Rule Breaker (Project ROOT Book 1)

by Michele, Ryan

  “Oh?” The harsh edge of McNamara’s voice turned to surprise.

  “Barclay was guarding the building for the crew. The crew is actually someone we use for missions, and you’ll never guess who gave a bad evaluation to them about six months ago.”

  “Son of a bitch. I hate games.”

  “Senator Lincoln.”

  “Well, stick a lollypop up my ass and call me the mayor of the Lollypop Guild,” his uncle muttered.

  Asher blinked, not sure what to say after that. “Anyway, we have the text messages. We have the company name and their name on the contractor list. We also have the review and the Barclay uniform on the dead guard. We have to take this to the congressional committee before Lincoln can sweep it under the rug.”

  “There is a gala this weekend,” McNamara announced. “It’ll make a good cover story to get you here. I’ll brief the committee and let them know you have evidence. No one will tell Lincoln. We’ll get you in here for the event, then place you in front of the committee.”

  “An event?”

  “Yes, bring the girl and the men you have from the site. They’ll have to testify as well.”

  If he had to wear a monkey suit to get Lincoln thrown in jail, then he’d do whatever it took. Plus, it would get Rae out of the base. Give her a sense of freedom again. Something he realized she was sorely lacking. “We’ll be there.”

  “Excellent,” his uncle answered. “Your aunt misses you, son. She’ll be happy to see you.”

  “Oh, you dirty bastard, using the family card.” He shook his head.

  “How do you think I became a senator? My amazingly good looks?” His sarcastic tone caused Asher to laugh.

  “You mean your face didn’t do it?”

  “Only got your aunt into my bed. I’ll see you in a few days. Don’t fuck up.”

  “See you then.” Asher placed the phone on the table and yawned, causing his jaw to crack from the tension. He needed sleep and to see Rae. Sleep would have to come first. He couldn’t do his job if he couldn’t think straight. He glanced at the switchboard area. “Sully, I’m hitting the rack. Let O’Malley and Hanover know.”

  “On it,” the kid answered.

  He stood and exited the nerve center of their base. He had a shit load of stuff to do, but it could wait. Soon, they’d get all this shit sorted, then Rae could get back to her normal life and they could move forward with theirs. He just had to hold out a few more days.

  Chapter Eighteen

  An insistent knocking brought him out of a dead sleep. Glancing at the clock told him he got at least seven hours. Better than none, I suppose.

  “Asher,” Hanover’s voice called through his door.

  “Use your key card, Hanover,” he yelled as he slipped from the bed, naked, and ambled into to the bathroom.

  “Jesus, Asher. How about a little warning,” Hanover groused as he stepped into the room with a view of the bathroom.

  “You woke me up; therefore, you don’t get to bitch.” He flushed the toilet and washed his hands before he headed back into his room.

  Moving to his closet, he pulled out a pair of workout sweats and threw them on.

  “Tell me you at least brought me a cup of coffee.” He rubbed his hand through his hair.

  “Really, boss.” Hanover sounded insulted. “I know better. Here.”

  Asher saw the cup and all but snatched it from the sniper’s hand.

  “Don’t talk till I at least drink half,” he mumbled as he brought the cup to his lips and guzzled.

  “Where’s Rae?” Hanover asked.

  He sighed. Ought to know asking Hanover to be silent for five minutes was too hard for him.

  Narrowing his eyes at Hanover. “Not here.”

  “Damn, boss. You’re a grumpy bastard. We need to find Rae so you can burn off some of it.”

  “Hanover,” he snapped. Noah recognized the tone, it was the do not fuck with me tone.

  He closed his trap.

  After drinking half, he turned to Hanover. “Boys still sleeping?”

  “Yeah. Doc checked Callahan out. She said, and I quote, ‘Stop bitching, you big baby. It’s a scratch.’”

  “Was it?”

  “In the light of day, looked more like a graze if you asked me.” Hanover snickered. “He’s never going to live this shit down.”

  “And your reason for waking me?” he asked.

