by Rebecca Deel
A nod, then Maddox turned back to the screens. “Josh, the plane will be wheels down in Knoxville in an hour. Be ready to move. We’ll rendezvous at the airport here.”
“Copy that.” The screen went black.
“Nico,” Maddox said. “Restock your equipment from the vault. Sam, raid the clinic for medical supplies. Be prepared for anything. We leave for the airport in two hours.” He turned to Adam. “You need a team to work with on this op. Choose your people, Adam.”
That was easy enough. He’d already decided who he wanted for his permanent team. “Vonnie, Remy, Lily, and Jake Davenport.”
“Good. Eli?”
“Jon, Curt Jackson, you, and Fox Montgomery.”
Nice, Adam thought. That team rocked. No one stood a chance against them. “We need Carol Rossi, Graham Norton, Cissy Carver, and Risa Shoemaker covered while we’re gone.” He had commandeered Carol’s bodyguards for his own team and didn’t want to leave Veronica’s friends vulnerable.
“I’ll assign bodyguards for each except for Cissy Carver. I got word this morning the DEA has relocated her to a safe house along with a doctor. By the time we return, the danger will be eliminated.” Maddox eyed the Doucets, Jon, and Eli. “I need to speak to Veronica a moment.”
The four operatives left the room, leaving Maddox with Adam and Veronica. Adam was prepared to dig in his heels if his boss asked him to leave the room as well.
“Veronica, once this mission is complete, the president will ask for a briefing during which there’s a good chance he’ll ask about the personnel involved. This is your last opportunity to back out. No one will think less of you for protecting your badge.”
“I’m going with you.”
“Are you sure? We aren’t bound by the same rules you are. We’ll capture if we can. If not, our orders are to eliminate the threat and we won’t think twice before we pull the trigger to protect our people.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” Maddox tilted his head. “You should also know I would choose those options whether or not this op was sanctioned. No one goes after my people without consequences.”
“I understand, sir.”
“I hope so because when the DEA finds out you’re involved in this mission, they will make an issue of it. While the president will grant you immunity for anything you have to do during the course of this mission, your agency won’t be as forgiving. You may lose your badge permanently, Veronica. Can you live with that?”
“I appreciate your concern. I want to finish what I started.” She glanced at Adam, then focused again on Maddox. “No matter what it costs me, I’ll have Adam’s back.”
“Why are you so insistent on protecting him? Adam is highly trained and he’ll have a top-notch team at his back. Why you?”
She raised her chin, stared straight at Maddox. “I’m in love with him. Nothing matters more to me than his safety.”
Adam twisted in his seat. Had he imagined the words that he longed to hear? “What did you say?”
“I love you, Adam Walker.”
He barely heard Maddox leave the conference room, his attention focused on Veronica. Adam cupped her face between his palms. “Say it again,” he demanded.
A small smile curved her lips. “I love you.”
“You don’t know how happy I am to hear those words.” He pressed his lips to hers in a feverish kiss. Adam thought his heart would leap out of his chest. “I love you, Veronica Miles.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I hope it’s not too soon to tell you how I feel. I wanted to tell you the truth before we left for Mexico since I preferred not to bare my heart on a plane full of mercenaries with big ears and a penchant for in-house gossip.”
“Are you sure, Vonnie?”
She blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Are you sure about taking a chance on a permanent relationship with me? I’m not ready to stay stateside. That time will come, but not now.”
“I’m not ready to be stateside, either. Can you handle the fact I’ll be in the line of fire?”
“I hate that you might walk into a hail of bullets. You have skills. I trust you and your training.” His lips curved. “I’d trust your training more if you were trained by Fortress.”
“Is that possible?”
“If you sign on with us, absolutely. In fact, Maddox will insist on it, although the training course is shortened since you have law enforcement experience.”
“What would you do during those weeks?”
“Come with you. Our team would train with you as a unit.”
