Dangerous in Love (Aegis Group Alpha Team, #1)

by Sidney Bristol

  “Was the big one there?” Juan asked.

  “The big one? The fuck are you talking about? They were all big.” Pedro glared at his brother in the back seat.

  “Fuck,” Juan muttered.

  “Anyone follow you?” Marcos asked.

  “No, they were too worried about closing the door in my face.”

  “Good. She didn’t recognize you?”

  “Nope. I’m just another brown guy.”

  “I’m going to need your personal touch later. Will you be available?” For what Marcos was paying them he shouldn’t have to ask, but the Torres brothers were finicky.

  “Sure, man.” Pedro answered without consulting his brother.

  It was time to manage the three-ring circus. In three days, the medical center would request payment. He could put them off, at best, for five days. Plead time zone difficulties, whatever. Past five days and Tommy’s schedule would suffer. Before his wife had died, Marcos promised her that Tommy would never want for anything. That was a promise Marcos intended to keep.

  He picked up the radio. “Targets will be flying the coop. Keep an eye on them.”

  These Aegis bastards had the hotel locked down too tight. Flushing them out was stage one of taking control back.

  Lacey huddled on the back bench seat of the SUV. The Kevlar vest swallowed her body and the helmet made her head sweat and blocked her vision. Shane had insisted she wear the full outfit.

  She’d thought they were past this.

  What had they said? Get home and everything would be fine.

  But it wasn’t.

  Josh was dead and someone—probably Marcos—was still after them.

  It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

  She should have spent the night on Josh’s couch, bemoaning how things ended with Shane, and talking about where she would go next. But that wasn’t what’d happened, and now she was sitting between two men cradling assault rifles as they rolled through an Atlanta suburb.

  This was America, not some war zone in the Middle East. It was all so surreal and frightening.

  “I don’t understand what’s happening.” Aanya’s shrill voice hurt even Lacey’s ears.

  The guys had stopped answering her pleas for more information the moment Kyle said they were ready to go. Every so often, Kyle called out from the driver’s seat and the other three men would answer in a code that Lacey couldn’t figure out. She didn’t need a cipher to understand the tense atmosphere in the SUV.

  Shane and the others were seriously concerned about an active threat to their safety.

  The lead vehicle, driven by Adam, paused at a gated house. Two guards approached both the truck and SUV from each side.

  She was willing to bet whoever these guys were, they were armed, too.

  “We’re here. It’s going to be okay,” Shane whispered.

  It was the first thing he’d said to her since Kyle’s order to load out. Those two sentences eased the knot in her throat, and she released her death grip on the seat in front of her.

  The gate opened after a quick glance-over by the guards, and they were admitted within the gates. Adam’s truck stopped well away from the house, while Kyle drove around to the back and into a garage.

  “Ladies and gentleman.” Kyle twisted to address the newlyweds and Lacey. “We’re going to ask you to remain in interior rooms without windows. This is for your safety. Please do not make us ask again. The FBI have confirmed they are sending people to us and understand the severity of our situation. Atlanta PD will also want to take notes on our visitor.”

  “I want to go home,” Aanya said over Kyle.

  “I understand that, ma’am, but it’s not safe for you or your family.” Kyle spoke softer, the compassion in his tone a balm to even Lacey’s frayed nerves.

  Shane reached over and squeezed Lacey’s hand, but he didn’t look at her.

  “We are guests at a friendly facility. Please act accordingly. The onsite staff will offer us minimal support, as they are conducting their own business and have plans to pull out shortly. If everyone would please meet in the dining room, we’ll set a schedule and sort rooms there. Load out.”

  Kyle got out and assisted first Aanya, then Dev from the SUV while the others waited their turn.

  The garage door rumbled shut behind them, blocking out the light.

  “We’re going to get through this,” Shane said.

  Lacey nodded and waited for Felix to climb out after the couple. Isaac was already inspecting the garage entrances.

  “I was in Africa once, working with a team of herpetologists studying turtles. We wound up the guests of a local warlord.” She twisted and turned.

  “How’d that turn out?”

  “We made nice for about two days, letting him show us around, until some neighboring faction attacked their camp. We ducked out and ran like mad.” What she was feeling now, the fear and adrenaline at being boxed in, it was much the same.

  “I’m here to protect you.” Shane squeezed her hand one last time and let her go. “You first.”

  Lacey didn’t want to need Shane’s protection. If she needed it, then he was in danger. She’d already lost Josh. She didn’t want to lose Shane, too.

  She climbed out of the SUV, Felix there to give her a hand, and proceeded through a utility room into the kitchen and then to the dining room. The rectangular space was cool, the lights dim—and most importantly, no windows.

  Adam posted up at the far door and was already on the phone.

  There was no sign of their hosts. She didn’t blame them one bit, given the threat aimed their way. She’d want to get clear of their group as well.

  “What happened?” Aanya crowded Lacey into a corner, her eyes wide, fear creasing her face.

  “I... I’m not sure. When?” Lacey cringed. It was her fault. If she’d just gone back to the room, if she’d have never gone to Jamaica...

  “Why did we move? What happened?” Aanya demanded.

