Barrage

by Lea Hart

  Theo’s phone buzzed, and he checked it. “Looks like the folks in Intelligence have made their way into Vazov’s network. The Trojan that Lucky installed worked and they’re now monitoring all his communications.”

  “This could be it,” Sam said as he glanced over at Owen.

  “It’s about time we caught a break,” Owen said as he opened his laptop. “I’m going to see if IB has anything new on Yolkin.”

  “Good idea,” Sam replied. Picking up his phone, he texted Lucky and let her know they were getting close. When she didn’t respond right away, he figured she was busy. “Let’s pull up the map and see where his house is located because if intel develops quickly, we’re not going to have much time to plan the arrest.”

  Theo nodded and started typing commands into his tablet. “Good idea.”

  Once the map and images came up on the large screen, Sam walked over and started mentally running possible scenarios through his mind of how the op could play out. When his brothers from HRT arrived, he wanted to have at least five for them to choose from.

  ***

  Lucky and Grif were working side by side in the IT room when loud voices erupted in the hall. Looking over, she signaled to Grif to bring up the cameras. When the images appeared, she felt her heart almost stop.

  The man who’d she been stalking for months was just a few feet away.

  Leaning forward, she studied his image and felt a cold chill run over her body. “What’s he doing here?”

  “Nothing good,” Grif replied as he enlarged the image. “He’s losing his shit, though.”

  As she stared at his face on the screen, she realized she was seeing the true embodiment of evil for the first time in her life. His dead eyes were like nothing she’d ever seen, and it made her wonder what had made him give up his humanity and become a monster. “Should we call security?”

  “Let’s see what happens in the next couple of minutes; Wouter doesn’t look scared so maybe this isn’t unexpected.”

  “You’re right; he looks resigned like he knew it was coming.” Lucky watched them walk into Wouter’s office and close the door. “Is there a camera in there?”

  “No, but he’s got audio.” Sliding his chair over to another screen, he typed quickly and then the audio was streaming into their earbuds.

  “I wish I spoke French,” Lucky said as she heard the angry exchange of words. “As soon as the conversation is finished, let’s send it over to Sam.”

  “I bet this has to do with all the transactions that have been flying through the system,” Grif remarked as he leaned back in his chair.

  “I’m assuming you scrambled the audio in this room.” When he raised an eyebrow and said nothing, she knew it was a dumb comment. They had long ago set up a routine when they entered a new location and it started with disabling any audio and video that was present in their workspace.

  They’d had a bad experience on one of the first jobs they’d taken, and it had taught them to trust no one, especially the people who hired them. The other thing they did was make sure everything was encrypted on their own devices, so their communications were secure. When they’d been in the Gulf, they learned every move they made was being surveilled and that made them go the extra mile to ensure no one ever picked up anything they didn’t want them to. Not only for their own personal safety but for the security of their business. The programs they wrote were invaluable and the last thing they needed was for someone to try and steal their brain juice because, in the end, that was their only resource.

  “I’m going to copy the reports that are being generated for Vazov’s accounts and you can send them over as well because, for all we know, the dates and amounts may tie into something they’re investigating.”

  “Good idea.” Tapping her nails on the desk, she waited for Vazov’s tirade to wind down, so she could send it to Sam. Her sixth sense told her something was about to happen, and she hoped it would be enough for one of the agencies to finally act.

  ***

  Julia walked into the conference room and waved a bunch of papers. “Holy shit storm, we got him.”

  Sam turned from the screens he’d been studying and saw the agent’s ecstatic expression. “Got who?”

  “Where are Theo and Owen?”

  “They went out to grab some lunch and should be back any minute.”

  “This is what we’ve been waiting for,” she said as she pumped her fist.

  Owen and Theo strolled in with bags from a local sandwich shop and set them down on the table. “What’s going on?” Owen asked.

  “The techs in IB picked up a series of texts between Vazov and Besiaj regarding a deal that involves armaments for the KLA.” Julia flipped through the papers in her hands. “The backdoor that Lucky created allowed the IB team to take over his laptop and encrypted phone along with all the other electronic devices that connect to the network. They picked up the texts this morning and I’m praying it will be enough.”

  Sam sat forward in his chair. “Holy shit.” Hearing his phone buzz, he checked it and saw that Lucky had texted and told him to check his email immediately. “Can you pass me my laptop?”

  Owen brought it over and lifted his shoulders in question. “What’s up?”

  “Lucky just sent me something.”

  “Is she at the bank today?”

  “Yes.” He opened his email and scanned it. “Vazov lost his shit and was yelling at Martin Wouter for thirty minutes and they captured the audio.” He clicked on the attachment and began listening to the conversation. Once he was halfway through, he stopped it. “He’s threatening Wouter and telling him he won’t get out of their ‘deal’ alive and has no choice but to cooperate. I’m going to send this over to the techs, so they can translate it and transcribe it.”

  “What language are they speaking?”

  “French, so as soon as I send this over I’ll listen to it again and translate it for you guys.”