  “You’re being hailed on the Bat Phone.” The sniper gave him a half smile. “No worries, though. Told the old man you were still sleeping. Which he promptly told me to go wake your ass. I reminded him you wouldn’t be pleasant and suggested the coffee.”

  “You can leave now,” he muttered.

  If Hanover stayed, he might end up killing him. The man was even more hyper than normal.

  He rolled his eyes as Noah popped up out of his chair, saluted him, and left him alone with just the cup of coffee. He finished it, tossing the empty cup in the trash.

  He rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck, and then picked up his phone, which he noticed was put on silent. Rae must have done it before she left because he knew he hadn’t.

  His uncle had called no more than a half a dozen times. Running his fingers over the screen, he hit the icon for his name and the phone rang.

  “About fucking time, Asher.” He could hear the anger in his uncle’s voice. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for a while.”

  “Was sleeping. Humans need it occasionally to function. I need it to function,” he replied, ignoring his uncle’s bad ass mood. “What’s the problem?”

  “Fucking Lincoln,” his uncle grumbled, his tone filled with disgust. “I’m half fucking tempted to put a contract out on his ass. It’d save us a lot of time and effort.”

  He cocked a brow. This couldn’t be good. “Hope you’re on a secure line,” he gave a gentle reminder.

  “You and your doctor have to come to DC today. An announcement was just made. They have a date on the congressional hearings for the attack in Colombia. They are being spearheaded by Lincoln and the subpoenas are being issued today. They can’t come to R.O.O.T. headquarters since it’s a dark site. Best bet is to have you here to get served.”

  Shit. Right now, he didn’t have enough sleep for this bullshit.

  The sound of the lock disengaging had him watching the door intently. When the door pushed open and Rae stepped through, he acknowledged her with a head bob. She closed the door, removed her lab coat, and kicked off her shoes before sitting on the small couch across from his bed.

  “Shouldn’t be a surprise, son, told you it’s coming.”

  “The president?”

  Rae sat up. He smirked. She was trying to act like she wasn’t listening to the conversation. They both knew she was. He told her he loved her and it hadn’t been an accident, so he was more than willing to let her completely into his life.

  “He’s in support of doing whatever needs to be done to find the truth.” He could hear the disappointment in his uncle’s voice. “He won’t say either way what he believes happened in South America, publicly. Privately, he’s not saying much either.” Asher didn’t blame him or his uncle. He knew his uncle had spent a lot of time and effort to get the president where he was.

  Bet his uncle felt like he got his teeth kicked in. If Asher had to guess, his uncle thought the man would show support for Asher’s team instead of taking Lincoln’s side.

  “Seems a little coincidental they’re issuing them today. A day after our mission to Bogotá.” Beyond frustrated at the cat and mouse game he was playing with Lincoln, something or someone had to give and soon. He squeezed the bridge of his nose as he thought. “You got all the Semtex out of the building?”

  It bothered him when the team left it behind, especially in Bogotá. His uncle had promised to have it recovered and held.

  “I did,” his uncle answered, then hesitated. His uncle never hesitated. They were a lot alike, being direct and speaking their mind, good, bad or ugly.
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  “What?” he demanded. “Just say it.”

  “Isaac is in town.”

  “I know. You told me,” he said, his gaze locked with Rae’s.

  “Rumor has it he’s been getting chummy with a certain senator.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” he spat out. “He’s a piece of shit who can’t pull his head out of his ass and is still trying to fuck over his only child.”

  Rae’s eyes widened.

  “What kind of man does that?”

  “Your father. There is a special place in hell for him, Asher.”

  “Maybe we can get a two-for-one deal on the contract killer you want to hire for Lincoln,” he said half-heartedly. Sounded like a splendid idea in his mind.

  “Let me get a shower and I’ll fly us out to DC within the hour if Rae’s schedule is open,” he said.

  “I’ll advise them you’ll be in town. You’ll need to be visible, son.”

  “I’m aware,” he muttered, annoyed at the entire situation.