  “Honey, they told us.” Dev grasped his wife by the shoulders. “Someone impersonated a police officer. They were trying to get into the hotel room.”

  “Why are they still after us?” Aanya turned and buried her face against her husband’s chest.

  Lacey slipped the helmet off and laid it on the buffet up against the wall.

  She’d thought recording and documenting her captivity would lead to justice—and ratings. In her attempt to get one over on her captors, she’d created this mess. Shane and Aanya could preach all they wanted that she was a victim, that it wasn’t her fault, but no one had forced her to make those decisions. She’d done that all on her own.

  “I know this has been a stressful morning, but we need to lay down a worst case scenario plan.” Kyle spoke with a smile, his voice warm and comforting.

  “I just want to lie down,” Aanya said.

  “I know, but if you’ll just hear me out—”

  “My wife wants to lie down. Now.” Dev was getting some of himself back. Little shows of authority, finding himself.

  “All right.” Kyle smiled. He really did have a gift for soothing frayed nerves and inspiring confidence in people. “If you’ll come this way, I’ll show you where you can relax while we sort out what happens next.”

  Lacey watched them leave, exhaling only once the couple disappeared from view. She shoved a hand through her hair and turned toward the others.

  “What’s really going on?” she asked.

  “Someone impersonated a detective,” Shane said. “At least now we have a visual. Hotel security got several clear shots of his face and the car he got into.”

  “What does all of this mean?” She paced the room. “You’re all operating like this is normal and I have no idea what’s going on.”

  “Marcos and his guys want something—the video. Turns out your friend Josh posted a clip of some stuff from your abduction, said there was more to come. That’s what probably tipped Marcos off that there was more.”

  “What?” Lac
ey gaped at Shane. “When were you going to tell me that?”

  “There wasn’t a good time.”

  “Oh my—oh, my God.”

  “You really had no idea?” Isaac’s gaze narrowed and he tilted his head to the side.

  “No. I mean, I video chatted Josh for five minutes so he’d know it was really me. We briefly discussed creating a web series—but I didn’t know.” Lacey glanced from Isaac to Adam to Felix. “You don’t believe me?”

  “You make money off your videos. What better way to make money than get attention?” Isaac shrugged.

  “You’re right.” Lacey swallowed. “In time, I’d have used the video to re-launch my site and channel, but not like this.”

  “Leave her alone.” Shane turned, scowling at the others.

  “You don’t get a vote in this,” Isaac said.

  “The hell I don’t.” Shane clenched his fee hand into a fist.

  “Just because you’ve slept with her doesn’t make her innocent. We have no idea if she’s telling us the truth or not.” Isaac pointed at her, but stared at Shane.

  “Stop your hissy fit, boys.” Kyle stalked back into the room, glaring first at Isaac then Shane. “We’ve got bigger problems.”

  The others turned to face Kyle, ignoring her.

  “We will have minimal support after this storm blows through. Tonight, it’ll just be us. We’ve got to hash out how we’re going to defend this place. I tried to brief our clients but they aren’t listening. Just so we’re all clear, in the event of an attack, we exit through the patio doors. A reserve vehicle is positioned for a fast escape. Everyone got it?” Kyle focused on Shane. “I want a full report on the perimeter and a list of what we’d like to ask the FBI to supply.”

  “On it.” Shane nodded.

  “Take Felix with you, show him the ropes.” Kyle jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Go.”

  Lacey sat in a chair, more knotted up and confused than before, while Kyle handed out jobs. In the end, it was just the two of them left in the dining room.

  “Is there anything I can do?” she asked.

  “The FBI will be here soon. After they finish grilling you, if you’re up for it, review the tape. We need to know who to look for and what’s so important that it’s worth killing you over.”

  Lacey swallowed and nodded.

  “One other thing, and this is...personal?” Kyle leaned on the back of the chair next to her.

  She glanced up at him. Kyle was so personable and friendly, it was easy to forget that under that smooth exterior he was a soldier, too.

  “Shane’s been through a lot—”

  She mirrored his pose, leaning back in her seat. The only difference was the tears stinging her eyes. She glanced away, unable to look at him.

  “This is the what are your intentions toward my daughter speech?”

  “More or less.”

  “I’m not good for him.” Those words hurt, but they were the truth. Shane deserved someone stable, loving, gentle, who’d coax that smile out more often. Lacey had all the subtlety of a caveman with a club. She wanted him, but she also knew the damage she left in her wake, even when her intentions were good.

  “I beg to disagree.” The corners of Kyle’s mouth curled upward. “You just put what’s best for him above yourself.”

  She swallowed, her heart knocking against her ribs. Whatever Kyle was getting at, she wasn’t ready to acknowledge it.

  “Report,” Marcos said into the phone.

  “They’re inside, sir. Storm should hit within the hour. What would you have us do?”

  “Dig in, keep your eyes on them.”

  Marcos had done his homework the instant he’d known they were headed to Atlanta. All these security companies knew each other. Many of the men had served together, and considering the old dickhead who owned Aegis had been around since the dawn of time, it stood to reason he’d have connections. Once his targets moved from their secure tower and headed out, Marcos was able to narrow down where they were going.

