Relentless Chase 4 (Troubles Brewing)

by Posey Parks

  “I love how your brain works. When you let your guard down…you’re so much fun to be around. We love the same music and I’m convinced we can have fun together anywhere. I told you before I don’t want to be left on this earth without you. I’d die of a broken heart.”

  My heartbeat quickened and I crashed my lips into his.

  Dr. Berman sniffled. “This was a great session. We’ll meet again soon.”

  A smile curled my lips. I came so far. Catering to my husband was my priority. I needed to be a better wife. He deserved nothing less.

  Caden’s screams brought me back from my memory. I rushed over, cradling him in my arms. “Sorry my little prince. Time for your morning snack.

  ~

  Scrolling through potential property listings to flip in the Calabasas area, my eyes gravitated to the time. Four thirty. Caden was taking his second thirty-minute nap. I scurried down the long hall toward the kitchen. The oven timer would sound in five minutes. I needed to cook the side dishes before Sebastian arrived in an hour. A door slammed behind me. I froze and my heart beat against my rib cage. Shit, the closest Glock was in the kitchen drawer.

  “Sydney.”

  I turned on the heels of my bare feet. “Jesus Sebastian, you scared the hell out of me.”

  “Sorry baby.” He closed the tunnel door.

  “You’re here early.” My brows rose. “Did something happen at work?”

  He stepped closer, stroking my hair. “No sweetheart, I missed you.”

  I wanted to leap into his arms and beg him to never leave, but I held back. My fingers curled into my palms.

  His hand slipped around my waist. “How was your day?”

  “I told you earlier when we spoke on your short lunch hour.”

  His smile faded. “You were vague. I want the truth.”

  The timer sounded.

  “I need to grab the chicken out of the oven.”

  He stepped back, shrugging off his gray suit jacket and tossed it on a beige chair. “I’ll handle the oven. You have a seat.”

  I cozied into the arm of the sofa.

  “How was Caden?”

  “Caden only cried once. He’s taking a power nap.”

  Sebastian returned, sitting close, pulling me into his arms. “I want to know how your day was.”

  I swallowed hard. “Dr. Berman and I had a chat this morning.”

  His forehead creased.

  “I was losing control. The thought of calling you…several times consumed me. So, I called her to talk me down. She said I needed to stay busy.”

  “Sydney, you could have called or FaceTimed.”

  “Sebastian, she was right I needed to believe you’d survive the day and make it home.”

  His lips fell upon my head.

  “You can’t tell me you didn’t wonder what would happen once Pippa learned you are indeed alive.” My brow wrinkled.

  “It crossed my mind. Tonight, I’ll continue searching for her in Columbia.”

  “You can’t fly drones over every country in hopes of finding her.”

  “I can. The rebels love my money. As long as they will allow me to fly their drones over sites known for purchasing illegal armed weapons, I’ll continue. Besides, I have help. Jacob and Brandon each take a country every night.” He dropped his head against the top of the sofa. “We’ll find that bitch.”

  “I wasn’t aware Jacob was assisting you. Samantha was here this morning. I persuaded her to take her family to Canada for a week. They need quality time together. Jacob also needs a break from Hollywood.”

  Sebastian slapped his forehead. “Shit, I was consumed in my own bullshit, I didn’t think about what was best for his family. Good thinking Syd. No worries. I will reach out to Dillon. He’ll help fly drones.”

  My husband was determined to find Pippa. I decided it was best I left the topic alone. If I didn’t, he may have decided to travel abroad and find her on foot. I needed Sebastian here. I was aware the CIA would call soon, and he’d utilize that time to find Pippa.

  “Sebastian, I missed you.” My lips grazed his neck.

  “I hated being away from you today. I am working from home until I have to go on my mission.”

  “Were you pleased with how the team handled the projects?”

  “Yes. They understand we’ll meet by video conference twice a week. If I believe they are struggling to complete projects, then I will go into the office for a day or so.”

