by Liliana Hart
“Huh,” Riley said, scratching the stubble on his face. “So you think I need a parachute?”
“Only if you want to do it twice,” Cocker said, laughing.
Brady was anxious about pitting his family against his SEAL brothers. Although it wasn’t a competition, no outing with the MacKenzie men ever ended without one. He knew the SEALs would soon join in.
“Riley, I thought you were off in no-man’s-land with some university-funded dig site?” Brady asked.
“I was. But the grant ended, and so did the university’s enthusiasm for studying twelfth century sources of social media.”
“I guess Maggie was glad to have you back.”
“Not really. She was looking forward to traveling out there to stay a month. I’ll surprise her with a trip to make up for this.”
“For this? Don’t you mean that?” Brady asked.
“Nope,” Riley said, grinning unrepentantly. “I’m supposed to be cleaning out the attic. Can you imagine being up in that attic in July? She must want me dead or something.”
“All right, men,” Brady said. “Gather around. Except for you, Riley. Go put some damned pants on, dude.”
Everyone laughed and Riley shot them the middle finger before dropping his towel right there and grabbing his clothes.
Brady rolled his eyes and clapped his hands together to get their attention. “There will be multiple jumps this afternoon. Skies are crystal clear and winds are negligible. I thought we were going to have two more.” Brady scanned the lobby area and peered outside.
“Looking for us?” Grant Boone’s booming voice resonated from behind Brady.
“Ladies,” Cooper said to Archer and Grant as they came into the locker room.
Brady was glad to see Archer was feeling better after the day before, and he looked alert and ready to roll. Archer wasn’t military, but instead served the country as a CIA covert operative. It was while he’d worked as a spook that he and Declan had met and became best friends. His wife, Audrey, was former Mossad for the Israeli government, and the truth was, she was possibly as good if not better trained as a tactical operator than anyone in the room.
“Grant, you’re from Detroit,” Riley said with a smirk. “What the hell do you know about skydiving?”
The big, bearded badass from Motor City stood rigid. Dressed in tattered black, square-toed motorcycle boots, diesel-stained denims, and a ratty old flannel shirt, he flashed a toothy grin.
“Not a damned thing,” Grant said.
Donald “Duck” Jones, another of Brady’s men, looked at him with disbelief. “Grant Boone?” he asked suspiciously. “You that guy who singlehandedly took down the cartel in Detroit?”
“Yeah, why?” Grant towered over the SEAL.
Duck smiled and extended his hand. “Just wanted to say thanks. That’s my hometown hellhole. You did a great job.”
They shook hands.
“A lot of good it did me.”
“I know you lost your job or quit or something like that, but us folks who lived there know what went down. We do owe you. I can’t wait to tell my folks we jumped together.”
“I really appreciate you saying that,” Grant said sincerely.
“All right, let’s focus. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and the faster we start, the more jumps we’ll get in,” Brady announced over the chatter.
“Work?” Duck shrugged. “I ain’t here for work, LT.”
“Play,” Brady corrected and then laughed. “Play.”
“More like it. I’m on vacation,” Jonas Samuel replied.
He was the third and oldest member of Brady’s SEAL team who had accompanied him to Surrender, Montana, to enjoy a bit of R&R. Brady always felt a disconnect between them. He’d served under Shane for many years, and Brady sensed Samuel had never transitioned with the new leadership.
“Y’all get your packs together and I’ll find Mira.”
“Mira Black, the Marine Corps pilot?” Duck asked.
“One and the same,” Archer replied.
“Damn, she’s fine.”
Brady held his palms up. “Keep your flight suit zipped up, Duck. Focus on the jump.”
He walked toward the door that led to the tarmac and into the blistering heat. The sun bounced off the concrete and burned the rubber of his soles. It was a perfect day, and he couldn’t wait to get in the air.
Mira was doing a final check of the plane, and he felt the anticipation of the coming adrenaline rush coursing through his veins.