“Team?” She leaned back. “I didn’t think you had a team.”
“If they agree to sign on with me, I want to work with Remy, Lily, and Jake.”
Veronica grinned. “I was hoping you’d choose them.”
“Are you resigning from the DEA?”
“Would you mind?”
“I can’t think of anything better than working with you.”
“Will Maddox ask me?”
“Let’s find out. Maddox,” he called out.
His boss opened the door and stepped inside the conference room with a manila folder in his hand. “You have questions for me?”
“One. Are you offering Vonnie a job?”
“I am.” Maddox named a salary that made Veronica’s jaw drop.
“Are you serious? That’s four times what I make at the DEA.”
“One of the perks of going private. But that’s not why you’re considering the job, is it?”
“No, sir. I can’t trust my own people to have my back, no matter how much Forrest spreads the word that I’m cleared. Most of all, I don’t want to be assigned to ops out of the country for months at a time. I want to build a life with Adam.”
“I understand. Adam is the team leader. I assume you’ll want to work with him. Will you have a problem following his orders on a mission?”
“No.” No hesitation.
“If you want the job, Veronica, it’s yours.” Maddox opened the folder and pulled out a document. “Sign here and you become one of mine. If you sign, you need to resign your DEA position before we leave for Mexico.” He pulled out a pen and slid it to her.
With another glance at Adam, Veronica took a deep breath and signed her name with a flourish. “I need access to a computer for a couple minutes.”
Maddox circled the table and logged into the computer. “Use this one.” He moved away while she typed out a quick message, then pressed send.
“Done.”
Adam’s boss grinned, held out his hand. “Welcome to Fortress, Veronica Miles.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Veronica hefted her new Go bag over her shoulder with a grunt. The rest of the operatives made the bags look light the way they moved them around without effort. She had to remember she was still recovering from Silverman’s torture. In fact, Sam had removed her stitches just minutes earlier and pronounced her healed with a few scars to remind her of the ordeal.
She mentally shrugged. She wouldn’t see them. Besides, what were a few more scars? At least these had been earned protecting the man who now held her heart in his hands. That he loved her after such a short time astonished Veronica. Then again, both of them had been in the background of each other’s lives for a year. Maybe their feelings weren’t so surprising.
Either way, she was grateful her feelings were reciprocated. Confessing her love for Adam would have been mortifying if he hadn’t felt the same. Maddox had probably suspected. Why else would he push her to tell why she was willing to sacrifice her career for Adam?
She slid a look at the operative who walked beside her. “Do I get my own rocket-propelled grenade now?”
He laughed, his eyes twinkling. “I already slipped one into your bag, Vonnie.”
“Sweet.”
“Yeah, it is, but I hope I don’t have to teach you how to use it on the run.”
“Ha. We’re Fortress. We don’t run.”
“She learn
s fast,” Remy said with a smile.
Adam glanced at the other operative. “Maddox wants to form a new team. You interested?”
The Cajun eyed him a moment. “Depends. Who’s the team leader?”
Oh, boy. Veronica looked from Remy to Adam. Did Remy want to lead his own team? He didn’t seem to mind following Adam’s lead when they were at Graham’s house. In fact, he appeared low key about everything. Maybe she misread him. Easy enough to do since she had only known the Doucets for a few days.
“I am,” Adam said.
“Lily and I come as a package deal.”
“I didn’t expect otherwise. I want the package.”
Remy looked at his wife. When she smiled, he turned back to Adam. “We’re in.”
“Yes!” Veronica grinned. “Working with you will be fun.”
“Wait. You’re working with Fortress?” Lily asked.
“I signed the papers with Fortress and resigned from the DEA an hour ago.”
“That’s great news. Who’s the fifth member of the team, Adam?”
“Jake Davenport if he agrees.”
