Code Name: Nina's Choice (Warrior's Challenge)

by Natasza Waters

  Two weeks to think of something. The nervous, creeping need to go play a hand and relax gripped him. What good would it do? He had about fifty grand in his account, but if he lost that trying to regain four-hundred and fifty he’d be literally bankrupt. Yet, fifty grand could get him out of the country, and maybe out of Pedro’s reach. The guy was a big shot in Vegas, but could he find him hiding in Venezuela or some other country? Shit. Running wasn’t the answer either. Wade yanked his fridge door open and reached for a beer. So what if it was only nine a.m.? He flopped down on the couch and took a long draw. He’d given the Navy fifteen years of service. He was an officer, which meant he was smart. Smart men could figure out a solution.

  His phone rang.

  “Nina, hey.” He softened his voice, removing the angst.

  “Hi, Wade. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

  He rolled his eyes. Women! “Pretty good, considering I’ve been dumped.”

  “You’re not dumped, Wade. Gabbs loves you.”

  “And you?” A small flicker in his heart told him although he was mad as hell at her, there was still something. There had always been something for Nina. They’d had an unforgettable week together once, enough that when he saw her again he wanted more, much more. Every time she turned him down, he ended up at the poker table, frustrated and losing more money.

  “Do you want to come over for lunch?”

  “Why? Trying to ease the guilt by feeding me?”

  Nina was silent for a moment. “Maybe I want our relationship to get over this hurdle.”

  “We don’t have a relationship, according to you.”

  “Fine,” she snapped.

  “Wait! Sorry, I’ve just got to accept what it is, and I’m not good at it. What are you making for lunch?”

  “What do you want?”

  He felt a pulse below his belt. “Your legs wrapped around my hips, if you want to know the truth. If I can’t have that, then whatever you’re making is fine.”

  Nina tsked. “Chicken Caesar salad it is. See ya later.”

  He tossed the phone beside him and scrubbed his face with his hands. It wasn’t only cards he was a slave to. He had a serious addiction to Nina, and he didn’t know which was worse.

  * * * *

  “Hey, hey, where’s my girls?” Mace yelled out. He felt like a sixteen-year-old kid who was about to be handed the keys to a new car when he threw open the front door of Nina’s house. “Hello?” he shouted.

  He dropped his sea bag at the door and ran into the kitchen. The old house said hello with a creak, but no one else did. He’d texted Nina the second the plane landed. She said she’d meet him at home; she was just going to grab Gabbs from school first.

  Guess he’d have to be a little more patient. A shower would eat up a few minutes and he yanked his ‘T’ over his head with one arm and headed for the bathroom.

  The hot spray hit him, and he rolled his head, his palms up against the wall. Man, it felt good to be home. He smiled and the water coiled around his cheeks and dripped into his mouth. He’d take Gabbs and Nina out for dinner and then Gabbs was going to bed early. He had one helluva fucking hard-on. His ears pricked when he heard Nina’s voice through the running water. He lifted his head. “In the shower, ba—” The curtain was ripped aside and Nina radiated with what…fear? Why fear? He wiped the water from his eyes. “Nina, what’s wrong?”

  Her eyes were as big as saucers. “She’s not at school, Mace.”

  He shook his head. “What, what do you mean she’s not at school?”

  Nina grabbed his arms and sunk her fingers in deep. “Someone picked her up.”

  “Wade?”

  “No,” she said, her breath expelling shallow and fast.

  He stepped out and ripped the towel off the rack. “Come on.” He palmed her arm and led her into the kitchen wrapping the towel around his waist. “Sit.” He pushed her down in the chair and knelt in front of her.

  “I have to call the police.”

  He held her in place. “Tell me what happened,” he said slowly. He sensed Nina’s fear and his own wanted to join in, but he put a heavy foot on it.

  “She wasn’t there when I went to get her. One of the kids in her class said a man came and got her.”

  “So it was Wade.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “They know Wade, he’s been picking her up from school for a while now.” Nina fisted her hand and smashed it on the table. A low, painful cry emanated from her throat. “She knows not to go with strangers.”

  “Kids can get things wrong.”