“What’s our ETA, Mira?”
.Her head snapped up and her brow creased in surprise.
“Something wrong?” Brady asked.
“Why are y’all here? You didn’t get the change of flight plans and pilot? Elena said she would take care of letting you know. I thought you’d given your approval.”
“Why would I do that?” he asked, confused. “I scheduled this weeks ago. And I haven’t seen Elena since earlier. What’s going on? Is there an issue with the plane?”
“No, it’s…Elena,” Mira said. “I’m sorry, man. She requested a flight. Said it was really important. More of a therapeutic emergency after all the shit that happened with the group in Somalia. I felt bad for her, so I told her I’d fly her to Mexico. I knew there was a jump scheduled for this afternoon, but I was able to get Rudy to trade off with me. I didn’t figure Elena would be comfortable with Rudy flying her all the way to Mexico.”
“Why the hell does she want to go to Mexico?” he asked, feeling the heat rise from below his unzipped collar. It wasn’t because of the July weather
“She said it was personal,” Mira said, shrugging. “She just needs to go home for a while. Get away from everything that’s going on here.”
His jaw was like a piece of granite, his teeth clenched tightly together. “Do me a favor and go ahead and take the boys up. I’m going to find Elena and figure out what the hell is going on. I’ll get back to you.”
“If you ask me, the girl’s got trouble. She’s scared and she’s trying to rabbit. Better tread lightly. She’s resourceful.”
Brady nodded and headed toward one of the golf carts.
Chapter Six
Elena didn’t expect to return. It was a suicide mission, plain and simple. But it was worth the sacrifice if she was able to save Marguerite from the horrors she’d experienced.
She grabbed only a small bag, but would still have to get through TSA and then customs in Mexico. She knew scrutiny wasn’t as tight on private jets, but there were still items required to pretend she was on vacation.
It wasn’t as though she’d parachute into the jungle just outside of Calakmul. Brady and Declan, maybe. But not her. The wall clock showed she had less than fifteen minutes to meet Mira. Elena flopped onto her cozy, oversized bed one last time and closed her eyes, trying to get her thoughts together.
“Jesus, help me,” she said.
“I’m glad you’re at least clueing him in on what the hell you’re doing.”
“Brady,” she said, rolling to her feet. “You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing here?”
Brady unzipped the olive-drab-colored flight suit as he approached her. It was pocked with sweat, and she could see he was already angry.
“Don’t worry about what I’m doing. Where do you think you’re going in my plane?”
“Your plane? Oh, so I no longer have access to air transportation?” Elena rolled her neck, preparing herself for the confrontation.
“All of a sudden you have important business in Mexico?” He pushed the dark lensed sunshades back through his shaggy blond hair. “I’m calling bullshit. You’ve decided to get in the middle of whatever is going on with those texts. And I’m not going to let you.”
“You can call bullshit all you want, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is none of your business.”
“You know as well as I do that I can make sure you don’t go anywhere on that plane.”
“Then you can go straight to hel
l, Brady Scott,” she said, more calmly than she felt. “Because I’m going to do exactly what I want to do.”
He looked stunned.
“Maybe so,” he said. “But whatever it is you’re about to get into isn’t going to be on my watch. You can be mad all you want, but at least you’ll be alive.”
“You can’t stop me from leaving.” She swung her purse at him. Brady leaned back, though it was nowhere near striking him. “I’m not your prisoner.”
“You’re free to leave any time you wish, but not in that plane. You can walk to Mexico as far as I’m concerned.”
Elena snatched up her shoulder bag and stormed past Brady.
“Fine.”
“Yeah, fine. Have a nice walk. It’s only two thousand miles.”
She spun back around and opened and closed her fists, still debating the merits of taking a swing at him.
“Why are you butting into my life?” she cried. “You keep spouting all that bullshit about being my friend, and this is how you treat me? You don’t even realize what you’re doing, but I can guarantee you you’re not being a friend. I need to leave here, and I need to leave now.”
