by Rebecca Deel
“What did he find?” Her heart felt as if it would fly out of her chest. Could this be the break they needed? The others hadn’t said, but Claire noticed the meaningful looks passing between the men when they talked about her brother. They had to find Adam soon or she feared they would never find him alive. She needed him. Nana needed him.
“He’s on his way over.”
She blinked. “Now?” Claire glanced at the clock over the mantel. “Kind of early, isn’t it?”
“He’d planned to come here to work today anyway. It’s only a few hours early.”
Right. “I should take a shower before he arrives. I’ll be quick.” Since Remy wasn’t awake yet, Claire figured she’d need to fix breakfast. Though it was early for her, she suspected the Fortress men would be hungry, especially Zane and Jon. She didn’t know if Zane cooked, but he wouldn’t be able to do much in Rio’s kitchen. The counters were too high for him. Her, too, for that matter. It was funny to her that she and Zane were about the same height with him seated.
He waved that off. “Not necessary, Claire. You made coffee before we left, didn’t you?”
“Seemed like a good idea. I always reward myself with something I enjoy as an incentive to get those miles in.” Bribes were appropriate when the reward was healthy, she told herself. A good book, a mug of excellent coffee, or a few bites of dark chocolate were her rewards of choice.
“Jon and Eli are low maintenance and functional in a kitchen. We all are. Unless you want to spend time in crowded restaurants, you learn to at least do basic cooking. We can fend for ourselves.” A grin. “If we can’t handle it, we’ll wake Remy and put him to work.”
“Some friends you are. He and Lily went to sleep after I did and I’ll bet they did night watch while you took a cat nap.” Claire stood, leaned over and brushed Zane’s mouth with her own, and headed off to shower. By the time she dressed and returned to the kitchen, Eli and Jon were seated at the table, along with Remy and Lily. Zane was nowhere in sight.
“Morning, sugar,” Eli said. “How are you?”
“Worried. What did you find out about Adam?”
Remy pushed back from the table and stood. “You need fuel. Zane’s cleaning up and changing clothes.” He handed her a plate of pancakes and a mug of steaming coffee. When she frowned, he winked at her. “Might as well eat while you wait. Besides, Smith isn’t one for idle speech. He’ll only tell the details once.”
“Zane shouldn’t be much longer,” Lily said.
Within minutes, Zane entered the kitchen, hair still damp. He rolled up to the table, settling into the empty spot beside Claire. Remy placed a plate loaded with pancakes in front of him. “Looks great, Remy. Thanks.” Zane chewed and swallowed a few bites of pancakes before turning to Jon. “What did you find out?”
“I know where Adam is.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Zane’s heart leaped against his chest wall. “Where is he?”
“Still in Collins’ compound in Belize.”
Three days had passed since Claire’s brother missed his check-in. Collins was ruthless and would use every means at his disposal to force Adam to tell him what he wanted to know. Wonder how much time before Collins realized he might be good, but the Marines were better at preparing their Special Forces soldiers to resist interrogation and torture, and decided Adam wasn’t worth the trouble? Not long enough. If Fortress couldn’t spring him from Collins’ clutches, Zane’s friend wouldn’t live much longer.
“No one has seen him?” Claire asked.
“Not since the day he missed his check in with Zane.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing good.” When Lily set her empty coffee mug aside, her husband refilled it with the steaming brew which he presented with a kiss and a light trailing of his fingers down her cheek.
Watching them made Zane’s chest tighten with happiness for his friends and longing for himself. His gaze shifted to Claire. He wanted the same with her. In a short time, she’d become much more than an early-stage girlfriend. If she discovered how deeply he felt, Zane feared she’d run for the hills.
“Explain that,” Claire said.
Zane wrapped his hand around hers. “Collins probably knows Adam is a plant inside his organization. He’ll be interrogating your brother for information.”
“What kind?” she asked, voice tight.
Zane didn’t miss that she’d asked about the information, not the methods of interrogation Adam might be enduring. Even if Claire asked, he wouldn’t divulge details. No point in giving her nightmares or making her more frantic to find her brother. Adam was a Marine, Force Recon. He’d endure as long as Collins didn’t have Claire. “Details about future missions, especially those dealing with drugs.”