  Going to DC wasn’t a priority for him. Get Rae naked and sinking balls deep inside her and fucking her till they both passed out. Now that was a priority.

  “We’ll have dinner at Rosco’s. It’s a hot spot with a lot of social climbers and politicians. I’ll get it leaked and they’ll know where you are. Those bastards won’t pass up a chance to try to embarrass you,” he proclaimed.

  “Can you arrange it so it’s done before we even sit down?” he asked. “I don’t care to spend a second longer than I have to in DC. I need you to do me a favor.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Rae needs a dress for the gala. I think if it’s already there for her, it’ll keep her out of sight, and off Lincoln’s radar.”

  “Agreed. I’ll ask your aunt and I’m sure I can work my magic on the other thing,” his uncle said before the line went dead.

  Clicking off the phone, he threw it on the bed and leaned forward. He placed his elbows on his knees, and dug his hands into his hair as he thought about his next move.

  If O’Malley wasn’t awake, he’d have to be woken. He wasn’t taking Rae off this base without adequate backup. Which meant it would be O’Malley and Hanover who went along with them. They’d have to fly out before them, scout the area, and set up.

  “Asher,” Rae’s voice had his head jerking up. She sat on the edge of the couch, watching him. “What’s going on?”

  “We have to head to DC for a while,” he told her along with everything his uncle had informed him of. “We’ll be there for a few days, at least.”

  “You think Lincoln’s up to something,” she queried.

  “I do. That fucker is always up to something.”

  Rae winced at his blunt language. “What do you think it is?”

  “Don’t know other than he’s trying to draw us into the open.” He released his head and stood. “I need to get my plan of action in play before we leave,” he informed her. “Can you find Hanover? Ask him to wake up O’Malley if he isn’t already awake and have them back here in twenty.”

  “Gladly.” She stood, approaching him. Going up on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down so she could kiss him.

  Yeah, she was his priority.

  His hands went to her head, positioning her how he needed her. The kiss turned hard, demanding. She whimpered, not in pain, but in pleasure and he retreated, nipping at her lower lip. She stepped away from him first, then picked up her key card and headed out the door while he made his way to the shower with a dick so hard, it ached.

  An hour later, Rae and he were heading out to the tarmac to the waiting Blackhawk. The entire team, including the injured Callahan, left a half hour before on another hawk. Initially, his plan was to send O’Malley and Hanover as backup. The others heard about it and flipped the fuck out. In the end, he gave in because O’Malley stated it was better to have eight sets of eyes than two.

  Hard to argue with logic.

  “Where is the pilot?” Rae asked as she stepped into the hawk.

  He chuckled. “I’m flying us in, Rae.”

  “Wait…you’re flying us? You can operate this.” Her hand gestured out in front of her. He didn’t miss the look of shock on her face.

  “Yeah, I can. If it has wings or blades, I can fly it.” He grinned. “You can sit up front with me as long as you promise not to touch a thing.”

  “I promise!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

  He got her into the seat, buckling her in and adjusting the straps for a comfortable fit. He then rounded the cockpit, and did the same after getting in.

  “Put the headset on, this way we can have a conversation,” he told her as he slipped his over his head.

  She fiddled with the headset, tightening it so it sat on her head. He reached over, swinging the mic in front of her face.

  “Don’t you have to do a precheck?”

  “O’Malley already did it. You ready?” He glanced at her.

  “Yes!”

  He powered up the beastly helicopter and requested clearance. Once given, he lifted off, pointing toward DC.

  Twenty minutes later, they landed at Andrews and made their way to a waiting vehicle.

  “Sometimes when we fly in and out of here, you can see Air Force One,” he informed her as he opened the non-descript sedan door for her.

  “Really?” She craned her neck around him, looking. “It’s housed here?”

  “Yes. When not in use, it’s in lockdown, heavily guarded,” he told her before she slid in and he shut the door. Walking around the front of the car, he opened the driver’s door and got in.

  “Maybe next time,” she said wishfully.

  “Maybe.” He put the keys in the ignition and started the car. “We’ll be at the restaurant soon.”