Brady kept his distance. “I’m not treating you any way, Elena. I’m treating you the same way I’ve treated you since we first met. I’m protecting you, when you don’t have the sense or ability to do what’s best for yourself.” He took a step toward her. “Why don’t you trust me with whatever it is that has you acting like this? I hope you know you can count on me to keep it confidential.”
“I can’t. I have to go alone.”
She knuckled her wet eyes. Her shoulders shuddered with a few quick, intense sobs.
“Go where, Elena?”
“Brady, I can’t. They’ll kill her.”
The tears escaped then. She couldn’t hold them back. The reality of what was going to happen to Marguerite landed on her like cement. Hands trembled as she fell against Brady’s chest. She felt his hesitation but he quickly held her, whispering soft assurances as he comforted her.
“Please, Elena, let me help you,” he whispered against the top of her head.
She felt relief in his arms, and she knew she could trust Brady. That he was the one to help her save her niece.
“I’ve got to leave now, Brady. They’re waiting.” She moved toward the door.
“Elena, we’re back to square one. Unless it’s the cafeteria, you’re not getting anywhere fast. Why don’t you take five minutes and share with me what’s going on?”
He helped her back onto the bed. Elena handed him the cell phone device with the encrypted app accessed, and she felt the wind go out of her sails. She was exhausted after the events of the last few days. She collapsed in sheer emotional fatigue. It wasn’t until she lay still that the stitches in her chin and wrist began to throb again.
“Jesus, Elena,” he said. “You should have come to me immediately. To any of us. I’m so sorry, baby.”
There was a hardness in his eyes, but she wasn’t afraid of his anger. It was the cartel that should be afraid, because he looked like he was out for blood.
“No apologies,” she said. “It’s my fault. I should’ve never allowed her to remain in Mexico. I could’ve brought her here, but she seemed so happy at the convent. It’s what she wanted, and she was safe there. At least I thought she was.”
She felt Brady’s hand stroke the back of her head. Suprisingly, his touch didn’t send her scrambling across the room in a panic. She hated what the cartel had done to her and how it continued to affect her. But it would stop. Even if it cost her life.
“You could’ve never imagined the cartel would find her, much less that they’d know there was a connection between you two.” Brady lifted Elena’s shoulders to help her sit up. “Listen, let’s resolve this and get her back here. I need to know everything.”
Reluctantly, Elena collected herself and began the process of filling in the holes for Brady. She saw the sadness in his expression, but more importantly, she knew the wheels were turning. He’d have a plan devised before she finished her details. She trusted this honorable man. He was a warrior who’d faced and cheated death, but he was always kind, a gentleman with her. He deserved to be treated better than she had treated him.
“Brady, stop for a moment.”
“What? I thought time was running out.” His hands rubbed each other as thoughtful energy seemed to pulse through his body.
“This won’t take long.”
Elena sucked in a quick breath and felt fear wrestle with relief and anticipation. She reached across, her hands shaking, and placed her palms against the warm skin of his arm. It was as brave as she was able to get. Her gaze locked with his, and his eyes widened with surprise.
“I just wanted you to know I think you’re a good man,” she finally said. “I know I haven’t shown it. And I’m sorry.”
“You don’t ever have to be sorry, Elena. I’m a patient man. And despite the fact that you’ve built a shell of protection around you these last years, I can still see your heart. I’ve watched you train and learn how to fight. I’ve watched you sweat out your nightmares in the gym instead of trying to sleep. And I’ve watched you become an incredibly strong and determined woman who I admire more than anyone I’ve ever known. You’re beautiful, inside and out, and you’re the kind of woman who wants to do the right thing, and who never wants to see anyone suffer. It’s why you gave the information to Declan about the cartel years ago. Because it was the right thing to do.”
“And look who suffered for it,” she said, her smile sad.