  I stood, grinning. “Sounds good. I need to finish dinner. Come on.”

  “Sydney, are you still having morning sickness?” His hand swayed over my hip.

  I stepped behind the counter and turned glancing into his eyes. “Yes, a few times today. Not to worry.” I clutched his muscled torso. “We’ll learn if we are pregnant tonight.”

  “We have sex every day. You better be pregnant. If not, we’ll need to pay Dr. Onyx a visit.”

  I nodded, retrieving a beer from the fridge.

  Folding my arms, I leaned against the counter. “Do you plan to bring Dillon up to speed on everything that’s happened over the summer?”

  He chugged the ice-cold beer, loosening his tie. “Yes. I am aware he’ll be pissed, but it was for the best to keep him in the dark at the time.” He placed the beer on the counter and rubbed his brow. “Baby, please take the test now. The suspense is killing me.”

  I laughed, stirring the peas on the stovetop. “Fine. Watch the food. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”

  ∞

  Pacing the bathroom floor, I stroked my long hair. The sore nipples and morning sickness were signs I was pregnant. Oh, I couldn’t forget my vanishing monthly visitor. The timer on my cell vibrated. I shot over to the vanity, staring at the three pregnancy tests. I grabbed the tests and darted through the house.

  “Sebastian! Sebastian!”

  He stalked toward me in the living room. His bright green eyes widened. “What?”

  I placed the pregnancy sticks in his hand. “They are all positive. We are having another baby!”

  He swung me around. “Yes! That’s great news, baby.”

  Caressing his clean-shaven face, I reveled in his sexy features. “I’m so happy we are expanding our family. I don’t want to stop.”

  His lips crushed mine. “Me either,” he whispered.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  SEBASTIAN

  Staring between four laptop screens in a dusty, rundown, small apartment in Yemen, I had eyes on one of our targets.

  “Roberts, come in.”

  I pressed the earbud. “Go for Roberts.”

  “How are we looking? Are we ready to move?”

  On missions our boss went by Stinger. Guess he thought he was hot shit. He wasn’t though. The men making the kill shots were.

  “Soon, I am currently, guaranteeing we have a straight shot.”

  “Good job, Roberts.”

  Sydney knew at any time I could be called away on a mission. Didn’t make my leaving any easier. She knew this was a two-part mission. I’d find Pippa and end her before I returned to the States.

  My family came down hard on me at Tony’s birthday party. My cousins didn’t understand why I didn’t ask for their help with Pippa from the beginning. I told them to drop it. The ladies enjoyed their get together. Sydney and Samantha named their secret club Assassins and Mob Wives. She said they were all killers or held the power to end someone’s life. I told her they were a group of bad asses. She smiled at the nickname. Sydney hoped I’d return before Tony and Nadine’s wedding in December. It all depended on if I found Pippa.

  Flying the drones paid off. Dillon spotted her in Yemen. The second this mission shut down I’d hunt down Pippa.

  The sky darkened. Our target was surrounded by his men in a small building in a popular village a few miles away.

  “Dole, come in.”

  “Go, Roberts.”

  “Target confirmed as Almasi. We have a clear shot. Do you have a visual?”

  “Yes.”


  My eyes burned into the screen. A flash of light appeared on my live feed.

  “Target down,” Dole stated.

  “Move in Sky team.”

  The Seal team trekked along the side of the building. Another spark of light illuminated the room briefly.

  “This is Seal Team Commander Scout.”

  “Go ahead, Commander,” I ordered.

  “Target Almasi has been terminated.”

  I threw my fist in the air.

  “Yes!” Dole shouted in a whisper.

  “We captured the remaining two targets in a bedroom. Mission complete,” Commander Scout stated.

  “Thank you, Commander Scout and Dole. Great job.”

  “Roberts, well done. Meet me at the rendezvous point at O eight hundred hours.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  ~

  Sitting on a wooden desk inside a large tent, I brushed my gloved hands over my camouflage pants.

  “Roberts.”

  I stood as my contact Randy entered the tent.

