Fargo’s mouth tightened as he muttered a curse. “Why isn’t the ATF or the FBI’s hostage rescue team dealing with this? It’s what they’re trained for.”
Wrath switched to another screen showing a winding mountain road. “I asked the same. The answer is in the terrain. HRT is trained for all environments, but their strength is in urban settings. Don’t get me wrong. They could and would pull this off, but we’ve been tagged to bring the women home. The location is in the northern ranges of New Mexico.”
“Intel percentage, Prez?” Moses asked.
“Ninety. I’d like to see it higher. Grayson says the latest came from an undercover ATF agent. Zahir has associated with a branch of the Devils outside of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The agent is inside the Devils.”
“Names?” Fuse grabbed a tablet and pen from the center of the table.
“Grayson is pulling together what he can, but for our mission, the names aren’t relevant.” Wrath switched back to the images of the young women. “The one on the right is Ava Wagner. Twenty. Student at University of Colorado. Spiked red hair, tats, and piercings in her eyebrows. The one on the left is Alena Wagner. Twenty-two. Graduate student at the same school. Brown hair, no tats, and no piercings other than one in each ear. Ghost is leading Team A, which includes Fargo and Gunner. Rock, Team B, with Moses and Tracker. Wrangler has Team C, with Fuse and Banner. We hit from three sides. Expect heavy resistance. The intel says at least ten men are guarding them. Assume more.
“Grayson is launching two helos for transport. Rendezvous for both will be at the usual spot at nine tonight.” He looked at his watch. “You have almost ten hours before wheels up. Use the time to go over the extraction plan with your team leaders until you’ve got it memorized.” He passed out the assignments, letting the men scan the documents. “As you can see, each team is comprised of three men total. Moses, you’re back on active duty. Sniper and medic.”
A round of whoops and cheers followed Wrath’s announcement, Tracker slapping him on the back.
Fargo grinned. “Nine of us against about the same of them? It won’t even be a fair match, Prez.”
“Don’t get cocky. We don’t know their capabilities. Intel says this group of Devils includes former Special Forces.”
“Sonsofbitches,” Fuse growled, echoing the thoughts of the others around the table. “We should put them down like the dogs they are.”
“Save it for the mission, Fuse. Final SITREP at seven thirty tonight. Until then, gentlemen.”
Ali glanced at Raider through the front window from her position at the intake desk for emergency services. He paced outside, vigilant, even though he must be bored. Three days watching her with no sign of trouble. She found herself wondering how much longer Wrath would keep him on what appeared to be a waste of time.
Ali wondered if he would contact her after he was pulled. It had been the best few days of her life, full of passion, laughs, and a comradery she’d experienced with no other man. He’d been tender and attentive, even somewhat open about the Brethren. After the bombing at WETC, it had become obvious to Ali the MC wasn’t one of the criminal gangs dotting the country.
As close as they’d become, she still had no idea of what lay ahead. A few days didn’t make a relationship, no matter how she hoped it would. They’d shared meals and her bed, making love over and over each night. Every morning Ali woke in his arms, warning herself to expect Jace to walk away at any time, without a backward glance. That was who he was, what he’d always be. A man committed to his job and teammates, but never a woman.
“You sure do have a hot bodyguard. How in the world did you land someone like him?” The employee behind the desk had been with the hospital forever. Middle-aged with two grown children and a husband who worked for a local manufacturer, she’d fallen into the habit of living through the younger women in the department.
“He’s temporary. I expect he’ll be gone soon.”
“I heard about the biker who threatened you. The guard told me it was one of those Night Devils. They don’t often come into town, but when they do, they cause trouble. I’m glad you have a young man to watch over you.”
Do I? Ali thought while watching Jace come inside, not spotting her. A few seconds after entering, a woman in her twenties, lithe with brown hair and an infectious smile, called out to him.
“Raider?” Walking up to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his mouth before Ali could even blink.
The broad smile, the way he wrapped his arms around her waist, told Ali he knew her…well. The knowledge made her sick. He hadn’t mentioned another woman, but why would he?