  “Is he aware I know?” He knew what she meant. Was his uncle aware he had told her who he was to him. He shook his head. “Will he get mad?”

  “Don’t care,” he sighed, turning in the seat to stare at her. “I meant what I said the other day, Rae.”

  A frowned formed on her mouth, she cocked her head and stared at him with a blank stare. Looks like he’d have to remind her. “The other morning, Rae, when I told you I loved you. I know I said it. I was tired, but not that fucking tired.”

  Her eyes widened as she drew her lip between her teeth. “Asher—”

  “I’m not expecting you to say the words back to me. Not yet, anyway,” he confessed. “I’m secure enough and willing to wait till you’re ready. We’re moving at the speed of light and it’s understandable you’re questioning your place and future. Work it out and we’ll talk when you’re ready.”

  She swallowed, nodding.

  Putting the car in gear, he passed through the checkpoints. They didn’t speak during the drive to Rosco’s. It didn’t bother him. He gave Rae a ton to deal with. Later, he would revisit it and then speak to her about his love for her. To him, he’d found the one.

  They made a pitstop at an out of the way hotel his uncle arranged for them, so they could change into their evening wear without suspicious eyes watching them. He gave Rae all the time she needed to get dressed and prepared for the evening. He hated shit like this and, having her there, well, made him a bit antsy. When they arrived at the restaurant an hour later, Asher stopped in the lane for valet parking. Part of the plan he’d concocted before they left.

  A young kid, not more than twenty, came up to the door as he opened it and got out. Asher tossed the keys to the kid, then rounded the car to Rae’s door and opened it while offering her hand to him.

  “I might have forgotten to mention it earlier, but you look fucking amazing. The dress is perfect.”

  “Thank Sydney. She left it for me,” she informed him.

  “Sydney might have purchased it, but it’s the woman wearing it who’s blowing my mind,” he teased.

  “Asher,” his uncle’s booming voice interrupted the moment.

  Releasing Rae’s hand, he placed a p
alm on her lower back and guided her to where his uncle stood, waiting. He quietly scanned the area, picking up O’Malley in the car across the street and Callahan sitting at the café two stores down. Hanover was somewhere high, but he couldn’t locate him and Schoell just limped past him. Somewhere, Lincoln or one of his goons stood by. He could feel it. It caused the short hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.

  “Senator McNamara,” he said, holding out his hand. His uncle grasped it, pumped it twice and released it. “Surprised to see you here. Not your normal haunt.”

  “We all need to change it up once a while,” he announced.

  “Who’s your lady friend?”

  “Senator McNamara, this is Doctor Rae Kenzie,” he said.

  Rae held her hand out and McNamara shook it. People walking into the restaurant, and those leaving, slowed, watching the show going on in front of them.

  “Call me Rae,” she said softly.

  “Jackson,” his uncle responded, giving her a very subtle wink. “Very nice to meet you, young lady.”

  A car screeched to a halt in front of the restaurant. The doors were thrown open and slammed shut to draw attention. Acting on instinct, Asher tucked Rae into his side, putting his big body between her and potential harm.

  “Asher Rainer,” a man in a dark wrinkled suit called out as he ran up to them on the sidewalk.

  “Yes,” Asher responded as he noticed everyone stopping to stare at them.

  “You’ve been served.” The suit held his hand out with a folded piece of paper held between his fingers.

  He hesitated, shifting back and forth, giving the illusion of nervousness to those watching, and there were a lot. He was extremely uncomfortable being in that situation. After a long moment he reached out, snatching the offending paper.

  The suit smirked before reaching into his pocket, removing another folded sheet. “Rae Kenzie.” He held his hand out to Rae.

  “It’s Doctor Rae Kenzie,” Asher snapped, his voice hard and commanding. It had been the tone he used when giving orders either to the troops he led in the military or those at R.O.O.T. “Try again.”

  Disrespecting him, his years in the service, and his position at R.O.O.T. he’d allow. He wouldn’t let these motherfuckers disrespect Rae. Not on his watch.