  “Good morning, sir.” I straightened the glasses on my face.

  “Great mission, Roberts.” He sat on top of a desk across from me.

  “Thank you.” I smirked.

  “Have a seat.”

  “Your presence is needed in the field.”

  “I understand, sir. But this mission should make us even.”

  A sinister chuckle erupted from his throat. “I don’t think so. You are my golden ticket to clean up a mountain of shit, threatening our country every day.”

  “Threatening our country or your arms business, sir?”

  His tanned facial expression didn’t change. “Watch your step, Johansen.”

  “Randy, I think we can cut the shit. If you know how valuable my skills are why would you order your partner to kill me?”

  The corner of his lip ticked upward. “I warned you. No one will come to your rescue out here in the desert.”

  “I’d say he’s earned the title of the best hacker. Don’t you think, Randy?” A tight smile curled her pink lips. Pippa gripped the AR-15, standing in the tent opening.

  Careful Sebastian, remain calm. Don’t dart across the room and choke the life from her petite frame.

  She strolled toward us. “Sebastian, you’re like a gnat you can’t swat.”

  I snickered. “I’d like to think of myself as a jaguar. Strong and quick.” I settled onto the desk. “How did the deals work out with all your contacts? Did they want to kill you for destroying their weapons?”

  She laughed. “They were upset.” Her hand landed on Randy’s shoulder. “I had no problem getting my hands on more weapons quick. I must say not hearing on the news you were dead, agitated me.” Her lips became thin lines.

  I waved my finger toward her. “You went against our boss’s wishes. He needed me to find the men we killed yesterday. You disobeyed a direct order.”

  Her face twisted, and she stepped in front of me, barely leaving space between us.

  “I don’t take orders from anybody.” Pippa’s chest heaved and her cool blue eyes shot daggers through me.

  “That’s enough Luna.” Randy’s deep voice bounced around the tent.

  I called her by her real name so long, I’d forgotten she’d gone by Luna.

  “Are your daddy issues so detrimental you’d risk your life for the shady head of the CIA?”

  My jaw twitched. “Didn’t take much effort to use a heartbroken girl for your shady side business.”

  He laughed. “Who made her heartbroken the second time around? That was all your doing, Johansen. You killed her sister.”

  I raised my hands in the air. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Pippa, gripping both ends of the weapon shoved it into my chest. “You lying bastard. Jesus Randy, end this son of a bitch for good this time.” Anger and frustration dripped over her words.

  “I don’t think so.”

  Our eyes darted toward the doorway.

  Shit!

  “No one’s ending Caden this time.” Dressed in camouflage gear, she walked a fine line like a tightrope Glock extended.

  Her backup sashayed in behind her, chomping on a granny smith apple, holding a sniper rifle at her side.

  “I hate this fucking heat. How can it be so hot at eight in the morning?” Samantha flopped in a nearby chair.

  I would say I was speechless, just tongue tied at the moment. No need to ask how my wife found me. Her cousin was well connected.

  Pippa threw back her head in laughter. “This is cute.” She peeked at me. “Your wife and her party planner cousin came to save your life. “She glanced over Sydney’s shoulder.

  “Is Jacob Latters here too? That would be the icing on the cake.” Her smile dropped.

  “This is real life ladies not play time,” Pippa snarled.

  “I can assure you they aren’t here for shits and giggles. They are trained assassins. They sat on the roof ready to blow your brains out, but I demanded they stand down.”

  Another figure appeared at the door.

  He raised his gloved palms and flashed his billion-dollar Hollywood smile. He and Skyler didn’t wear prosthetics this time. But I’d still call them Hunter and Skyler. It became a habit on missions.

  “No need to be alarmed.” He walked toward Skyler. “I’m merely here for support. Oh, but Randy the four agents waiting for you in your jeep…” His smile rose and fell. “They’re dead.”

  Randy stood. “Celebrity or not you can’t run around killing government agents.”

