Jamie pointed toward the stairs. “I’ll take Tessa up to comms and give her a brush while I keep watch. She deserves a treat.”
Piper’s mouth thinned, and her face was a little pale. “I’ll be biting my nails until Calvin get’s his ass back here.”
“Well, he’s the houseman. Why not call him and tell him he has fish to fry?”
Piper’s eyebrows rose, and then she nodded. “He didn’t look all that into Lola, did he?”
Jamie laughed. “He was sweating. Looked scared to me.”
Upstairs, Jamie rewarded Tessa for her hard work with a thorough brushing, disposing of the tuffs of fur in the trashcan. Then she sat, her gaze glued to the monitors while her fingers scratched behind Tessa’s ears. The small action served to calm her nerves. She was worried their search might have unforeseen consequences.
The secure satellite phone rang. “Burke here,” she said into the receiver.
“Burke, this is Teague. Just checking in.”
“No movement here,” she told Teague, who manned the operations shack at Charter’s base camp. “We conducted a search of the residence today but didn’t find those weapons.”
“Might have to settle in for while. How you holding up? Bored yet?”
His tone was laced with sarcasm. He knew all too well how cushy their stakeout was. “We’re keeping frosty, Teague. But you’re missing some fresh snapper tonight.”
“Haven’t met you yet, Burke, but you’re already on my shit list.”
At his curmudgeonly tone, she grinned, not the least bit intimidated. She’d met NCOs just like him. They masked concern with biting grumpiness. “Any messages you want me to pass along?”
“Just tell those SEALs they better not get too fat.”
Jamie relaxed in her chair. “I’ll do that, Teague. Out here.” After the call ended, she did squats behind the desk. Then lunges. Anything to keep her ass from going dead in the chair.
At last, Lola’s car pulled in next door. Jamie flipped the microphone switch. “Guys, Calvin and Lola are back.”
Lola and Calvin appeared at the side gate. Calvin held a large mesh bag filled with round shapes.
She grinned. They’d have melon tonight.
Facing Calvin, Lola held still as the big man backed up a step.
“Calvin, don’t be a wuss,” Jamie murmured, surprised that she was invested in having this charade play out the right way.
Calvin’s shoulders straightened, and he reached out, tucked a finger under Lola’s round chin, and gave her a quick kiss before escaping.
Jamie was still smiling when Calvin’s voice drifted up the stairs.
“Mmm-mm. The woman knows her fruit!”
A romance in the making, Jamie was sure. Too bad Lola worked for the bad guys.
A few minutes later, Piper entered the room, bearing tall glasses of iced tea. “It’s sweetened. Hope you’re not watching your figure.” She settled into the chair next to Jamie’s. “But I imagine you need the calories...”
Jamie covered her face and groaned, before cutting Piper a sideways glance. “Did we make too much noise?”
“Define too much,” Piper said, then gave her a wink. “Didn’t hear a thing, but you took the bait anyway. So, you and Sky...?”
Cheeks burning, Jamie cleared her throat. “We live together. We met on another assignment a few months ago. Well, actually, we first met over a couple of years ago, but back then, we were both active duty.”
Her eyebrows winged high. “So, you rekindled your romance?”
“Wasn’t any romance going on when we were in Afghanistan.” Her stomach clenched as she remembered the one mission they’d shared and the moment the bomb had gone off in the house they’d been searching. She’d been at the top of the stairs and found herself falling. He’d caught her. After that incident, he’d been her secret crush. “He saved my life.”
“That makes an impression on a girl.”
“Yeah, it does. Anyway, we’re living in Montana now. He’s always underfoot when he’s not on assignment. When he’s home its nice, because he cleans and cooks while I’m out tailing felons.”
Piper’s gaze studied her expression. “Wolf says Charter offered you a job.”
Jamie shrugged and flicked her gaze back to the monitors. “They did. But I turned them down. I like what I do. And I’ve got a good crew.” A smile crept over her face as she thought of Brian and Reaper.
“Tell me about them. You have anyone like Calvin?”
Shaking her head, Jamie laughed. “Nope, I have a surly Viking for a partner.”
