Impact Zone

by Cara Carnes

  “Thanks to you and everyone else,” he mumbled. “Those trackers saved her life.”

  “No, that braver than hell sister of Levi’s did,” Bree said. “And all of you out there scouring the forest looking for her. Fighting off an army of assholes. I hope you slaughtered them all.”

  Nolan chuckled. “I’ll see if I can run interference on the others.”

  “No.” Fallon pulled away from Bree. “I’d rather they sit with Rhea until I get back. Logan’s right. I need to clean up before she wakes.”

  “I won’t leave her side,” Bree declared. “I swear.”

  Rhea was lucky to have friends like Bree and the others. Ellie and Riley entered the room. Both hugged Bree, then surged toward Fallon.

  Nolan ran interference. “He came straight here from the plane before it was even off the runway. He needs to shower, and Logan needs to look at his injuries.”

  “Right.” Ellie looked up. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m better now that she’s home and safe.”

  “A large group of operatives is going to San Antonio to sit with our guys there,” Riley said. “Vi had her baby.”

  “Seriously?” Fallon asked.

  “Yep. Water broke right there in Operations,” Ellie said with a giggle. “Jacob apparently threw a towel on top of it and took over like it happened every day. Jud and his parents are at the hospital with her. The poor man had a rougher go of it than Vi did. Mary just got back.”

  Fallon nodded. Not wanting to be a dick about the fact he didn’t give a damn about anything beyond Rhea right now, he stayed silent as he exited the room, Nolan on his heels. He wasn’t sure how he’d gotten the Mason brother as a shadow, but he kept his mouth shut.

  Everyone had gone all in getting him and his team and Rhea out. Home.

  Fuck.

  The Arsenal meant way more to him than he’d realized.

  “You okay?” Nolan asked.

  Fallon looked around and realized he’d stopped moving. “No, but I will be when she wakes.”

  “You did good out there.”

  “Didn’t realize until we were out there fighting those bastards, trying to get to her, how deep this place is in me now.” Fallon swiped his hand across his face.

  “I admit I had my doubts about you. I was pretty clear with Mary and Marshall that you had no business being here.” Nolan crossed his arms. “Then he told me what you did, the assignment he gave you.”

  Fallon tightened.

  “You’re a hell of an operative, Graves, and an even better man when you let your guard down and let people in. I’ve seen a lot of guys like you over the years. Their stints in the private paramilitary arena rarely end well because they never accept they aren’t alone in the trenches.”

  “I’m starting to see that,” Fallon admitted.

  “Good. Clean up so Logan can look you over before he tends everyone else. You need anything, let me know.”

  Fallon parted with Nolan and made it around the corner to where the showers were before he ran into the next group. Mary and Dylan.

  Mary.

  Fallon realized as he looked at the woman and saw the worry and tears in her eyes that she wasn’t Edge around the clock. Not here, where everyone was her extended family.

  Home.

  He rubbed his chest as the two closed the distance. Dylan remained several steps back, but Mary, like all the other women at The Arsenal, wrapped her arms around him.

  “I’m glad you’re okay,” she whispered. “She’ll be okay.”

  “I know,” he said. He broke apart and glanced at Dylan. “Thanks. Everything you all did, the word pales in comparison. Not sure I’ll ever get out of that debt.”

  “We aren’t about debt around here, Fallon,” Mary said. “Family and team stick together, no matter what. Like it or not, you’re entrenched in The Arsenal. There’s no walking away, not if Rhea means anything to you.”

  Fallon’s jaw twitched.

  “You’re good together,” Mary whispered.

  “Did someone call her family?” Fallon hated to ask, but Rhea loved her parents and Rhianna. Even if her recovery would be brief, they deserved to know she was safe and they were no longer in immediate danger.

  “Medina spoke with them, let them know things are wrapping up and that Rhea had a few complications along the way,” Dylan said. “They’re on their way here, with Rhianna.”

  Fallon grunted. “Not sure that needs to go down with Rhea as soon as she wakes.”