  “I know that, Mace,” she said angrily. “I’ve called Wade numerous times and left texts. He’s not answering.” She thumped her forehead. “God.”

  He wrapped her in his arms and held her to his chest. “Nina, I’m going to call Tony and we’re going to go back to the school and ask around. You stay here and keep trying to call Wade. Did you call his work?” She nodded.

  “They said he didn’t come in today.”

  He texted T-man and dressed. By the time he was out of the bedroom Tony was in the living room with Nina in his arms. He hadn’t even had time to change out of his fatigues. “Hey, come on Ninja girl, this is just probably some crazy mix-up, okay? We’ll find squirt. She’s probably at a friend’s house. We’ll check Wade’s place too.”

  Mace wrapped his arms around both of them. “Nina, we’ll find her.” Tears ran down her face and her whole body shook. He and Tony both released her and headed out.

  “What do you think this is?” Tony asked the minute he closed the door.

  He rammed his hands in his pocket. “I don’t know. You check Wade’s place. I’ll go to the school. Call me.”

  Tony smacked him on the shoulder and they were on their way.

  Mace checked with Gabbs’ teacher. They had already put out a call to all parents asking if they’d seen Gabbs. He found out who the little boy in her class was who’d seen Gabbs go with the man and called his parents. They told Mace where they lived and he said he’d be over shortly. Before he left, he did a search of the school grounds, asking the kids who were still hanging around. His phone rang.

  “What ya got, Tinman?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing looks out of place?”

  “I broke in and took a look inside. There’s nothing out of place. In fact, it’s barren. Not a lot here. In the bedroom I found a few things lying around, but the one thing that is missing is his sea bag.”

  “Okay, thanks. I’m heading over to the kid’s place that saw Gabbs leave the school yard.”

  “Want me to meet you there?”

  “No, troll Coronado. Maybe this is just some kind of mix-up. Go to Skippers. She likes that restaurant, maybe they’re there.”

  “Okay, buddy. Hey, don’t worry.”

  “Too late for that.”

  Mace hopped in his car and headed over to the kid’s place. He only lived a mile away from the school. A woman opened the door with a concerned expression. “Petty Officer Mace Callahan, ma’am.”

  “Come in, Mace,” the young brunette said, stepping aside. Her husband appeared in the hallway.

  “Lieutenant Mailor,” he greeted, throwing out a big paw. “Marine Corps.”

  “Lieutenant, thanks for seeing me.” He followed him into the kitchen.

  “Richard,” his father said. The little boy looked scared when he raised his head.

  “Hey, little buddy,” Mace said, sitting across from him and giving him a smile. “I’m Gabbs’—” Well wasn’t this the shits? “I’m Gabbs’ friend. Her mom said she talked to you earlier.”

  The little boy nodded and he said, “I saw a man pick Gabbs up after school.” He continued to work on a picture he was drawing with a colored pencil.

  “Do you know what Gabbs’ father looks like?”

  He nodded.

  “Tell me.”

  “Dark hair like Daddy,” he said looking at his father. “But he’s not as tall or as big as
Dad.”

  Pretty good description. “Did Gabbs seem upset when the guy took her away?” Richard’s head bobbed twice in the affirmative. “So what did this guy who picked up Gabbs look like?”

  “He was a black man. He had on glasses.”

  “What kind of glasses?”

  “Sunglasses. He was bigger than Dad and he wore a dark suit.”

  Suddenly the looming chill in Mace’s belly went to subzero. “Do you remember what kind of car he was driving?”

  Richard nodded. “Mustang. I like Mustangs, especially black ones.” He shot a wary look at his father.

  Mace smiled at the little guy. “If I show you a picture of a man, do you think you can tell me if it’s him?”

  “Think so.” Richard swirled around in his chair. “Mom, can I have some juice?”

  Richard’s mom wore about the same look as Nina did. Every mother’s nightmare was losing a child, and just the thought had the same contagious fear. He’d bet she’d watch her little guy with an eagle eye for the next three weeks. He pulled his phone. “Tony, you still got that pic of the two guys with Wade that day in the parking lot?”

  “Yeah.”

  Mace gave him the address of where he was.