  Hunter gripped his sniper rifle. “You see, I can. Because I was ordered to do so by the President of the United States. Sebastian, you can tell him the rest. I believe your wife interrupted.” Hunter sat beside Skyler.

  “As I was about to say before my wife walked in. The President of the United States has given you your walking papers. You are no longer the director of the CIA. It pays to have friends in high places. I’ve shut down all of your criminal dealings, Randy.”

  He charged forward, wrapping his hands around my neck. “You motherfucker!” Randy roared.

  “Who the fuck do you think you are? I wish you would have died.”

  I slipped my arms between his, knocking his arms to his sides. I slammed my foot into his chest, pushing him to the ground. “Stay down.” I hovered over him. “Smile. Tell the President hello.”

  Randy stared into the lenses.

  “These are the best eye glasses for missions. We use them for all sorts of things.” I tapped the side of the glasses. “Brandon, did you get everything?”

  “I sure did.” His voice sounded over the speaker.

  I peeked over my shoulder. “The spy glasses came in handy in Ms. Skover’s murder Pippa, Luna, whatever your name is, tried pinning on me.”

  I tossed the glasses across the tent. “Hunter, think quick.” He grabbed the Glock from his waist holster and pulled the trigger. The bullet penetrated the lenses, shattering them on impact.

  Crumpling his shirt, I leaned in. “You weren’t fit to head up the CIA. You crooked son of a bitch.” I pounded his head against the dirt. “You don’t deserve to rot in a cell.”

  I grabbed my Glock from my holster, jamming it against Randy’s forehead. “You tried taking me away from my family. And that’s enough for you and Pippa to die.”

  I stood back straight, pointing my Glock between his eyes.

  “Fuck you, Johansen.”

  A smile tipped my lips. “Burn in hell, Randy.” I squeezed the trigger. The bullet slammed into his skull. Brain matter splattered the tent’s green walls.

  I turned, facing Sydney and Pippa. Hunter and Skyler had disappeared. Where the hell did they go?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  SEBASTIAN

  “Your precious sister left that bullshit video behind.” Sydney struck her face with the side of the Glock. Pippa’s blonde ponytail flung across her face. Her fists clenched at her sides.

  Slowly her hea
d turned and her nostrils flared. “I should have you all killed right now.” A devilish smile curled her lips.

  Fuck, she was up to something. I should have known better. There wasn’t any way she’d move without her men.

  I tapped my ear piece. “Brandon, I need visual.” I retrieved my cell out of the camo pants leg pocket.

  “Caden, there are five trucks moving your way.”

  I stared at the screen. “Shit.”

  “Can you link the teams earbuds to our network?”

  “Yeah, one sec.”

  “Looks like we have a fight on our hands,” Sydney stared into Pippa’s eyes, gripping her Glock at her side. “I don’t care who’s coming. One thing’s for sure…you’re leaving here the same way your sister did…with a bullet to the head.” Sydney smiled and blew her a kiss.

  “You killed my sister! You fucking, bitch.”

  Pippa lunged, slamming her hands against her shoulders. Sydney staggered back.

  “Is that all you’ve got?”

  Pippa’s leg flew in the air. Sydney caught it, flipped in a twist, pinning her to the ground.

  “Stephanie was so quick to blame Sebastian in case something happened to her.”

  Sydney twisted Pippa’s leg back.

  “Ouch,” Pippa grabbed her ponytail and slammed her fist into Sydney’s chest. “Shit!” She nursed her bruised knuckles.

  “Awe, you hurt your hand. I’m wearing an armor suit under my gear. It’s not your typical suit. It's that spy level shit.” She snickered.

  “Thought it would come in handy.” Sydney’s fist slid across Pippa’s face.

  “Your sister had it wrong. The second I found out she was behind the kidnapping of my child; I was determined to end her life. I had to.”

  Pippa swung, punching her in the nose. Sydney reached out. They latched on to each other’s necks.

  “You tried to kill my husband. Pippa, you have to die.” They rolled across the floor.