  “I agree,” Dylan said. “Mary’s going to talk to Sinclair, get her input on how to proceed. Either way, Rhea needs to chat with Sinclair about that and what happened on this op. All of you will be expected to as well.”

  Fallon expected as much. The Arsenal cared about their operatives as people, not just bodies to do as they were told. They invested in keeping them mentally, physically, and emotionally well.

  Happy.

  “We’ll need to chat about Spade,” Mary said. “That’ll wait until after the full debrief.”

  “And the auction? Addy and her team?” Fallon asked.

  “We expect to hear from them soon,” Dylan replied.

  “Everyone’s in her room,” Fallon said. “I’ll be back after I clean up and get checked out.”

  “They’re home,” Judson whispered. “Everyone’s safe. Donovan’s first surgery went well. The others should be discharged in the next couple of days.”

  “And Rhea?” Vi studied her husband’s face.

  “She’s resting. Logan expects her to wake soon.”

  Vi relaxed and smiled at the beautiful little girl in her arms. Judson’s parents had just left. If they hadn’t been there…

  “Don’t,” Jud warned. He sat on the side of her bed and ran his fingers across their baby’s head.

  “Are you okay?” Vi asked.

  “I don’t think I can do that again, Viviana.” Jud leaned his head against hers and sighed heavily. “You okay with just one?”

  Vi smiled, then gave voice to the amusement rising in her. “I’m not sure how your parents kept a straight face the entire time.”

  “Dad was the same way,” Jud whispered. “He shared that with me in the hall before they left. It’s a Jensen man thing.”

  The Jensen man thing had endeared Jud to everyone working the maternity ward because even though he’d bugged every single nurse and doctor incessantly, his genuine concern was so palpable. He’d cried at one point.

  “I hate seeing you in pain,” he admitted.

  “Next time we’ll know what to expect,” Vi said. She stroked his face and sank into the love exuding from him. “We have a family.”

  “She’s beautiful, just like you.”

  “Here. You hold her.”

  Jud took their precious cargo into his embrace and sat in the rocking chair in the corner of the room. “Any thoughts on a name yet?”

  “First name, no. Middle name, maybe.” Vi smoothed the wrinkles from her bedding and looked over at her husband, whose gaze met hers. “Daniella, after Danny. I liked what Mary did naming her baby after the bravest person she knew. We can’t have two Jessies running around, so Daniella. I’d suggest it as a first name, but we know a Dani and…”

  “It’s perfect,” Jud said. “We’ll come up with her first name soon, after we get to know her a bit.”

  Vi leaned back in the bed and watched her husband and daughter. Before The Arsenal, she never would’ve imagined this day, this moment. A life outside and apart from the work she did. She and Mary had come a long way since they took down Hive. She hoped Rhea and the others would as well.

  “Any word on Addy yet?”

  “No.” Jud’s grim expression made her insides clench. He was worried. “They’ve got it under control.”

  “Mary said Jacob did an amazing job.”

  “There’s no getting rid of him now. He’s all in,” Jud said with a laugh.

  “Destiny,” Vi whispered.

  “What’s that, Viviana?�
�� Jud looked from their daughter to her.

  “You and I. Destiny. Danny entering our lives twice. Jacob. You saving mine.” Vi swallowed. “Our daughter. It’s all Destiny.”

  “I love it. Destiny Daniella Jensen.” Jud grinned. “Mom and Dad will approve of the double D names.”

  Vi laughed. “I didn’t even think about that.” But it was perfect.

  A cell phone rang from across the room. Vi looked over when Jud rose with a growl and snatched the device from the table. Destiny in the crook of one arm, he walked to the bed and showed her the display.

  She grabbed the phone. “You have a lot of nerve phoning me directly. I’m pretty sure you know I gave birth not too long ago.”

  “Yes, it was brought to my attention. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. Not to be rude, but what the hell do you want? I’m pretty sure I made myself clear last time we spoke, and I highly doubt you’re phoning with answers.” Vi tightened her grip on the phone as she put it on speaker so Judson could hear whatever Bob had to say.