Piper’s eyes widened. “Do tell.”
“He’s a dick. But we work well together.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You ever date this Viking? Not that it’s any of my business...”
“No. He’s...attractive enough. Big, brawny. But like I said—a dick. Did his best when I started with the agency to make my life miserable.”
“And now?”
“We respect each other. Have each other’s backs.”
Piper rested her chin on her hand. “I kind of miss the game, you know? But I’d never give up this chance working with Wolf. Not that I’m guaranteed we’ll be assigned the same missions. Still, I see him more now than I did when I was chasing bounties.”
Jamie felt a pang in her chest. The few separations she and Sky had were killers. Had she been wrong to turn down Charter? She really did love her work, but was it fair for her to put her job over their relationship?
“Ever have to get physical during a takedown?”
Jamie shook off the somber thoughts and grinned. It was nice having a friend like Piper, someone who’d walked in her shoes and understood some of the indignities. “Let me tell you about Jethro Mableton...”
From outside the door, Sky listened as Jamie regaled Piper with the story of just how she got the drop on old Jethro. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Calvin had sent him upstairs to tell the women dinner was nearly ready, and they better get their “cute butts downstairs, ’cause fish ain’t good cold.” He’d been ready to push open the cracked door when he’d heard Jamie talking about Reaper.
Now, Sky never worried about Jamie’s fidelity, but he couldn’t help the little flare of jealousy that arose when she described the guy as big and brawny. And a dick—with affection in her voice. Sky tried to let it go, but he couldn’t help the fact he was growing more and more possessive. Jamie’s mine, dammit. Maybe he needed to have a little talk with Reaper when they got home. Girding his loins, he pushed open the door, and the hinge squeaked.
Both women glanced backward.
Was that a flush of guilt making Jamie’s face pink? “Dinner’s ready,” he said, his voice growling.
The women shared a quick glance.
“How long you have you been hovering outside that door?” Piper asked, her mouth beginning to curve.
Heat filled his face. “Calvin said fish ain’t good cold.” He turned, wrapping the tatters of his pride around him, and stomped out of the room.
Downstairs, he helped Calvin bring out the dishes to the patio then seated himself. Wolf had already set the table and was knocking back a beer.
The women, with Tessa trailing behind, ambled outside.
Jamie took her seat beside him and gave him a wary glance. “You okay?” she asked softly.
“I’m fine.” And he would be. Maybe he was hungry. Maybe that was making him edgy and ready to start a fight. Didn’t have anything to do with the dick she worked with.
Calvin set down a platter with fried filets, lightly breaded, in the center of the table. Their meal consisted of fish, mashed potatoes with chives, and roasted asparagus. The last dish dropped on the table was sliced honeydew. “Not a word about the damn melons,” Calvin said with a warning nod.
Piper and Wolf grinned. Jamie didn’t smile. She was still studying Sky’s expression, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth.
His problem with Reaper was just that—his problem. He was the o
ne who’d turned down the job with Fetch’s agency. He’d decided to stay with Charter where he was gone on assignment for weeks on end.
He was being an ass.
Taking a deep breath, and letting his jealousy slide off his back, he reached for Jamie’s hand and held it atop his knee. Then he leaned toward her and kissed her in front of their new friends. He’d have to remember to do that in front of Reaper, just in case the man ever had thoughts about making a move on his woman.
When he pulled away, Jamie licked her lips. “What was that about?”
“Me saying sorry.”
“I was wondering if I should apologize to you,” she said, an edge of worry in her tone.
Her brown eyes were wide and a little moist for his comfort. He shook his head. “You’ve done nothing to be sorry about.”
“Then she didn’t tell you the story about ole Jethro,” Piper murmured from across the table. She stuck a fork in a filet and placed it on her plate. Then she passed the platter to Wolf.
Sky’s mouth twitched. Piper was a smart woman. Smarter and prettier than Wolf deserved. She knew he’d heard everything and had been stewing about it ever since.
“Okay, now I gotta know,” Calvin said, leaning his elbows on the table.
Slowly, Sky grinned. “Yeah, tell us the story.”