  Julia sat next to Sam and drummed her fingers. “If we’re lucky, there will be some mention of the arms deal.”

  Theo paced back and forth and then stopped. “I feel like these two things are enough to send this up the chain of command and get the wheels moving. There’s no ambassador in residence, so I’m going to let the Deputy Chief of Mission know what’s going on and then get the director in the loop.”

  Sam saw another email come through and he opened it. “Lucky sent over a report with all the financial transactions associated with Vazov and the accounts he holds over at Societe Generale.”

  “This thing is coming together,” Owen remarked. “Send me a copy of the financial reports, so I can start piecing them together with the intel the techs are pulling off his network.”

  Sam sent it over and then sent another copy to the team. “This is it, we’re finally going to nail the son of a bitch.” After he was done sending copies to everyone, he took a moment to send Lucky a text: Amazing work, honey. So proud of you and appreciative of everything you and Grif have done. I love you and can’t wait to see you tonight. He hit send and decided that confessing his feelings over text was probably a good way for her to start getting used to the idea because it was going to take her a while to accept it. She was it for him and there would never be another, so the sooner she understood that the better.

  Hopefully, she didn’t hate the idea.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Thursday, September 28th

  Sam stepped out of the shower and waited for Lucky to turn off the water. They’d spent a good twenty minutes in the steamy enclosure and he finally felt relaxed for the first time in days. They’d been working almost non-stop since Monday and were finally at the point where everything was in place. All the interested parties had signed off and the HRT team had flown in yesterday and were prepping for the op to arrest Vazov.

  It was hard to believe that things had come together as quickly as they had, and he hoped that tomorrow night would net the results they were all hoping for.

 
He grabbed two towels and handed one to Lucky and then started drying himself off. “Do you want to go downstairs and eat or should we try that Italian restaurant that’s on the next block?”

  “I think we should have room service.”

  Looking up, he noticed her smile and wondered why she was eyeing him like he was her favorite dessert. “What are you up to?”

  Dropping her towel in front of him, she hitched her shoulder. “Oh, nothing…”

  “The look in your eyes tells me that’s a lie and one I’m going to enjoy the hell out of.”

  “You just lean against the wall and enjoy.”

  He watched her kneel slowly down in front of him and grin as her nails raked across his thighs, his balls drawing tight in anticipation. Not letting his eyes waver, he kept his gaze steady as she licked her lips before taking his cock in her hand and pumping it slowly. Her blue eyes darkened as she licked the tiny drop of pre-cum that beaded on the head. Feeling the zing from just that one lick down to his toes, he groaned. “This may kill me, but it’ll be worth it.”

  Sweet torture is what she was doing with her mouth as she kissed and nibbled her way down to his sac. She rolled his balls in her mouth gently for a moment and then kissed her way back to his cockhead. Groaning, he let his head fall against the wall and let it bounce as she opened her mouth and swallowed him whole. She relaxed her throat and took him all the way down until her chin hit his scrotum. “Jeeze, Lucky.”

  Her tongue moved against the underside of his cock and she moaned around him as the vibration sent an electric shock up his shaft. Sucking him harder, she brought her hands up and caressed his balls. The dual sensation brought him closer to orgasm and he felt the tightening at the base of his spine, signaling he was about to come. Pleasure crackled across his skin as he moved his hips, fucking her mouth with short, hard strokes.

  The groan that erupted from his chest surprised him as his vision went dark, and he spurted stream after stream of thick semen down her throat. His knees threatened to give out as a pleasure he’d never known rocketed through his body.

  Opening his eyes slowly, he pulled his still-hard cock from the soft suction of her mouth and watched her lick her lips and smile seductively, her eyes glazed with desire. “Goddamn, Lucky, that was spectacular.”

  She stood slowly and ran her hand over his chest and then took his hand. “I’ve just gotten started, Sam.”

  He let her pull him out of the bathroom and realized he’d just experienced the best blowjob of his life. “What else are you going to do to me?” Hearing her dark laugh and watching the sway of her sexy ass told him whatever she had in mind was going to be incredible.

  ***

  They stood in front of the bed and she looked up, and she smiled. “Lay down.” Seeing him frown, she pushed at his chest. “I’m in charge, Sam, and I want you to do as I say.”

  “But, Lucky…”

  “No, I let you and now you have to let me.” Seeing him fight with himself before surrendering let her know that he’d give her anything, and all she had to do was ask. He lay on his back and his big frame took up a good portion of the bed. “Scoot up.”

  He raised an eyebrow and then finally did as she asked. “Now I’ve got you where I where I want you.” Bending down, she unlatched his prosthetic and laid it on the floor, and then put her hands on her hips and nodded with satisfaction. “Perfect.”

  “Am I going to survive what you have planned for me?”

  Climbing on the bed, she crawled over him so her legs straddled his hips. “Not sure.” Leaning down so their mouths were touching, she said quietly, “But what a way to go.”

  “I guess all I can do is agree and enjoy my demise.”

