She started running toward the rubber boat. Maybe she’d have a whole pack of men coming after her. That would make Jade laugh, for sure. She knew her friend would understand. This whole operation was a favor for her anyway. She didn’t have to follow any damn protocol.
Hell, she’d been hoping Kirk would follow. She really, really wanted to be with him this time. Mark’s love for his wife made her ache with need. She wanted Kirk to get to know her so well that he’d love her like Mark loved his wife.
* * * *
Kirk took a few steps, then stopped himself. He couldn’t just abandon—
“Just go, man,” Dec dismissed him. “We all do what we have to do to get the job done. I suspect your handler will call and tell you not to bother negotiating. Get in touch with me ASAP. She’ll hand over the note and cell phone once you’re out of the dark. Shane, let’s get to Brady and have a talk with Mark’s partner. Jed’s right. We’ve get out of here before the local authorities come and take him away from us.”
Kirk didn’t need to be told twice. He ran after his woman.
“Hell, his job includes a dream vacay?” he heard someone behind him grumble.
“GEM operative, dude. He won’t be dreaming or vacationing much.”
Kirk reached out and caught Surya’s hand and she turned her face toward him. The moon shone right on her expression and it made him catch his breath. They both ran, side-by-side, toward the inflatable.
“Last one in gets a spanking later,” she told him.
“Perempuanjahat,” he retorted. “Your ass is mine.”
* * * *
Mark turned to the man who had silently followed him. He’d kept up without any trouble, which told him, in spite of being a dozen or so years older, he was in top condition.
“This is it.” Mark pointed to the barricaded compound. “I know how to get in and out of there.”
“You lied, didn’t you? They don’t know you’re coming.”
He gave the other man credit. Not only in good shape, but had the brains to see through Mark’s desperation. What was his name again? Jed. “The woman back there. She said something earlier. We take care of our friends, she said. That’s where I’ve failed. I’ve let my friends down, men who had my back when I needed them, men who fought beside me for years. I didn’t think it through and it’s cost the life of Dec and Shane’s mother. She was the sweetest lady, after my own mother.” Mark looked away. “I’m ashamed. Yet, I’m also not. I’ve bought enough time to get my own wife and baby to safety. I’ve got your promise that they’ll be taken care of. Right?”
“Yes.”
He nodded. “I have to believe you. They’re no longer my friends, my teammates, my blood brothers, yet Surya’s words gave me hope. Because friends take care of each other, she said. Even though you and I aren’t, I have to take you at your word. This is how fucking wrong my world has become. I have to depend on strangers other than my own friends.” He took in a deep breath and continued, “I’ve been inside there before and have made sure there are places for me to sneak back in. I’m a fucking SEAL. I don’t trust any damn terrorist. I’m going in there and will take out the whole damn nest. I’ll need half an hour. Goodbye, Sir.”
The man gave him his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Mark shook it and discovered a card in his palm.
“The world isn’t black and white, son,” Jed said, his low gravelly voice soft in the semi-darkness. “If you survive this, if you get this job done, get ahold of me.”
“And if I don’t get it done?” Mark countered. It was highly unlikely he would make it out in time. He’d already accepted that fact. But this man’s offer made him curious.
Jed cocked his head to the side. His strange light eyes gleamed in the moonlight. “I suppose a SEAL can’t always beat the odds,” he said. “Good luck.”
Mark watched him disappear into the trees. Fucking weird fuck. What kind of man would throw out a challenge like that when there was no hope? He took a deep breath and turned toward the compound.
“Beat the odds,” he muttered.
* * * *
Using binoculars, they all watched from afar. Waiting.
Then, there was a slow roar, an avalanche of sound that echoed like ominous thunder, the familiar rumble of explosives. The whole island lit up, flames shooting miles high in the distance.
Soon, there would be helicopters and air patrols on the way. McNeil had a way of getting governments to cooperate, especially when the glory became theirs to take. Saving a convention full of Interpol personal—that would make worldwide headlines. The SEALs faded into the darkness, their CRRCs taking them back to the waiting submarine. The other operatives guided their crafts into international waters to await further orders.
Dec and Shane grimly looked on for a second or two longer. Then they too turned.
“Home,” Dec said.
“Then we go after the bastards, one by one,” Shane said.
* * * *