Chapter 6
Their laid-back respite ended in the early morning hours, with Wolf standing beside their bed. At the first nudge against his naked thigh, Sky awoke. “What’s happening?” he said, flipping up the sheets to cover Jamie cuddling against him.
“Estevez arrived,” Wolf said softly. “His crew’s in the house. He’s showering. Piper said they’re talking about a meeting at a warehouse near the airport.”
“Any mention of moving weapons?” He shifted his legs over the edge of the bed.
“Yeah. At least we think so. He said the heat would be off before breakfast.”
“Teague know?” He dragged a hand over his face.
“Piper’s talking with him now. He’s mustering the team. As soon as Estevez and his men get back out on the road, they’ll be in the sky.” Wolf pointed a finger between them. “You two get dressed.”
When the door closed, Jamie groaned. “That wasn’t the least bit embarrassing.”
Because she’d already shot out of the bed and was dressing, Sky didn’t give much weight to what she said. She tended to chatter when the adrenaline began to pump and her dog wasn’t on the end of a lead.
They both dressed in dark clothing—black cargo pants and long-sleeved tees. Then they hit the comms room where they donned Kevlar and holstered weapons. The rest of the team stood dressed and waiting, gazes glued to the monitors.
While Estevez’s team was fanned out around the house, Lola bustled around the upstairs of the mansion, cursing under her breath as she carried an armload of dark clothing to help prepare her boss for the meeting.
“And she seemed so sweet and innocent,” Calvin said, shaking his head. “She just shouted through the bathroom door that he better watch his back. She doesn’t trust Jorge Ochoa and his beady little eyes. Damn, she knows what kind of business he’s in.”
Wolf raised the sat phone. “Hey, Teague. I think they’re meeting someone called Jorge Ochoa. You know who that is?” He glanced around the room. “He’s talking to Bryson.” A moment later, his eyebrows lowered. “He’s a lieutenant with the Zetas.”
Sky stiffened. He shot a narrowed glance at Jamie. The Zeta cartel, the largest and most ruthless in Mexico, was run by ex-Federales, most of whom derived their tactical training from Israeli Mossad.
“That can’t be good,” Calvin mumbled.
Wolf continued listening then lowered the phone. “Calvin, you stay here in comms and keep watch on Lola. Ladies, I’m asking you to do the same. Sky and I can follow Estevez at a distance to tag their location.”
“No way.” Piper shook her head. “I’m an operative, same as you. This is my job. And we’re only following, not engaging, right?”
Wolf’s mouth thinned. “We aren’t the heroes this time, Piper.”
Piper lifted her chin. “I hear you, but you’re still not leaving me behind.”
Sky glanced at Jamie, whose chin was held just as high. His gut tightened. “Ah, hell. If it gets bad, if we’re made, we’re dropping you two on the side of the road.”
Jamie slowly nodded. “I understand, but Tessa and I are both coming. None of us knows how this meeting will go down. You need more bodies so we can remain flexible.”
Calvin went to the gun rack and picked up a shotgun. “Since I’m gonna be on my own, I’m not leaving things to chance in case old Lola comes across the yard packing.”
Sky’s mouth twitched. He really liked this crew. Everyone was steady as a rock and capable. Plus, he was selfish enough to want to keep Jamie close where he could personally see to her safety. “Let’s get to the SUV. Soon as they leave, we’re tailing them.”
“Wish we could get close enough to mount a tracker on Pablo’s vehicle.” Wolf frowned.
“Can’t risk it.” Piper pointed at the monitor on the far right. “He’s got a man in the garage.”
“We’ll have to call in coordinates,” Wolf said, grabbing a hand-held GPS device.
Sky turned to Jamie and pulled at the Velcro tabs of her vest, tightening the garment around her torso. He glanced at the holster strapped to her thigh and the ammo pouch on her web belt. When he was satisfied, he bent to pull a black cap from a drawer. “Put this on. Your hair’s as bright as a beacon.”
Jamie didn’t argue, tucking her ponytail beneath the cap.
Then Sky handed out helmets and four sets of night-vision goggles.
Wolf held a Navy MK11 sniper rifle in one hand, a sat phone in the other. “Cal, let us know when we can raise the garage door.”
