Page 11 of Rafe’s Future

“Aye, aye, Cap’n.” Bones gave sent him a grin and a half-assed salute.

“Good night, Bones.”

“’Night, Boss.”

Rafe offered the other man a slight smile before turning away. As he walked through the hospital’s labyrinth of corridors, there was only one thought rolling through his mind.

Whatever it took—no matter how long it took—he would find those who’d gone after his family. And when he did, he was going to ensure they never posed a threat to anyone else, ever again.

CHAPTER TWO

CIA training facility

Harvey Point, North Carolina

That same day . . .

Lena kept her pistol up and at the ready. Her legs carried her with fluid ease. The boots on her feet were silent in their purposeful steps as she kept her eyes on the shadowed hallway before her.

The sound of her own heartbeat made its presence known. Its rhythmical thumps filled her ears as she moved. Just a few more steps to go and she’d finally have her man.

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

She approached with caution, adjusting the grip on her weapon before coming to a complete stop. Her breaths came and went at a slow and steady pace as Lena willed herself to remain clear-headed.

At the same time, a shuffling sound came from somewhere close, just around the corner. It was so slight, she almost missed it, but luckily, Lena wasn’t the type to miss much of anything . . . ever.

A slow smirk began to grow from the corners of her lips.

Here we go.

She drew in a deep breath in preparation of what came next. Counting down from five, Lena took a step forward when she got to one. Her Glock 19 led the way as she rounded the corner with her arms stretched tautly in front of her.

With her target in sight, she didn’t hesitate when pulling the trigger. There was no loud bang or deafening boom. Only the telltale click, letting her know the gun’s chamber had been left empty.

The man with his back to her froze. His spine became stiff the moment he realized he was no longer alone.

Lena waited, watching her target closely for any hint of movement he was about to make. After a few tense seconds, the man before her released the tight grip on his rifle.

The weapon hung loosely from the straps attached to his vest as he slowly raised both hands into the air.

“Bang, bang, Officer Diaz.” She lowered the empty weapon down to her side. “Do you know what that means?”

“Yes, ma’am. It means I’m dead.”

“That’s right.” Lena holstered the training pistol and sighed. “And if you’re dead, what happens to your teammate? You know, the guy whose six you’re supposed to be watching?”

The embarrassed trainee turned around, the expression on his face giving away the anger he felt at himself. “He’s left open and vulnerable.”

Her brow arched high with a knowing stare. “Mmm hmm. And what happens when we’re left vulnerable while out in the field?”

“We die.”

“That’s right, Mr. Diaz. We die.” Lena gave a pointed nod. A breath later, she lifted her chin with a shouted, “Let’s go through it again!”

With near-simultaneous moves, both she and her trainee removed their night vision goggles seconds before the overhead lights powered on.

“Sorry, Director Price.”