“It’s been way too long. I’ve missed you.” It wasn’t a whine or plea, more a statement of fact.
“It has been a while, Heidi.” He stared down at her, oblivious to those around them. “What have you been up to?”
Neither stepped out of each other’s arms as she spoke about her job teaching, the younger sister who lived with her, and how dull her life had become.
“You really should come over for dinner sometime. I’ll make the chicken enchiladas you like so much.”
Barking out a short laugh, he nodded. “Sure. It may be a few weeks until I’m free, but I’ll call you.”
She brushed another kiss across his lips before stepping away. “I’ll hold you to that. See you soon.”
Hearing enough, Ali turned her back on them, returning to the confines of the exam area. She could remember only one other time feeling as if she’d been punched in the gut. It was months ago when she’d caught her on-again, off-again boyfriend kissing one of her friends. This time felt so much worse.
Over the next hour, the reality of what she’d heard sank in. Jace had every intention of calling the woman, having dinner before completing the night in a way Ali couldn’t bear to think about.
When she’d dumped Tommy Beach, Ali had promised herself never again to let a man treat her with anything less than the respect she deserved. If Jace was ready to move on, then she’d rather it be sooner than later.
Working through lunch, ignoring the inquiry Jace had made about her to the woman up front, she finished her shift. Clocking out, Ali didn’t bother to look for him before heading out the back door to her Jeep. He’d followed her this morning in his truck, expecting to follow her home. Well, screw that.
Driving in the opposite direction of her home, Ali parked in the lot of a favorite BBQ restaurant. She’d meant to bring him here for dinner later tonight. Now all she wanted was time alone to think through what she’d heard and how to go forward.
One solution came to mind, although it hurt to think about. It was time Jace went back to his real job and let her get back to her life. A few days didn’t make a relationship. Not a serious one. As much as she’d hoped for more, Ali accepted her time had run out.
When she got home, if he was still there, she’d send him on this way, ignoring how much she wanted him to stay.
“Is Nurse Kasey still in the back?” Raider leaned against the counter, glancing at the woman behind it while watching the double doors.
“My heavens, no. Ali got off a little early. Left at least an hour ago.”
Straightening, he stared at her. “Left?”
“Well, yes.” Pursing her lips, she lowered her voice, leaning forward. “It might have had something to do with your lady friend. She was a pretty little thing.” The woman lifted a brow.
Shit. He hadn’t known Ali had seen him with Heidi. Thinking back on what they said, his stomach pitched, remembering how they’d been holding each other. Not to mention the two quick kisses.
“Ali’s such a nice girl. Didn’t say a word, although she did turn a little green when the two of you were kissing.”
Kissing? He remembered them as friendly pecks, nothing more. Thinking of Heidi’s invitation to dinner, he winced. “Did Ali hear—”
The woman waved him off with a flick of her hand. “Every word.”
Feeling a
little sick himself, he thanked the woman and left. Climbing into the truck, he went through the entire conversation with Heidi. Yeah, he could see where Ali would get the wrong impression, believe Heidi was important to him.
They’d had a three month affair almost two years ago, the longest period of time he’d seen a woman in years. As usual, he’d called it off. Heidi had been gracious. No crying or whining about him leaving, inviting him to call if he changed his mind.
He almost had, several times. Of all the women over the years, Heidi had been the closest he’d come to anything approaching a commitment. Then he’d left for WETC and met Ali. All thoughts of Heidi fled, his mind filled with a gorgeous, olive-skinned, exotic-featured woman who’d been his nurse for a short time.
They’d shared one kiss while he was under her care, yet it had emblazoned itself on his mind. He’d been with a couple women since. One-nighters, leaving him unfulfilled and wanting Ali even more.
Sitting in the cab of the truck, Raider thought of the rare times he’d been with a woman more than two nights in a row. It had already been twice that with Ali, and he’d begun to feel a little hemmed in.
Which made no sense when paired with the ache in his chest when she wasn’t close. Like now. The thought of not seeing her again left a gaping hole in the area of his heart, and he sure as hell didn’t like it.