  “You and The Arsenal have been busy.”

  “You left us no choice,” Vi said. “Are you ready to share who Mandrake is and who all is tied up with them and Carlisle Industries? No one’s in a good mood right now, not after we almost lost so many operatives because of this mess. A mess you sent us into.”

  Judson laid a sleeping Destiny in the bassinet near Vi’s bed.

  “I realize now we should have anticipated your paths would cross one day,” Bob said. “Mandrake was… is… an alternative solution. Before The Arsenal, they were a primary one.”

  Damn. Vi expended a heavy sigh. “We replaced them.”

  “In a manner of speaking, yes. Them and a few others, smaller players we sometimes relied on when no other solution was available. All of this, of course, is black-in-black.”

  “Meaning you maintained one hundred percent deniability about them and everyone in their organization.”

  “Yes.”

  “And Carlisle?” Vi asked.

  “He proved problematic for us. We had been following you and Mary for some time. When we became aware of the tech Mandrake used, we made inquiries as to its designers. Carlisle was touted as the brains behind the designs.”

  “But you suspected otherwise,” Vi said.

  Jud’s mouth thinned.

  “We did,” Bob said. “By this time, The Arsenal had opened shop and we knew their moral code and operational ethics were more in line with our preferred approach. We made the shift away from Mandrake as contracts expired.”

  “And guided us toward The Arsenal,” Vi guessed.

  “We had no part in what Rugers and Hive did, Vi. I would have never agreed to such aggressive methods.”

  “Now the group you passed over for us, one you conveniently didn’t mention when you contracted us to take down Carlisle—who Mandrake is tied very closely with—is at war with us.”

  “I spoke with them a little while ago,” Bob said. “They extended their profuse apologies for recent events. No one within management was aware of Carlisle’s extracurricular activities.”

  Bullshit.

  Jud’s jaw twitched. Vi agreed with the sentiments her husband’s expression denoted. Mandrake knew exactly what Carlisle was into. They’d likely made a lot of money. “They needed some way to supplement the loss of your contracts, Bob. You aren’t stupid. You had to suspect they’d made some not-so-wise decisions recently, yet you continued contracting with them.”

  “We contract with many organizations, as you are aware. Some of our work requires a more aggressive style,” Bob said.

  “I find that hard to believe since one of our teams has been kept busy almost exclusively handling your wet work. You wanted a way to neutralize us if we became a threat. Mandrake and Carlisle’s tech were the answer.”

  Silence descended. Jud fisted his hands but remained silent as their gazes locked. Confirmation resided within the quiet from the other end.

  “We couldn’t give that much power to one organization, not with the tech you have available. And the operational flawlessness. We learned our lesson long ago, Vi. It was a strategic decision. One I did not make.”

  While Vi understood the need for checks and balances, she didn’t appreciate the way they’d been blindsided. She’d trusted Bob, thought they’d had a good working rapport. “I see you aren’t much different than the other bureaucrats, mired in red tape and hidden agendas.”

  “We’ve worked well together,” Bob commented.

  “I’m not sure how we can move on from this. You screwed us over, Bob.” Vi let the statement loom a moment before continuing. “Given what went down in Guatemala, I’d strongly advise you to distance yourself from Mandrake awhile. Even if they weren’t fully aware of Carlisle’s sideline business with the Russians, do you really want to be linked to an organization who inadvertently aids in selling dirty bombs and munitions to terrorists?”

  “Given The Arsenal’s recent transgressions, some believe you have too much power.”

  “Our recent transgressions? You care to break that down for me?” Vi shifted on the bed. A nurse entered the room, offered a smile and started looking at Destiny. “What part of our recent operations have you deemed a transgression? Seeing as how it was all contracted by you, I’d answer that question very, very carefully, Bob.”