  “ETA five miles.”

  It only took Tony three minutes to get there. Mace quickly introduced him as Tony handed him his phone. “Richard, is one of these the man who picked up Gabbs?” He expanded the pics on the guys’ faces, and laid down the phone.

  Richard leaned over and looked up at him. “That guy.” He pointed to the one on the right. Mace nodded because he couldn’t trust himself not to lose it right there and then. He turned slowly to look at Tony. The message between them sent and received.

  “Mace, is there anything I can do?” Richard’s father asked, also sensing this was no longer just a case of miscommunication. “No, sir.” He gave Richard a rub on the head. “You did good, buddy, thank you.”

  Richard’s parents followed them to the door. “I’ll phone all the moms I know. We’ll spread the word to watch for Gabbs,” Mrs. Mailor said. “I hope you find her soon.”

  He nodded. “I appreciate that, ma’am.” Now came the hard part. Telling Nina that her fears had a foundation and then they would have to wait.

  Nina’s scream of pain bounced off the walls of the house and cut through his skin like sharp knives. He held her tight and rocked her. Tony paced the kitchen, his hands rammed deep in his pockets, his body ready to fight.

  Nina lifted her tear streaked face. “Why haven’t they called? Shouldn’t they call?” She sprang away from him. “I’m not waiting anymore. I’m calling the police.”

  Tony stepped in front of her. “No, Nina. We have to wait. If we call the police we may push them into leaving the area, if they haven’t already. We stay put.”

  Nina swung around clutching herself. She jumped when a hard knock landed on the front door. Ditz, Tadpole and Caleb entered, their expressions severe.

  “Did you call Cobbs?” Ditz asked, rubbing a comforting hand over Nina’s shoulder.

  “No. I don’t want to.”

  “You want me to?” Ditz asked, falling into the communications role he specialized in.

  “No, what can you do about finding a signal if a call comes in?”

  “I don’t have the equipment here to do that. If I take it from the base someone will start asking questions. Are you sure nothing was left here in the house?”

  “What do you mean?” Mace asked.

  “Did you check the house for a message? This isn’t a bad seventies movie. Nowadays with the communications we have, it could come any way or even a note left here.”

  “Everyone search,” Mace commanded.

  They tore the house apart. No message was left on a pillow or any place obvious. Ditz was sitting at Nina’s computer when they rallied in the kitchen. “What’s the password?” Ditz asked. Nina leaned over and typed it in. They all gathered around as Ditz brought up her email. All their eyes went to the subject line of the mail sitting at the top. Nina’s hand shot to her mouth to muffle a groan.

  Ditz opened the message.

  Subject: One million dollars for the return of your daughter.

  You have twenty-four hours. We will contact you.

  Ditz began to type furiously, internet pages flying by. After a minute he sat back and shook his head. Can’t find the source. The trail ends in Poland, for fuck sakes.”

  “Who owns that IP address?” Tony asked.

  “It’s bogus.” He brought up the info. “These guys know what they’re doing.”

  “A million dollars,” Nina whispered. “I can get the bank to lend me a couple hundred thousand, but not in twenty-four hours.”

  Mace cradled her in his arms. “I’ve got a couple hundred thousand too, baby, but that isn’t going to be enough.” He pulled her away from him. “Nina, did Wade mention anyone to you? Friends, any names?”

  She shook her head.

  “We need to find someone who’s involved in this. Wade played at the Clayton Arms Casino. The only reason those guys showed up to talk to Wade must have to do with a loan. He had to owe them money.”

  “Money?” Nina blinked. “I saw a text on Wade’s phone a while back. It said—” She closed her eyes.

  “Easy, baby, we’ve got time to figure this out.”

  “It said, ah something like…the money is due, and it came from…Pedro. Yes, Pedro.”

  “Pedro. All right.”

  “Caleb?”

  “Time for me to go to the casino and look for a loan?” he asked, pulling on his jacket, already on his way to the door.

  Mace nodded. “Exactly.”

  Minutes ticked by at a deadly slow pace. During their wait they all received a text on their phones. Workups begin tomorrow, report zero seven hundred hours. Mace deleted the message. Tony watched him do it, and it looked like he’d done the same. Ditz brought Nina a hot cup of tea. She clutched it in her hands and nodded her thanks.