Pulling onto the road, he drove straight to Ali’s house. Not seeing her Jeep, he tried to think of where she might go. Had she mentioned a place to grab dinner tonight?
Scrubbing both hands through his hair, he concentrated on their last conversation. He’d suggested a burger place for lunch, but they hadn’t discussed dinner. Frustrated, he pulled the vibrating phone from his pocket.
“Yeah, Wrath.”
“I need you at the clubhouse, Raider. A mission’s going down tonight and I’ll need both you and Petty Officer Lane.”
Dammit. “I’m on my way.” Tossing the phone onto the seat, he backed out of her driveway. He wanted to see Ali, clear up any misconceptions about Heidi, but the mission came first. It would always come first.
Perhaps now was the time to think through what he wanted in his future, and if it included Ali Kasey.
Chapter Sixteen
“All the guys are gone, Ali. Wrath met with Ghost and most of the others this morning. None of us have seen our men since.” Dani sat on the sofa at her place, sharing a bottle of wine, cheese, and crackers with Tessa, Cara, Becca, Julia, Tori, and Ali.
It had been a spur of the moment decision for the wives to get together. Since she wasn’t one of the wives, Ali’s invitation had been a surprise. As Dani’s best friend, she often was included in their gatherings. Tonight, Becca’s son, Jamie, and Tessa’s son, Travis, were in the large family room. Tessa and Dani held Cara’s twins, Wyatt and Clayton, while Becca rocked her young daughter, Sarah, on her lap.
“I didn’t expect Jace to call. It’s not like we’re together. Wrath ordered him to watch after me for a few days after the incident at the hospital.” Ali had already explained to the women about Digger threatening her.
“Then you and Raider aren’t an item?” Julia drank a glass of orange juice, inhaling the cheese and crackers. The pregnancy hadn’t changed her eating habits much, other than eliminating her evening glass of wine with Tracker and the amount of food she ate increasing more each day.
Feeling her chest constrict, Ali shook her head. “Not at all. In fact, someone named Heidi came by the hospital to visit him today.”
Cara lifted a brow. “Heidi? I thought he ended things with her a long time ago.”
Taking a sip of wine, Ali thought of the scene in the hospital. “Not from what I saw.”
Dani heard the quiver in her friend’s voice, knew she was hurting. When Ghost had asked Dani to leave after a few weeks together over a year ago, she’d been devastated. Ali had been her one confidant, sitting up evening after evening, allowing her to vent her anger and pain.
“Interesting,” Tessa said. “I heard about Heidi, but never met her.”
“She’s a teacher with a teenage sister. Their parents are gone, so Heidi is her guardian.” Cara rolled the stem of the wine glass between her fingers. “Real nice, pretty. At the time, I remember thinking how good she and Raider looked together. He’s blond with aqua blue eyes and a tan much like a surfer. She has brown hair, brown eyes, and olive skin.”
“They did look good together.” Ali didn’t add how much she wished they hadn’t. Even hours later, the image of them holding each other made her feel sick.
Was it less than fourteen hours ago he’d been thrusting inside her, telling her how beautiful she was, how much he wanted her? What a fool she’d been to believe any of it.
“You know, I was a teacher once.” Tori’s comment had them all turning toward her.
“When?” Cara asked.
“Before I was certain becoming a veterinarian was what I wanted, and long before meeting Dylan. It was an enjoyable job, just not for me.”
“From what I remember, Heidi loves her work.” Cara reached toward Tessa, shifting Wyatt into her arms. “It could be her teenage sister was a bit of a stumbling block for Raider.”
“Rock once told me Raider liked her a lot, but wasn’t ready to settle down with anyone. He dated her much longer than any other woman Rock remembers.”
“How long, Tessa?” Dani asked.
Grimacing, Tessa took another sip of wine before answering. “Three, maybe four months.” Hearing the stifled chuckles, she bit her lower lip. “I know. Not much time to make a decision, but longer than Raider’s lasted with anyone else.”
“Hell, Ghost kicked me out after less than half that long.”