  Good choice,” she said as she moved his hard cock away from his stomach and closed her eyes as she moved him to her swollen folds. Kissing him deeply, she rocked against him slowly, teasing herself every time his cock pressed against the taut bud of her clit. “Are you ready, Sammy?”

  “I hope so, Lucky.”

  “Me too,” she replied as she sank down on him to the hilt in one smooth motion.

  They moaned in tandem as she placed her knees securely on either side of him and sat back. The penetration became deeper and she squeezed and relaxed her muscles around him and felt his hands go to her hips. “Don’t move, Sam.”

  “You’re killing me.”

  Looking down, she saw his eyes were only half-open and his breathing was labored. His fingers dug into her hips and she felt the bite. “I want to give you a little of what you give me.”

  “And, what’s that?”

  Trailing her hands over his stomach, she felt the ridged muscles jump beneath her fingers. “Pleasure, Sam…so much pleasure.

  His hand moved between her thighs and he rubbed her clit in slow circles as her head fell back on her shoulders. “So good,” she moaned as she began to move, lifting her hips until the head of his cock was barely inside her. Falling back down, she then started stroking him steadily, using her inner muscles to milk him as she rose up and down. His fingers flicked faster and she felt the spasm building in her womb. “I’m coming.”

  “Thank fuck,” he groaned as his hands went back to her hips.

  He began to thrust up into her with hard, fast strokes until she came undone around him, crying out his name with her release. He did the same and she felt his seed jet against her inner walls as her orgasm rolled into another one.

  Collapsing on his chest, she closed her eyes and tried to pull in a full breath. His arms went around her, and she felt her heart slip right into his. Not wanting to explore what that might mean, she let herself be pulled into sleep.

  ***

  Closing the door quietly, Sam pulled in the room service table and rolled it close to the two chairs that sat in front of the windows. He lifted a roll, and as he ate it, he studied the beautiful woman who’d stolen his heart.

  She was the perfect embodiment of everything he couldn’t control and, while that concept was scary as shit, he wouldn’t have it any other way because allowing himself to fall in love meant he’d finally let himself get back in the game instead of just existing on the sidelines.

  This thing with Lucky was just as perilous as any op he’d ever been on and, for the first time since the explosion, he was putting everything he had in without consideration for the results. Which meant he’d finally healed. The drive and tenacity that had been as much a part of him as his breath were back in full force, and he had her to thank for it.

  Walking back to the bed, he sat down and ran his fingers over her arm. He felt her stir and continued to wake her gently. When her eyes opened and she smiled, he bent down and gave her a small kiss. “Dinner just arrived.”

  “How long was I asleep?”

  “About an hour and a half.” When she closed her eyes, he put his hands on her shoulders and lifted her up. “Get up, so I can feed you.”

  Her head rolled to the side and she opened one eye. “What did you order for me?”

  “I ordered the fish special as well as roast chicken and thought we could share.”

  “All right.” She raised her head and kissed his cheek. “Taking care of my man took a lot more energy than I thought it would.”

  Laughing, he embraced her tightly and then sat back. “You can have the rest of the night off, because it’s my turn next.”

  Swinging her legs to the floor, she stood and waved her hands. “Nope, can’t let you do that because I’m already a limp noodle.”

  He watched her walk into the bathroom and shut the door. “We’ll see about that,” he said loudly.

  The door opened and she called out, “No, we won’t.”

  “Yes, we will,” he said to himself as he stood and walked over to the small table that held their meal. Opening the bottle of wine, he poured two glasses and then sat down and went through the updates on his phone. All the pieces were falling into place and, by tomorrow night, he hoped they would be celebrating the takedown of one very na
sty piece of trash.

  Hearing the bathroom door open, he saw Lucky walk toward him wrapped in a hotel robe with her hair pinned on top of her head and in that moment, he knew he was going to be seeing a similar scene forty years from now.

  They’d probably be wrinkly and not as agile, but he’d bet his last dollar they’d still be madly in love with one another.

  Because that was their story.

  “Why are you smiling at me like you have a secret?”

  “No reason, honey.” He stood and made sure she was comfortable before he handed her a glass of wine. “Ready to eat?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He took the covers off the salads, put one in front of each of them, and then sat down. “How was your day, dear?”

  Throwing her head back, she laughed. “Well, dear, it was very productive. Grif and I met with Martin Wouter and the Federal Police regarding freezing Vazov’s assets. We wrote a program that will not allow anything to move in or out but won’t alert him to the change. Should he decide to check the activity tomorrow, he will not see anything that should alarm him.”

  “Did the Federal Police ask to purchase a copy of the program?”

  “Of course. Grif quoted them an astronomical price and they didn’t blink. We’ll see if anything comes of it.”

  Setting down his fork, he lifted her hand. “Very proud of you, Lucky.”

  “All in a day’s work.” Taking his hand, she lifted it to her mouth and pressed a kiss against his skin. “And how was your day, dear?”

  “Productive,” he replied as she released his hand. “Spent the day out at USAG Benelux meeting with HRT and the operators from the Federal Police, mapping out the op for tomorrow night.”

  “Is that the U.S. base?”