  They no longer had the benefit of hotel security. Police presence was, as of yet, nonexistent. Their targets had effectively painted a bullseye on their backs. Their bolt hole was far from secure. There were a number of entry points, ways onto the grounds, blind spots to hide their movements.

  The tropical storm would hit Atlanta soon, and under the cover of storm and night, they’d go in. First, the Lacey Miles threat needed to be nullified, and then they’d focus on the targets. Marcos could pull a rabbit out of the hat yet.

  13.

  Shane stared out the rain-splattered windows.

  They were alone.

  The other team had left them with the run of the place without so much as a backward glance. It didn’t leave him with the warm fuzzies about their location. They were most vulnerable when they were on the move, so now that they’d reached their new destination they should be more secure. Then why did he feel as though a shoe were going to drop?

  Probably because if he were going to lay siege to the place, he had a good half dozen ways he’d do it.

  “Yo, York.” Felix ambled into the room. “You’re off.”

  Shane squinted, willing the storm to let up so he could better see the wall.

  “You hear me?”

  “Yeah, I heard you.” Shane turned from the window. Felix was growing on him. He took the job a lot more seriously than, say, Isaac. He still wasn’t Cisco though. “Keep an eye on the perimeter. I don’t care if there’s a security system, got it?”

  “Will do.” Felix nodded. “Cisco called Kyle earlier, in case you were wondering how he is.”

  Shane swallowed.

  He did wonder, and he struggled with how to forgive himself.

  “Lacey’s still in the dining room.” Felix glanced over his shoulder. “In case you were going to look for her.”

  Shane grunted and left the room.

  He’d had nothing to do but think while on shift watching the storm roll in. About Cisco. Lacey. His future. All of it.

  Lacey really did make him consider that there were options out there.

  The end of his SEAL career came about before he’d been ready. Granted, if things had happened on his timetable he’d have still been left floundering. The reality was that he’d never given much thought to what came after in life. What he wanted to do outside of his job. He loved serving his country, it was what made him get up every day, and now he liked knowing that they saved people. But deep down he wasn’t as happy as he’d been before, and he wasn’t as young.

  This career had a shelf life and he needed to consider Lacey’s advice.

  He took the stairs down to the first floor, and headed straight for Lacey. She had the run of the command room but focused on the laptop.

  Shane had no idea what he’d say to her, what they were doing, all he knew was that he wanted to be near her.

  Lacey glanced up and blinked at him.

  “Hey—long time no see. Sit?” She patted the chair next to her.

  He did as she requested, peering at the screen.

  “I trimmed the tape, by the way,” she said in a low voice.

  “Oh.” He shifted in his seat.

  “I didn’t realize it was recording, I swear.” She turned toward him and cringe. “I wouldn’t do that intentionally.”

  “No harm done.” And none of the guys would see it now. “What are you working on?”

  “I’m screenshotting all the faces on my tape, making notes.” She gestured to a legal pad full of scribbles. “Most of them are fuzzy, but it’s a start, you know?”

  “Kyle said when the FBI would be here?” Shane would rest easier knowing the authorities were looped in.

  “Soon?” She shrugged.

  “How you doing watching this?” He nodded at the laptop.

  “It’s rough.” She lifted her shoulders, expression pained.

  He took her hand, but offered no other comment.

  “Some of it I forgot. I guess...I was so scar
ed at the time, I just blocked it all out. It was one, unending nightmare. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around how these people can do so many bad things and...be okay with it.”

  “I don’t have an answer for you.” He lifted their joined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “There are bad people, and then there are people who do bad things.”

  “Doing bad things I understand. I mean, who hasn’t been there? But this...” She swiped her finger across the track pad, and a face Shane recognized filled the screen. It was the guy from the airport, the one Shane had squared off with. “I crawled inside the deep freeze to avoid Alex one night. You know how you just have a bad feeling sometimes?”

  “Yeah.” Like the one he had right now?

  “I’m pretty sure I hid in there for like ten minutes. I couldn’t feel my feet by the time I got out.”

  Shane studied the face. If he ever saw Alex again, he’d kill the guy. In Shane’s experience, women had an intuition that shouldn’t be ignored. If Lacey thought she was in danger, she’d likely avoided a fate worse than death.

  “Come here.” He tugged at her hand.

  Lacey leaned into him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and squeezed, reminding himself that she was okay. They’d survived this long.

  Felix’s voice crackled through the radio. “Headlights at the gate.”

  “Should be the FBI. Their last ETA was fifteen minutes ago.” Kyle didn’t sound too pleased.

  Neither was Shane. They had a serious, repeat offender on their hands and no one was moving very fast to put a stop to it.

  Lacey turned her face into Shane’s chest and sucked down a deep breath. He stroked her back, wishing he could do more for her. They didn’t speak, just listened to the radio banter and the rain outside.

  All too soon, the front doors opened and a chorus of new voices broke the relative stillness.

  Lacey straightened, pulling out of his arms and he shifted, getting more comfortable in his seat. This was going to be a long interview, and he had zero intention of leaving unless Lacey wanted him to. She’d gone through hell alone once.