The words were said with a depth of honesty that made Sean’s shoulder loosen. He knew Alexei liked their time in bed together, but it was nice to know he also enjoyed the quiet moments with Seanaswell.
“I’m glad you’re here too.” Sean picked at the edge of the crunchy bread roll Alexei had used for the sandwich. “But I feel like I should go back and see my family this afternoon…I just don’t know what good itwoulddo.”
Alexei chewed his way through a rather large bite until he could speak through the food in his mouth. “Eat. Decide later. They comearound.”
“You don’tknowthat.”
“If mine can, after everything we go through,yourswill.”
Sean didn’t know Alexei’s background, not completely. He knew what he’d been allowed to read in Alexei’s file when ordered by the director to create the covers for Alpha Team. But reading something was different from hearing it firsthand. Yes, Sean knew some of Alexei’s background, knew a little about his family, but there was so much more to Alexei he wasn’tprivyto.
“Think they’d want to meet me?” Seanasked.
“Of course. You’re mine. Would share family with youalways.”
Sean took a bite of his sandwich to hide his smile, but the feeling of being wanted stayed with him through lunch and cleaning the dishes and Alexei’s wanderinghands.
He never did make it back to basethatday.
14
Blood on theScale
One dayof downtime was all everyone got before gettingrecalled.
Alexei wished he and Sean could have had more time together, but the latest mission coming down the pipeline was mandatory for just about every active field team the MDF could spare. The large deployment was unusual, but the reason behind the decision was met with grim determination by every member ofAlphaTeam.
“There is a very real possibility certain members of the CIA tipped off the Wolcott brothers about Agent Delaney and Staff Sergeant Dvorkin’s cover,” Nazari said flatly at the start of the afternoonbriefing.
Alexei scowled, shoving aside his anger in order to concentrate on what was being said. Every member of Alpha Team was in their specific combat uniform, sans weapon and tactical gear, even Sean. The director was overseeing their briefing while other high-ranking officers and agents handled the field teams under theircommand.
Jamie crossed his arms over his chest, attention focused on the director. “What are we doingaboutthat?”
“Nothing.” Nazari raised his hand, cutting off the team’s protests. “We aren’t going to bring it to the CIA’s attention at the moment. We don’t know who is trustworthy in that agency considering the person of interest is CIA Deputy Director Carter Bennett. I’m not keen on tipping them off while weinvestigate.”
“There’s a good chance they’re already aware we know, sir,” Sean spoke up from where he sat next toAlexei.
“Which is why we’re keeping our normal channels of communications open with them and acting like nothing has changed on thesurface.”
“And beneath that surface?” Jamieasked.
Nazari tapped at the screen embedded in the table, sending what was in his terminal to the center of the table. Layers of command windows popped up, duplicated in everyone’s terminal. Alexei eyed the documents arrayed in front of him, flipping from one tothenext.
“The MDF is looking into getting another FISA order to surveil the CIA deputy director. The request is still being researched and written. Part of the evidence we’re using to build up our argument coincides with our current problem. As you know, we’ve been probing the finances of North Star International since before the start of your latestmission.”
“Follow the money,” Katie said with afaintnod.
“Precisely.” Nazari highlighted one of the windows, expanding it so the timeline was easily readable. “North Star International holds a lot of government contracts for protection and added security of sensitive material, people, and locations in active warzones across the world. On the timeline, you’ll see the cities they’ve been present in over the years inblack.”
“And the cities in red?” Jamieasked.
“Those cities are where a Splice chemical bomb attack hasoccurred.”
Alexei leaned forward, studying the timeline in his terminal, skimming it to find the date of his mission in Geneva all those years ago. The time between North Star International arriving and leaving the city before the attack occurred was less than a week. Further perusal of the timeline showed the same close arrival and departure before Splice attacksoccurred.
“They were in Geneva,” Kyle statedflatly.
“And Belfast,” Sean said, jawtight.