  “Help yourself, guys,” she said in a wispy voice.

  An hour later Caleb came through the door and they all stood to face him. “Pedro works out of Las Vegas. It’s just a contact here at the local casino to drag people into taking out loans. The guy knew Wade. Said he’d borrowed at least half a million dollars.”

  The few small connections they had were beginning to link up to a bigger picture, one that pointed straight to Las Vegas. “Did you get a last name?”

  “Quadero. Sounds like one very fucking badass dude.”

  “These guys are as bad as tangos. Worse! They prey on their own countrymen and use their weaknesses to gain control,” Tony shook his head. “No friggin’ end to it.”

  “Caleb, Ditz, Tadpole, T-man, thanks for helping out.”

  “You sound like you’re dismissing us.” Tadpole’s brows scrunched together.

  “Affirmative. I’m going after Gabbs.”

  “We’re going after Gabbs,” Nina countered.

  “What? Ya think we’re just gonna leave you out there on your own? You need all of us,” Caleb stated harshly.

  Mace wrapped an arm around Nina’s waist. “You all got the text. Workups start tomorrow. You go AWOL and you know what happens. Only I’m taking that risk.” The roof lifted with four angry complainants at the same time. “Stop. This is our problem, not yours. I appreciate what you’ve done, but you’re not putting your careers in jeopardy for us. Understood?”

  Tony stepped into his comfort circle. “I’m not staying behind. Are you planning on making me drive another car to Las Vegas? That’s where you’re headed. That’s where I’m headed. I say we save gas. Those guys won’t take the chance of keeping Gabbs in this city. A million dollars is a lot of money. This Pedro guy is going to want to keep her close.”

  “T-man, no way. Not this time.”

  “I agree, Tony,” Nina added. “There’s no way I’m going to let you sacrifice your job for me.”

  Tony’s expression morphed into angry,
something that didn’t happen often. His stature flared like the head of a cobra. “Listen, you two. Squirt means something to me. I’m her uncle.” He pointed to Nina with a stiff finger. “I love you.” The finger shifted. “And you. I don’t give a rat’s ass about my job if someone in my family is in danger.”

  He and Nina shared a look. “I appreciate—”

  Tony grabbed Nina by the arm and pulled her to him. “Get in my fucking car, Mace. Nina, grab what you need.” She ran for her purse. “Do you have your phone, Nina?” She checked and nodded. “On the way you’re calling your parents. The money will be the last resort, but would they have it available?”

  “Yes.”

  Mace tried again to dissuade his friend, but Tony’s hand shot up. “Get—in—the—car.”

  Mace walked backward and gave the other three men a wave. All three of them looked ready to chase after them. “Stay. If you find out anything, call me. We’ll keep you advised.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Getting lost in the myriad of people snaking from sidewalk to casino floor wasn’t difficult. Like a chameleon, SEALs were trained to merge with their environment, walk unseen amongst a crowd. Tony knew every move he made was watched by hotel security. Scanned, assessed and if facial recognition didn’t tie him to a database, security moved on, watching only for known card con men and women who made their living duping the casino.

  Tony’s eyes scoped like a camera, scanning and moving on, looking for Cayson. They’d scored a room at the Grand Palms hotel, one of the newer casinos on the Strip. Mace had convinced Nina to call her parents and ask for the money. His best friend did it to divert her attention to something other than her mounting fear. Tony couldn’t help being impressed with Nina’s ability to keep it all in perspective, but he and Mace weren’t fooled. The fire in Nina burned at a habañero scoville level. She was a mama bear ready to destroy the person who had taken her cub.

  Waddling old women with muumuus and long-legged twenty-one-year olds with short sparkling minis crisscrossed the gaming floor. Tony positioned himself beside a bank of slot machines, each seat filled by people who didn’t mind losing to the worst odds in the house. Gambling, other than a game of poker to kick back with some of the guys on a Saturday night, was not his idea of a good time. He didn’t understand the mentality of dropping coins in a slot, and in return getting a quick song and a spin of the reels as a reward.