“Good choice. Jake’s a great medic and a crack shot.” Remy put his bag and Lily’s into the back of his SUV, then reached out a hand to take Veronica’s bag. “Here he comes now.” He inclined his head toward the truck turning into the parking garage beneath Fortress headquarters.
Jake parked a short distance away. “Sorry I’m late. Got caught in traffic on I-65. There’s always an accident or construction going on.” He jogged over with two bags in hand, already dressed in what Veronica realized was the standard Fortress work uniform, black cargoes, black shirt, and boots, a uniform she was also wearing for the first time.
Veronica tilted her head. “Why do you have two bags?” she asked the medic.
He patted the larger of the two bags. “Mike bag with medical supplies. The other is my Go bag.” Jake stored his gear in the back with the other bags. “Where are we headed?”
“Climb in,” Adam said. “We’ll talk on the way.”
Before Adam started his explanation, Veronica turned to the medic. “How is Carol?”
“Great, but worried about your safety.”
She sighed, relieved to hear the agent was improving. “Carol is a good friend.” One Veronica would miss working with.
“She says the same about you. So, Adam, what’s the mission?”
Adam gave Jake the short version of the upcoming operation.
A soft whistle from the medic. “Ambitious. How many teams are we taking?”
“Four on the ground. Two with the planes.” He spent the travel time to the airport relaying details. “When we’re airborne, I’ll show you the schematics. Jake, Maddox wants me to form a new team. Remy, Lily, and Vonnie have already agreed to sign on with me. I’d like you to be our team medic. Think about it while we’re on this op. Let me know after we return.”
Jake smiled. “Don’t have to think about it. I would be honored to work with all of you.”
“I’ll let Maddox know we’re officially a team. Expect training time in Otter Creek as a team while Veronica takes the short training course for operatives.”
“Oh, man.” Lily sighed. “The only good thing about going to PSI is visiting with our friends. Durango and St. Claire’s team are tough task masters. They are going to run us ragged.”
“Look at it this way,” Remy said. “At least you’ll have Nate cooking for you.”
She brightened. “That’s right. Veronica, you’ll love the food. Nate is a professional chef.”
Definitely beyond anything the DEA provided. “Please, call me Vonnie.”
Remy parked in a section of the airport parking lot reserved for Fortress. They exited the vehicle as another Lear jet landed and taxied their direction. “Durango and the PSI trainees are right on time.”
“What does PSI stand for?” Veronica asked.
“Personal Security International. It’s the Fortress bodyguard training center. We also conduct search and rescue training on site, including K-9 teams.”
Good grief. Maddox covered it all. No wonder he was constantly hiring new operatives.
While the jets refueled and the pilots went through their pre-flight routine, one of the PSI teams relocated to the second jet and the rest of the teams boarded their respective planes. In less than an hour, Veronica found herself strapped into a seat beside Adam across from Remy, Lily, and Jake as the plane barreled down the runway.
After the jet was airborne, Adam went over the schematics and maps with Jake. When the medic learned what he needed to know, Adam said to his team, “Take advantage of the flight time to sleep.”
That’s when Veronica realized the other two teams were already asleep, except for Jon Smith who worked on his computer. Wasn’t he comfortable sleeping in close quarters with his co-workers? She leaned close to Adam and whispered in his ear. “Does Jon ever sleep while flying?”
“He will catnap if Eli is awake to keep watch. In three hours, he’ll wake Eli, then sleep a few hours himself.” He reached overhead and grabbed a couple pillows and blankets, handed one of each to Veronica. “Try to rest. The next three days will be fast and hard.”
Although she thought the effort would be fruitless, she reclined her seat, but she was too keyed up to sleep. Maybe there was a book on board that she could read while the others slept.
“Come here,” Adam murmured. He turned and wrapped his arms around her so she was able to rest her head on his chest.
The next thing Veronica knew, Adam nudged her to tell her they were about to land in Mexico. She sat up, stretched. Incredible. She’d thought sleep would be impossible. Apparently all she needed was for Adam to hold her.