“That’s because he recognized you were the one woman who could take him down, Dani. And he was right.” Grabbing a cracker, Tessa nibbled a little, then lowered it. “Rock took close to two years before he dropped his guard.”
“If you hadn’t been so afraid of his MC connections, he never would’ve left you alone,” Cara reminded her.
“I had a child to think about. Besides, I didn’t know the truth about them.” As if remembering Ali was in the room, and not a wife, Tessa winced. “I…”
“Don’t worry about it. I know a lot more about the Brethren than most think. And it’s not because of Jace. He’s said nothing. When you’re nursing someone and his friends keep coming around, they begin to start seeing you as a part of the furniture and talk more openly. There were only scattered bits and pieces, but enough for me to know they’re not the bad guys.”
The women fell silent for a few minutes, Becca leaving to check on her son, Jamie, who was taking care of Tessa’s son in the family room. It wouldn’t be long before Wyatt and Clayton joined the other boys.
“You know who’d be perfect for you, Ali?” Tori snatched a piece of cheese, idly placing it on a cracker.
“Who?”
“Gunner. He’s bright, handsome, a great sense of humor, and is ready for a relationship. If I hadn’t fallen in love with Dylan, Gunner would’ve been toast.”
“Isn’t he in love with that helo pilot?” Cara asked. “I think her name’s Sage.”
“They’re history,” Tori answered. “She asked for a transfer to the East Coast. He told me they text every once in a while, but he got the message loud and clear. It’s over. I feel bad for Gunner. He became a good friend after Dylan was transferred to the hospital in San Diego. You and he would be great together, Ali.”
She’d met Gunner once, and Tori was right. He seemed to be a great guy, one she might be able to create a future with if she wasn’t already in love with Jace. And if Gunner and Jace weren’t friends.
“I’m going to break the chain here, ladies, and find a man not associated with the Brethren,” Ali blurted, surprising them and herself. Still, it felt right. “There’s a doctor who’s asked me out a couple times.” Dani looked at her, eyes wide. Ali shrugged and continued. “Our schedules didn’t work then, but I’m sure we ca
n figure something out.”
“Also the handsome guy at the hardware store,” Dani added with more enthusiasm than she felt. “He owns the place and is very good-looking.”
“I know,” Tori said. “There’s a rancher who’s one of my clients. Jerrold something. Wealthy and damn handsome. Not as handsome as Dylan, but…”
“What are we talking about?” Becca returned, looking amongst them.
“We’re brainstorming men Ali can date,” Tori answered.
Sitting down with her legs tucked under her, Becca tapped a finger to her lip. “Does this mean one of the Brethren is out?”
“Way out. Not even on the same planet,” Ali confirmed.
“Okay then.” Becca continued tapping her lip. “What about Ethan?”
“The sheriff?” Ali asked, brows furrowed.
“I can’t believe I never thought of him,” Cara said. “He’s perfect. Gorgeous, scary smart, owns a beautiful house not far from Wrangler, and not a member of an MC. Although Wrath and Wrangler are, so it might count a little.”
Ali thought of the tall, handsome man. He would be perfect, but she knew it wouldn’t work. Ethan and his brothers were close, and Jace was friends with all three. She needed to meet someone not connected with the MC at all, where she wouldn’t run into Jace and his newest fling. Or worse, Heidi tucked against his side.
“Wrangler and I plan to have a party at our house this weekend. Assuming whatever they’re doing now ends by then. Ethan will be invited. It will be an easy way for you to hang out with him, Ali.” Becca leaned forward, picking up a slice of cheese before settling back in the chair.
“I’ll think about it.” Right now, the sight of Jace with Heidi was so new and confusing she had no enthusiasm for considering someone else. She’d fallen in love, and Ali believed it would be a long time before another man interested her.
Southern Colorado Mountains
Wrath listened to the reports from the three teams, now in position less than a mile from the cabin and over twenty from the tourist town of Telluride. There’d been no questions or last minute changes. The teams were set, ready for his order.
Exposed (Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Book 7) Page 11