“You suffered for it,” he said. “But you also survived despite the suffering. You’re a hell of a woman, Elena Nayal. And if we need to go kick the cartel’s ass and remind them that the MacKenzies don’t play, then that’s what we’ll do. And we’ll do it together.”
He leaned in and her eyes fluttered closed as his lips touched hers. It was sweet and simple—brief—but it opened up a window inside of her she thought had been nailed shut. And through that crack in the window was a gentle stirring of desire.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“Always,” she told him.
“Good, then trust me to get Marguerite out of there. I’ve got a few calls to make while you repack that skimpy bag. It’s got to look like we’re on a honeymoon. But don’t forget to pack clothes for the jungle along with your bikini,” he winked.
She felt the hitch of fear in her gut but pushed it aside. She could pretend to be Brady’s wife for a short time. She could get used to living in close quarters with him, having him touch her in public like husbands did with their wives.
“Done,” she told him.
“And do not lose that flash drive,” he said in all seriousness. “It’s not only the ticket to getting her out, but it’s got classified information on it.”
Elena scooted off the giant mattress and went about reorganizing her carry-on bag. She stopped to listen to Brady’s calls.
“Mira,” he said into the speakerphone. “We’re a go for Cancun. Go ahead and file a flight plan and fuel up. Tell the boys that Rudy will take them out for another jump since we need you.”
“Oh, are you?” Mira said silkily into the phone. “Maybe you need me enough to tell me why the hell y’all are running around like chickens with your heads cut off and trying to keep secrets from everyone. I’m assuming Declan is going to be okay with this? Not that I can ask him right now.”
Brady sighed. “He’ll be fine with it. We’ve got a strategy in place now. We’ll stop over at Miami International before hitting the Yucatan. Tell Archer he’s needed too.”
“Archer?” Elena asked, but Brady had already disconnected and was dialing again.
His next call was to Audrey, but they barely spoke for thirty seconds before disconnecting.
“Just like that?” she asked. “She agreed to come?”
Brady shrugged. “We need her. She has assets on the ground in Cancun and throughout the peninsula. It’s
going to take more than a burner and a fake flash drive.”
“A burner?”
“A throwaway cell phone so we can’t be traced.” Brady picked up her canvas bag. “Trust me. Audrey is all business in these situations. She and Archer are the perfect cover couple. The cartel will expect you to come alone or with an army. Two couples on a vacation to a resort isn’t going to raise an eyebrow.”
The clear blue Montana sky created a brilliant backdrop. Gleaming in the late afternoon sun was a spotless midsized jet, the Cessna Citation Sovereign. It was the perfect choice to get them across the country and into an international airport.
Planted in front of the pearl-colored jet with sparkling gold letters was Mira, a very irritated look on her face. She stood in the sun with her arms folded tight across her chest while her white-blonde hair fluttered in the breeze around her striking face. Brady knew he still hadn’t given her the explanation she’d asked for.
“Captain,” Brady said.
She sighed. “Bastard,” she said good naturedly. “No need making nice. I’m here when you need me.”
“I appreciate the shift in plans. It’s an emergency activation. Are we all clear for takeoff?”
“Yep. Stopover in Miami and a quick refuel. You and Archer will deplane while Audrey and Elena stay tucked tight. I’ve already reserved a private lounge for you to meet with Chuck Magnum.”
“He sounds like a porn star,” Brady said, making Mira smile. “Hell, he might be for all I know, but he’s also the best passport guy in the world. Oh, by the way, start calling us Robert and Julie Smith,” he said. “Or you can call me Doctor Smith.”
“Seriously? Doctor Smith?” Mira asked. “Hope you don’t have to do emergency surgery.”
Audrey and Archer came up behind them, and he heard Audrey snort out a laugh. “He’d probably try to bluster his way through it,” she told Mira. “He’s ballsy.”
“Thank you for noticing,” he said. “Let’s load up.”
Elena and the team boarded the Cessna and each took a plush leather seat in the same pearl white as the outside of the plane. The carpet and interior walls were also white and trimmed with a polished oak.
