman. We expect you to pull your share. As you’ve seen, the guys aren’t exactly the most politically correct lot. Will was Navy, Brian was a SEAL, Jason was in the Army and Chris is on loan from the FBI. If you’re the type that offends easily, you’ll never make it in this business.”
“And what are you?”
“Marines. Force Recon until the Agency recruited me.”
“Well, I don’t mind a little joking around. I usually give as good as I get. As for everybody’s background, I’m feeling a little out of my league amidst so many heroes.”
“Hey, hold on a sec. You don’t have to be spec ops to be a hero. Anybody can be a hero, but few ever choose to do so. Being a hero means sticking your neck out for a good cause and standing for what you believe in. Everyone we have fighting in this war is a hero, whether they’re on the front lines or in the rear with the gear. They’re a part of it just like you are now. Everyone has their own calling, their own skills. It’s the ones who choose to take those skills and use them to make this world a safer place that are the heroes. Now what are you going to be?”
Nobody ever expected me to do anything great. This could be just that.
Sarah came back to reality and realized Vince was watching her expectantly. “I’m with you guys.”
He chuckled and pointed to the rows of cars. “Okay, hero. Now which car is yours?”
Sarah turned away from Vince for the first time since they’d left the camp and realized they were already at the airport. “White Wrangler at the end of this row.”
Vince turned to smile at Sarah and then nodded toward the Jeep. “Cute. You know if you feed it well and give it plenty of water it just might grow up to be a real truck.”
Sarah smiled at Vince. “Hey, it’s not the size of the truck but the skills of the driver that count.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “You really believe that?”
Sarah nodded. “Absolutely.”
Vince took the bait. “I’m a firm believer in size backed up with plenty of skill.”
Sarah was getting way too turned on by the innuendo, she took a deep breath. “I’m sure you are.” As she climbed out of Vince’s truck, he handed her a business card. It had a printed phone number on one side and an address written on the back.
“Don’t lose that. You run into trouble anywhere or anytime, you call me at that number. Brian’s address is on the back. Show up around fifteen-hundred. We’re going to barbeque and have a few drinks. It’ll give you a chance to get to know the boys a little before we start working together. Bring a suit. He’s got a great pool.”
“Okay, will do. Thanks for the ride.” Sarah grinned and started folding the soft top down on her Jeep. It was looking like it would be a really nice day. Then, his last words rang inside her mind and made her blood run cold.
Me in a bathing suit in front of all those gorgeous men? Oh, God. I think I’m going to be sick!
Sarah spent four hours shopping for a bathing suit. It took her two hours to muster the courage to walk into a dressing room and try one on. When she tried on her usual size eighteen in a one-piece, it suddenly hit her she wasn’t “Fat Sarah” anymore. She kept trying smaller sizes until she finally found one that fit. It was a size eight. Then, emboldened by the single digits, she started trying on bikinis. She finally settled on a bikini from Victoria’s Secret. She felt goose bumps rise in a wave up her arms. She covered her mouth to muffle a gasp as she looked at herself in the mirror.
I’m gorgeous!
By the time she’d finished at Victoria’s Secret, it was already two-thirty in the afternoon. She stopped at a liquor store on the way and then drove to Brian’s house. Lesson number one from her Air Force days was to never show up at a barbeque without booze.
Chapter Sixteen
Sarah pulled into the driveway of the address Vince had given her. The driveway represented every testosterone junky’s dream. There was Vince’s truck, a red BMW coupe, a Harley V-Rod that looked to be more chrome than anything, a forest green Range Rover and a silver Corvette convertible.
Oh, yeah, I’ve definitely got the right house.
The house itself was very nice by Vegas standards. A huge two-story, sand-colored, Mediterranean style home with an attached three-car garage on a double lot. As though Sarah wasn’t intimidated enough by the fact that most of them were seasoned soldiers and agents, the house and the cars made her feel way out of her element.
After all, she was still homeless and lucky to be making her Jeep payments. The depressing thoughts weighed heavy on her. She had no idea where she’d sleep at night until they left on the mission.
I got a good pay advance. I can always stay at a hotel for a few weeks. Oh well, I’ll think about that later. I’ve got a house full of men waiting for me.
Sarah shouldered the case of Corona and grabbed her bag complete with bathing suit and a bottle of Jose Cuervo and walked up to the front door. She knocked but there was no answer. She tried the bell and heard it ring. This time voices inside shouted, “Come in!” in unison, so she opened the door.
“Hello?” She peeked inside to see five grown men surrounding a massive flat screen television, playing a video game.
