Jordan looked at his old friend. “Doug?”
“Mom wants someone to go that Emme will know. Dad hired Titan when the NGO said they wouldn’t pay the ransom. Dad’s been out of the service for so long he may as well be a civilian. The only thing I know about special operations is what I’ve seen in the movies.” He snorted. “Hell, I have a hard time finding my way out of the parking garage at work some days.”
He paused, as if to collect his thoughts. “Our moms still talk. Mom knew you were in the Army and asked your mom where you were. Titan pulled some strings.”
“And you’re okay with this?” Jordan asked Westin. He couldn’t imagine a man who ran a private security company that did retrieval work in West Africa would be copacetic with bringing in an outsider.
His mouth twisted. “My wife was on board.”
Jordan looked at Colonel Bates, sitting back letting the conversation unfold.
“The order came from SOCOM directly,” the Colonel said. “There are added incentives.” He started at Jordan, waiting for him to ask.
He didn’t care what they had to offer. Still, he struggled with his conscience. There was no easy answer. Abandon his soldiers or abandon the people who were like a second family to him growing up. This Titan Group would go without him. Would more than likely succeed, if Jared Westin was any indication of the type of people they were. His presence, or lack of, wouldn’t determine the outcome of the operation, only provide peace of mind to the Frances.
“Please, Jordan. It’s Emme.” Doug’s voice wavered at the end.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll do it.”
Doug’s breath escaped him in a rush and he cradled his head in his hands. “Thank you.”
Jordan patted him on the shoulder and leveled his gaze at Westin. “Now what?”
Reaching into the inside breast pocket of his coat, Westin pulled out a business card and slid it across the table. “Twenty-two hundred showtime. Address is on the back. My contact info is on the front. Bring your three-day bag — civilian gear. We’ll kit you out.”
“Weapons?”
“Unless you have one you prefer, we’ll provide those too.” He stood and buttoned his coat. “If the operation goes as planned, we’ll have you back with your soldiers in under a week.”
He glared at Westin’s retreating back. Like any operation had ever gone as planned.
