“Hawk, we’ll have to call Center to get help here,” Marlena said quietly. “You know they’ll ask us to go check on the weapons cache first.”
“She’s right,” Steve said. “They will ask for the status on the bomb.”
“Fuck the bomb.” Hawk meant it. “I need a vehicle and we’re going back to Velesta.”
“Look, there’s a note.” Marlena pointed to the windshield.
Steve snatched the note that was stuck between the glass and wiper. “‘Bring the bomb to me and you get her back,’” he read. He glanced up. “What do you want to do, cuz? I’m with you, whatever you need.”
Hawk nodded. He knew Steve understood what he was going through. When Marlena was missing in D.C., his cousin had enlisted his help and had even gone off to destroy an entire luxury sailboat to get his woman back.
“This is going to be more than a dozen armed thugs,” he said quietly. “Dilaver’s got an army in Velesta and he should have the compound fortified by now.”
“Draw it up. Let me see it. Then we’ll make plans,” Steve said.
“My darlings,” Marlena interrupted. “Can I interject here and make a suggestion? Like, let’s go to the weapons cache and then call Center?”
“Lena, we can worry about the bomb later. We have to find a way back to Tirana to get…” Steve paused and smiled wryly at his wife. “Sorry, love, my bad…. Hawk, we have weapons nearby—that cache itself. It makes sense to go there.”
Hawk frowned as he figured out a way to get out of there. Marlena slipped in between Steve and him and stood quietly till he gave her his whole attention. Her blue eyes, a little darker than Amber’s, didn’t have their usual flirty sparkle. They were cool and assessing as they caught his gaze.
“We need Center to get us transport out of here,” she said. “It’s the quickest way. And you’ll have all the weapons you need.”
Hawk returned her gaze levelly. “Tell me the truth, Marlena. You know Center doesn’t give a hoot about Amber. They will want the bomb and won’t let me use it for an exchange.”
Marlena nodded. “Yes, you’re right, but we can use a decoy.”
“That’s fine and dandy, but they didn’t even allow me to cancel Dilaver because he’s still an asset. I’m not going to endanger Amber to please them.” Hawk turned to the Jeep. “If I have to I’ll go there myself with what weapons I have.”
Marlena laid a hand on his shoulder. “Call Jed, then,” she said. “He’ll find a way, Hawk. Jed’s Number Nine in his group and it’s his job to finish up any operations. He makes the final decision for the COS commandos. He won’t leave anyone behind if he can help it.”
Hawk stilled. That was right. Jed and Amber had talked as if they were good friends. “Okay,” he said. He pulled out the cell phone from the duffel bag. “Since you two aren’t supposed to be here, I’ll try not to mention your presence.”
Marlena’s smile was classic Marlena—sly and sultry. “If you have to, do it. I can have my honeymoon anywhere I choose,” she told him, then turned and walked back to Steve.
As the other two pulled out their gear from the vehicle, Hawk dialed the numbers and went through the usual indirect routing. He finally got hold of Jed McNeil. He gave an account of what had happened as quickly and succinctly as he could, then waited as Jed kept silent.
“We’ll get Amber,” he finally said, “but you have to go to the cache and get the bomb. When you’re there, activate your watch. I’ll find you.”
Hawk frowned. The watch had been a recording and uploading device. “I’m not sure what you mean. I activate it to steal the coordinates from Dilaver’s system. How would you locate me?”
“Ask Marlena to show you,” Jed said, and cut off.
Hawk put away the cell. “I didn’t mention your names, but he knows you’re here with me,” he told the other two. He showed them his watch. “He said Marlena would know how to use this to let him know how to locate us.”
Marlena crossed her arms, then turned and glared at Steve. “I hate those commandos.”
Steve grinned at Hawk, then showed him his wrist. He was wearing the same watch. “Wedding present,” he said, trying not to laugh. “His and hers watches.”
Hawk frowned. “What is it?”
“It’s obviously some kind of tracking unit,” Marlena said angrily. “Sneaky bastard. I’m going to kill him too. Right after I kill those who got us.”
“No,” Hawk said. “Dilaver’s mine. Now let’s go get the bomb and wait for Jed.”
“I didn’t find the weapon on them. Time’s running short, so I revised the plan. I have Amber Hutchens with me and left a note. He’ll bring the bomb in exchange for the hostage. Make sure you keep her alive till Hawk McMillan shows up. He’ll want to see her before he gives you anything in exchange.”
Amber didn’t move as she listened with her eyes closed. It was useless anyway. There wasn’t any way to loosen the ropes around her. She couldn’t believe that this was Lily speaking. It was her voice, but there was something different about its tone. It was flat, without emotion.