“Hey! Sarah’s here.”
“’Sup, girl.”
“Come on in.”
“Hiya.”
The one voice she coul
d place rumbled a simple, “Hey, babe, beer’s in the fridge. Get me one while you’re up?”
Any woman who hadn’t spent the last eight years with Air Force cops would have been offended, but that sort of talk just made Sarah feel welcome. “Rank has its privileges. Anybody else want one?” She placed the case and the bottle of tequila on the bar that separated the kitchen from the living room area.
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Me, too.”
“No takers. Thanks.”
She rounded the bar and removed two cold beers from the refrigerator and popped the caps. She took a swig out of one and handed the other to Vince. She watched the carnage on the television. They played a battle game. The scene was reminiscent of a street in the Middle East and they were tearing it up.
Big boys and their big toys. They’re not much different than Air Force cops after all.
The tall, dark haired one that had introduced himself as Brian glanced over quickly. “Come on in and have a seat. Sorry, I don’t have any fruit for the beer.”
“You don’t put floaters in your Budweiser, why would you do it to a Corona?”
She didn’t see who said it, but somebody mumbled, “She knows the Man Laws. I’m definitely warming up to the girl.”
Sarah smiled and took a seat on the couch near Brian. She picked up the game box on the coffee table and read it.
She laughed out loud. “Task Force 121? Oh, you have got to be kidding me!”
Will responded but never took his eyes off the television. “Yeah, I know. Funny, huh? At least in this game we can kill indiscriminately. Check this out.”
“God damnit, Will.” Brian threw himself backwards onto the overstuffed couch as his player died from not so friendly fire.
“Isn’t it time you got the grill going?” Will asked pointedly.
Brian got over his disappointment. “Yeah, I am pretty hungry.”
The blond who had flirted with Sarah during the briefing turned to Brian. “Yeah, get in the kitchen and cook me some food, bitch.”
Jason, the weapons guy, spoke up. “All right, that’s all I can take of this game. These weapons suck. A real Mark-19 gets 350 rounds a minute. I’m lucky to get forty on this piece of shit. I’ve seen better graphics, too.”
“Yeah, I’m out,” Vince said. “Got that grill going yet?”
“Hey, I don’t see you doing anything, leatherneck,” Brian retorted.
Sarah turned to Brian. “I didn’t know if I should bring anything. Should I make a salad or something?”
Brian stared at her and smiled as he stood. “Salad’s what food eats. You’re always welcome with beef or alcohol.” He pointed to the case of beer she left on the bar. “And a case of Corona with a bottle of tequila on top will buy you a bed in this house. There’s room in the fridge if you want to chill that beer.”
Vince piped up. “Hey now, don’t be giving my bed away.”
Sarah started emptying the case and put the Coronas in the refrigerator, which contained several cases of assorted beers, a few fifths of tequila and several packages of steaks.
“Okay, half a bed.” Brian winked at Sarah. “I’ll share mine. It’s a nice big one. You’ll love it.”
Will turned to Sarah and rolled his eyes. “Don’t pay any attention to him. It’s his nature to try to score with every female he comes in contact with. Nature of the beast. You’ll be staying in my room. Jason and I will bunk up in his room tonight.”
Sarah wasn’t quite sure what was going on. “Oh, that’s okay, I saw a hotel just a couple miles back.”
Will wagged his index finger at Sarah. “No, no, no. We’re drinking tonight. You aren’t going anywhere. Brian has got more beds in this place than the Chicken Ranch. My room is clean. I even changed the sheets for you.”
Sarah gave Will a nod. “Well, thanks.” She glanced around the room. “Do you all live here?”
Vince turned his head to face Sarah as he finished his beer. “Brian owns the house. Will and Jason rent the spare bedrooms. I’ve got the couch on a temporary basis thanks to my currently inhospitable home life. Chris has an apartment on a golf course somewhere. Where is that place, Chris?”
“Players Club. In Henderson.”
Vince took a swig of his beer. “We all stay here when we drink. It’s safer that way. We don’t need anybody getting picked up by the local cops. It just pisses them off when they can’t touch us.”
“What do you mean?” Sarah made her way back to the couch and sat.
“You’re invisible now, babe. Sure, you’ve still got ID but when the cops run it through the National Crime Information Center, like they do all traffic stops, they get a Do Not Detain order, a phone number and a code to call with. They hate that shit.”
“Yeah, they do.” Jason giggled, flashing his wicked grin.
“Yeah, you need to stop provoking those guys with your bike, man,” Will said sternly. “One of these days a bunch of off duty cops are going to kick your ass. And then we’re going to have to take care of them. You know how I hate digging holes in the desert, man.”