The plane landed on a private airstrip. The operatives on the four mobile teams grabbed their gear and exited the plane. Four Suburbans were parked in the grass at the end of the tarmac. Two men stood in the shadows of the trees, waiting. One of the men lifted a hand to Maddox in silent greeting.
The Fortress CEO strode across the distance and shook hands with the men. After a short conversation, the strangers disappeared into the trees and Maddox returned. He addressed the four teams. “Keys are in the ignitions. We leave at ten-minute intervals to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Check in when you reach your assigned coordinates. We’ll take down the four targets at one time. We don’t want Los Diablos to have any warning. If they get wind they’re under attack, they’ll scatter and be that much harder to take down. I’d rather use the Shadow unit for other operations than ferreting out the remnants of Los Diablos.”
Veronica marveled at the thought of taking down all of Los Diablos’ drug factories plus the place where she had been held and interrogated for days. If this was a DEA operation, the chances of a successful operation being planned and executed this fast was next to nil. Then again, Maddox didn’t have to work his way through mountains of red tape to make this mission happen.
Adam’s team was second to leave the airstrip. Sandwiched between Adam and Jake, Veronica paid attention to the route Remy drove with Lily serving as navigator. She didn’t think her driving back to the plane would be necessary, but Veronica would rather be prepared for the unexpected. That’s how she’d stayed alive while working alone for weeks. Things went wrong on operations, no matter how well you planned. You either adjusted or you died.
Half a mile from their assigned coordinates, Remy drove off the road and parked the SUV deep in the surrounding trees and underbrush. No one would see their vehicle from the road. To be sure civilians or the enemy didn’t disable their ride, they camouflaged the vehicle with branches and bushes. When they finished, Veronica wouldn’t have realized there was a vehicle hidden if she didn’t know what to look for.
Once they donned their comm systems, Adam led the way through the trees. A quarter mile from their destination, he held up a fist, signaling them to halt. He glanced at Remy and pointed out the camera hidden in the branches of the tree ahead to their right.
Veronica blew out a slow breath. Good thing she wasn’t in charge of this op. She would have missed the camera and tipped off Los Diablos to the presence of intruders. Yeah, she had skills, but Fortress operatives were two or three levels above her. Working with them was going to be a challenge, but fun.
Remy shimmied up the tree and, instead of disabling the camera like she expected, turned the lens slowly in a different direction.
Progress from that point on was slower as the operatives scanned for more cameras. They shifted four more as they walked closer to the place where she’d been held. A few hundred yards from the edge of the tree line, Adam again held up his fist to halt their forward movement.
She edged closer to see what caught his attention. It took her a minute to spot the trip wire strung between two trees. Oh, boy. What next? Adam signaled her and the others to move back, then slid his pack off his back and removed a few tools. Veronica’s stomach lurched when she realized he was going to deal with the trip wire himself.
Though she wanted to protest her boyfriend taking such a huge risk, Veronica would have to suck it up and deal. Adam wouldn’t tackle the trap unless he knew how to handle himself. That was something she had noticed over the past week. Yes, he had skills. He was also wise enough to delegate the assignments based on a team member’s strengths. If he thought one of the others could handle the trip wire better, he would have shifted the responsibility.
Still, she didn’t take her eyes from Adam as he worked to trace the wire and deal with the bomb attached. When Adam motioned them forward, Veronica took her first free breath in several minutes. It was one thing to know Adam’s job was dangerous. Seeing the danger up close and personal brought another level of fear for his safety.
They crept forward, crouching at the edge of the trees. Adam texted Maddox that they were in position. While they waited for the other teams to set up, the five of them watched the activity around the beautiful stone mansion. The place looked like a home you would see on the cover of a home magazine.
Ironic that the peaceful place held a chamber of horrors. Veronica’s stomach twisted into a knot. Remembering those long hours in Silverman’s hands made her want to hurl.