The team headed downstairs to the garage to a black SUV sitting beside the limo. Wolf and Sky slid into the front seats. The women climbed in back. Sky would drive to keep Wolf’s hands free in case they came under fire.
Sky tried not to think of worse-case scenarios, but that’s how his mind worked. If he didn’t think it, he couldn’t plan a way to avoid getting hurt or killed. Now, he had Jamie to consider as well. The silence stretched inside the vehicle as they waited for the call. Fifteen minutes later, the sat phone rang.
Wolf switched on the speaker.
“The chicken’s left the coop,” Calvin said in an exaggerated whisper.
Wolf snorted. “Hope like hell that means it’s time to roll.”
“Rock ʼn roll, baby. They headed right. Stay on their asses.”
Sky hit the automatic door opener switch at the top of the windshield. He started the engine but killed the lights. They’d be operating in blackout conditions, so the vehicles they followed wouldn’t detect them.
In minutes, they were on the highway, heading toward the airport, with only moonlight and the taillights ahead to show them the way.
Estevez’s small convoy slowed beside a fenced-in warehouse complex.
Sky pulled to the side of the road less than a quarter of a mile from the gates. They watched as someone rolled them back, and then the convoy drove inside, turning left at the fourth row of buildings, and disappearing.
“This position is the best we can do,” Wolf said. “We’ll stay parked.”
Sky scanned their surroundings, looking for a likely spot for the team from base camp to land. A large open field sat opposite the warehouses. He tapped Wolf’s shoulder and pointed toward it.
Wolf nodded then turned in his seat and handed the GPS and the sat phone to Piper. “Get to the far side of that field and call in the coordinates to Teague. As soon as the capture team hits the ground, you lead them in.”
Her mouth tightened, but she nodded. “Stay safe. No heroes today.” She let herself out of the vehicle and ran into the field, the darkness swallowing her slim figure within seconds.
Sky turned to Jamie and drew a deep breath. “We’ve
been here before, babe.”
“Yeah, I’ll stay behind you. Just like Kandahar. I won’t move unless you tell me to.”
After donning helmets and night-vision gear, the remaining three, along with Tessa, let themselves out of the vehicle. Crouched low, they sped along the fence line.
Rather than risk being spotted at the gates, they chose a place twenty yards to the east. Wolf cut a hole in the chain link and dropped the wire cutters. They slipped through the fence, then raced to the far end of the row of buildings. Using the deepest shadows, they moved from building to building, one person taking a knee to cover them with a weapon as the group leapfrogged toward the fourth row.
There, Sky darted a glance around the corner. In the greenish light of his night-vision goggles, he spotted Estevez, in a dark suit, his back turned as he shouted orders to the men rolling crates from an opened warehouse door. His business manager, Salazar, stood by his side, his bald head reflecting the spotlight shining from the window of a white van. “Estevez is there. They’ve rolled out containers. Must be Ochoa’s van they’re moving them toward.”
Wolf edged toward the corner, knelt, and set an elbow on his raised knee to steady his rifle as he sighted down the barrel. “Not liking what I see, man,” he whispered. “Ochoa’s men are moving on the other side of the van. Looks like an ambush.”
Before Sky could draw a breath, gunfire rang out, small, bright explosions accompanying the pops of small arms and rattles of semiautomatic rifles.
In moments, silence descended. Sky cast a quick glance at Jamie to verify her position. She gave him a nod.
“Piper, tell Teague Ochoa’s men just took out Estevez and his crew,” Wolf whispered.
“Roger that. The helos are five minutes out.”
“Copy that.”
Sky and Wolf shared charged glances.
Sky glanced around the corner at the two vehicles Ochoa’s men hovered around. “They can’t drive out of here,” Sky said. “We’ll lose our chance at recovering those weapons.”
“We’ll have to hold them down with gunfire long enough for the team to arrive and do their sweep.”
Sky glanced back at Jamie who sat silently, her hand wrapped over the top of Tessa’s muzzle to keep her calm and silent. Maybe she read his expression in her goggles.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Head Over SEAL (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Uncharted SEALs Book 11) Page 5