What?
Chris walked out of the kitchen with two bottles of cold Corona from the refrigerator. He swapped one for the empty bottle in Sarah’s hand. “He’s just kidding, Sarah.”
“Am I?” The dark eyebrows over Will’s stunning blue eyes were raised in question. He really was a handsome man, but there was something very dangerous about him.
Chris changed the subject. “So, Sarah, did you bring a suit or are we skinny-dipping?”
Sarah’s cheeks warmed. “I’ve got a suit.”
“Bummer. Well, go put it on, girl.” Chris pointed down the hallway. “Let’s see what Hassan’s going to come up against on that yacht of his.”
Sarah was afraid she might have faded out during the morning briefing. “What yacht?”
Chris scowled. “Guess I didn’t brief you on that yet. You’re going to be a guest on Hassan’s yacht. Tony’s social secretary is working out the details now. We’ll get you all the pertinent information when we nail it down.”
“Oh, okay.” Sarah took a drink from her beer. “Where can I change?”
“Down the hall. First door on the right. That’s your room. Don’t mind the camera. The green light means it’s off.” Will’s blue eyes glimmered with mischief.
Dangerous but charming.
“I’ll be sure to give it my best side.”
“I don’t know, honey, they all look pretty good to me.”
Sarah grabbed her bag off the bar and walked into Will’s room to change. She couldn’t help but be impressed. A valet stand with a pant presser stood between the walk in closet and the bathroom. The jacket and tie that obviously went with the slacks and shirt he currently wore hung from the stand.
Few men take such good care of their clothes. Much less an obviously straight guy.
Sarah put on her bathing suit and peered at herself in the full-length mirror. It was a beautiful dust-free mahogany mirror but more noticeable was the reflection staring back at her. She felt extremely self conscious in her bathing suit and second guessed her impulse to buy the bikini. The sarong didn’t cover or help much either.
Well, I guess it’s time to have my first public showing.
She downed the rest of her beer and placed the bottle in the nearby trash can that contained a dry cleaner’s receipt and some collar stays. She steeled herself and walked out to the living room where several of the guys already had their shirts off and were packing a cooler to keep by the pool.
Brian stood at the bar seasoning steaks for the grill and let out a long low wolf whistle as she walked out.
Jason stood from where he was hunched over the cooler. “Oh, damn me straight to hell!”
Vince turned around and his jaw dropped.
Chris stretched his arms out wide. “Come to papa.”
Sarah felt on edge now and tried to cover herself. “You guys are fucking with me, right? What’s wrong?”
“I can’t find one thing wrong with that picture.” Chris leaned against the wall and stared at Sarah. “Turn around. I’ll keep looking for it if you like.”
Will hadn’t moved from the easy chair he’d been in when Sarah arrived. He continued to puff on his cigar and appeared the picture of cool. “Now, boys.” He stood and punctuated by pointing his cigar at Sarah. “This is definitely the camp’s finest production yet.” Then he walked back toward his bedroom. “Nice work, pork chop. Very nice.”
Vince shook his head. “Poor bastard. Hassan doesn’t stand a chance.” He immediately turned and headed out the sliding glass door to the pool area. Over his shoulder, he yelled, “Brian, I hope that pool is cold.”
“Oh, hell yeah!” Jason said as he and Chris quickly followed Vince out the door, loaded cooler in tow between them.
Will came out of his room with swim shorts on and walked straight out the door to the pool.
Sarah stared at Brian who still worked in the kitchen. “They’re messing with me, right?”
Brian looked up at Sarah and tilted his head. “We’re going to be working pretty closely together. Can I be honest with you?”
Sarah leaned on the bar. “I wish you would.”
I knew I should have bought the one piece.
“Darlin’, let me save you the trouble of looking in the mirror. You are F-I-N-E, fine. If you weren’t already on this team, every guy here would be all over you. We’d be pooling money for the first to score. Matter of fact, you’re the sweetest piece of eye candy this house has ever seenand I don’t mind saying that it has seen a lot.”
Sarah sighed.
I’ve got to get over myself. I’m not fat Sarah any more.
She was so relieved that she walked up to Brian and kissed him on the cheek. “That’s the nicest thing anybody ever said to me.” She grabbed the tequila bottle and walked toward the sliding glass door. Some of the finest men she’d ever seen were already topless out there.
Oh, yeah. This is definitely going to be a good night. All this and a big fat paycheck, too. When life is good, it is very good.
The Path to Freedom (Task Force 125) Page 10
