From what Jagger remembered from the personnel file Talia had been kind enough to provide, the former Naval aviator was also a talented weapons specialist. When they’d first met, Jagger had thought the guy looked more like a California surfer than the solid operator he knew Brown to be. Of course, he knew better than most that there was always more to someone than what they allowed the world to see.
“There is no ISB three,” Brown answered Talia’s trick question accurately. “Once we reach the rows of storage containers, we’ll officially be in the area of operations.”
“Excellent.” The woman in charge nodded with approval before turning her attention to the remaining Echo members. “Okay, Mercer,” she addressed the man who’d been hired as the new team’s medic. “We’re almost to the finish line. Take us through the next step in our mission.”
Lucas Mercer. Six-two. Two-twelve. Forty-two years old.
The man stepped out from the shadows to share the next-to-the-final portion of their plan. There was a wisdom in hisnarrow, blackened gaze. A knowledge that came from only one source.
Haunting images from traumatic events in the past. Living pictures that were never very far away.
“Once we’re past the containers,” Lucas began, “we’ll make our way into the red zone. This is where we’ll be out in the open. Exposed. It’s also where we’ll meet the most resistance.”
Resistance. A nice way of saying the men who would most definitely try to kill Jagger and the others the second their cover was blown.
“It’s also where we should find the cache of weapons we’ve been tasked with securing,” the medic finished.
Talia didn’t waste a breath before chiming back in. “Once we’ve located and restrained each of the men on Arlo Sanchez’s payroll, we will do what, Baxter?” She turned her focus to the final member of Echo Team.
Jimmy Baxter. Six-foot even. Two-oh-eight. Forty-three years old.
Sounding slightly bored in his delivery, the former Army Ranger and Echo’s lead sniper blew out a breath before wrapping up the final step in their plan.
“From there, we stand guard over the cartel assholes and the guns they’re trying to sell until your secret team of government ghosts swoops in to make it all go away.”
The muscles in the back of Jagger’s neck tensed and his brows dipped inward when, at first, he felt annoyed by the other man’s seemingly poor attitude. But then he remembered how anxious he’d felt during his first official R.I.S.C. op and figured the guy was just tired of waiting for the action to begin.
I hear ya, brother.
“Remember.” Talia addressed the entire group. “We need to keep as many of these guys alive as we can. Each and every oneof them is leverage we can use against Sanchez. We get them to turn on their boss, we bring down the entire Los Dios Cartel.”
“Ifyou can get them to turn,” Jimmy muttered.
The stunning Homeland agent turned her serious expression his way. “You bring them to me alive, Baxter, and I’ll get them to talk.”
Wonder if she’ll let me watch.
“What are we waiting for then?” Baxter stared back. “I say we get this party started.”
Jagger couldn’t agree more.
After another quick check of the time, Talia reached up to the left shoulder of her vest. “Perfect timing.” Her beautiful, moonlit eyes returned to those around her. “Switch to comms.”
He and the others mimicked her movement by turning on their individual communications devices. Reaching up to his left ear, Jagger confirmed the tiny earbud there was on and its volume was turned up full blast.
With their weapons held steady in their grip, he and the others waited for the official green light to be given.
“Stay sharp out there.” Talia gave the final part of her speech. “There are a lot of blind spots, so you’re going to have to be ready. Watch your partner’s back with one eye and keep another on your own six. And remember…the ultimate goal is for us all to come out of the other side of this thing alive…after we’ve completed a successful mission. So stay safe, and let’s get the job done.”
“Copy that, boss.” Draven gave her a quick nod.
No one else offered anything more because there wasn’t anything left to be said. They knew the plan. They had their orders. All that was left to do was?—
“Let’s move.”
On the woman’s command, Jagger sidled up next to his partner and the group of thirteen began the short walk throughthe trees. Thanks to their training, their booted steps were near-silent despite the downed sticks and limbs around them.
Talia raised a fist in the air that brought them all to an immediate halt. With one final glance to those around her, the capable woman pointed forward, indicating it was time to boogie.