  “I did not mean it like that, Vi. It was merely an observation that the recent situations you’ve been mired in have put a very large spotlight on The Arsenal in some particular circles.” Bob’s hesitant voice broke toward the end. “That leaves us no choice but to contract some of the more sensitive work to Mandrake.”

  “You’re drowning in double speak, Bob. Frankly, none of what you’re saying matters. We’re under contract with you and will continue taking out your trash and mucking up after the groups like Mandrake because that’s what we do. Just know we’re watching.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “On the contrary, it’s an assurance,” Vi said. “You may not like the visibility some of the recent situations have gotten, but you can’t deny our effectiveness. We won’t back down from doing the right thing, no matter who we’re up against.”

  “Well, that is an assurance my associates and I are glad to have,” Bob said. “Despite this unfortunate situation with Carlisle, we’ve been very pleased with your work. We look forward to our continued endeavors.”

  Right. Vi waited until the nurse was out of the room. “Very well. This situation isn’t over, Bob. There are missiles going up for auction, likely in Russia. The same Russian terrorist cell linked to Mandrake via Carlisle. We aren’t stopping until we’ve taken that cell down and secured the missiles. That is what you wished us to do, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Just making sure. You appear to have a stake in both sides of this situation. I suggest you pick a side and stick to it.”

  “Mandrake had nothing to do with those missiles,” Bob said.

  “Assert whatever you must to save face. I’ve played this game enough to understand it. But don’t be stupid and ignore the facts. We sure as hell won’t.” Vi cupped her husband’s face. “If you need anything else, call Mary or Marshall. I’m going to spend time with my family.”

  She clicked off the phone and handed it to Jud. “It seems our friends in the alphabet soup are greasier than we realized.”

  “We’ve always known that,” Jud said. “They don’t get into those positions without cutting some throats along the way.”

  “True. We’ll need to tread the Mandrake problem lightly.”

  “We will,” Jud said. “But not today. And definitely not you, not for a while.” Jud stretched out on the bed beside her. “I love you, Viviana.”

  “I love you, Judson.”

  21

  “I’m sorry, but you need to come back later. She’s resting.” Fallon stood between the door and Rhea’s family.

  “I know that, young man. She’s been resting too long.
I’ve made a few calls. Several of my colleagues are willing to fly out and take a look at her.” Her father’s gaze cut to Logan, who stood to their side. “She needs someone more qualified.”

  “The most qualified person to analyze the neurotoxin in your daughter’s system is your daughter,” Logan said. He clicked his pen shut and shoved it into the pocket of his white jacket. “Were he still alive, we could perhaps ask her ex, who created it. Her vitals have improved, as you are aware since you’ve demanded fifteen-minute updates.”

  “We are her parents. We have medical authority over her decisions. I will be removing her from this place and getting her to a real hospital,” Rhea’s father said, his voice raised.

  Nolan, Marshall, and several operatives loomed nearby. Their attention swept to the heated discussion, but no one made a move to intervene. Fallon was half-tempted to kick the elderly couple off the compound entirely.

  “Dad. Don’t.” Rhianna’s pained expression drifted to Logan. “When will she wake? They’re just worried. I am too.”

  “Soon,” Logan said. “As for medical authority, part of the paperwork Arsenal employees fill out relates to who they’d like making medical decisions on their behalf. You are not who she chose,” Logan said. “She waived her HIPPA rights, so I’m free to discuss everything with whom I deem fit, which is the only reason you’re receiving the fifteen-minute updates. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have several other patients to tend to. A lot of people were injured getting your daughter back, sir. Please respect their need for a stress-free recovery, or you’ll be removed from Medical.”

  “I am bothering no one,” the man declared.

  “Actually, you are,” Fallon said. “Arsenal operatives are the best around. They take protecting those around them very seriously. Your daughter is at the top of that list because she is one of the most important people at this compound. Take a look around. You see all those men hanging on to the doorways of their rooms?”

  Fallon swept his gaze to where the three operatives from San Antonio had been put into rooms. A couple others were out of their beds as well, clutching the doorframe and looking down at where everyone knew Rhea slept.