“Like the one you will leak to the traitor?”
“That’s right.”
“How many of those missions does Fortress accept?”
“Too many,” Eli said. “That’s why Maddox is recruiting and sending people to PSI for training. We’re stretched thin covering active missions and government contracts.”
Zane snorted. What Eli didn’t say was those missions were more dangerous than the shipments to the CDC in Atlanta. Claire wouldn’t be comforted to know some missions entailed transporting enriched uranium for the government. According to Maddox, though, who better than Fortress to provide security?
“Then why does he agree to the missions if Fortress is so understaffed?”
“Someone must provide security for the shipments to the CDC and research laboratories,” Zane said. “We’re good at what we do and much better trained than standard government protection.”
“You don’t like taking these missions?”
“None of us do,” Jon said. “We don’t like handling or protecting germs or viruses that dangerous. But it’s preferable to not having cures and antidotes available if our troops are hit with that stuff by terrorists. American civilians are also at risk for exposure. We can stick our heads in the sand, but it might cost our children’s lives. Better we take the risk than our kids.”
The color drained from Claire’s cheeks and she pushed her nearly full plate away.
Zane caught Remy’s eye. Without a word, his friend crossed to the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of Coke, and set it in front of Claire.
After she drank a few sips, Zane draped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. He pressed a soft kiss against her temple. He longed to take her away from the danger, maybe to the beach. Long walks on the boardwalk, sunsets on a terrace, sharing a meal in the warm breezes blowing off the ocean. Not going to happen until Adam was safe.
“How much time does Adam have?” she asked.
Jon looked at Zane, one eyebrow raised in inquiry.
“Tell her.” If their relationship had any chance of lasting long term, she needed the truth no matter how much he longed to protect her.
“Two days, three at most. Collins will conclude by that point Adam will never talk and knows too much to live.”
“Why doesn’t he just talk?” Her voice shook. “His life isn’t worth holding secrets that won’t be secret for long. Once he’s released, Zane can change the arrangements.”
“It doesn’t work that way, sugar,” Eli said. “Adam is saving his own life by not spilling the information. He’s formulating escape plans. The minute your brother tells all he knows, Collins will kill him.”
“What’s the plan for rescuing him?”
“That’s the topic we’ll discuss with Durango this morning.” Jon paused. “Brenna and Dana will be at the bookstore today with Josh’s wife. Take pictures of Brenna with each fan. Great publicity photos for her.”
Claire eased away from Zane, her eyes narrowed. “I’m sure I would enjoy my time with them. That’s not going to happen, though. I may not be military, but my brother’s life is at stake and this creep Collins keeps sending thugs after me. Wouldn’t it be wiser for me to have all the information at my disposal?�
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“It’s better if you don’t,” Eli murmured. “You should stay miles away from Collins or his people.”
“I’m not some fainting Victorian woman who needs protection from the difficult things in life. You aren’t tucking me away in some remote part of the globe for my own protection.”
Eli chuckled and glanced at his friend. “Familiar, Jon?”
His partner snorted. “She sounds like our wives.” He turned to Claire. “Be sure, Claire. Once you have the information, you can’t erase it from your memory.”
“I’m not changing my mind.”
He studied her face a moment, nodded. “We meet Durango at PSI at ten o’clock.”
“How do you know there isn’t another traitor in the ranks at PSI?”
“We don’t. However, PSI has a secure room where we can’t be overheard. Durango checks for bugs, but we’ll use a jammer to be sure.”
“But a team is going after Adam, right? He’s your first priority?”
“We never leave one of our own behind,” Zane said. “The meeting at PSI is to plan Adam’s rescue.”
Her shoulders sagged in relief. “Then you’re not leaving me behind. I want to know everything you know.”
“We’ll tell you what we can.”
That earned him a roll of her eyes. He grinned. Yep, not a pushover which Zane appreciated. Most of the women he’d met since his injury had been in one of two categories. They either treated him as if he was invisible or helpless. Zane was neither. Very few went head-to-head with him. Lily and Claire fell into the third category. He might be stuck in this chair, but he was capable of doing almost anything he could do before the injury. He appreciated that Claire never questioned his ability to protect her himself or plan her protection detail. He’d die before letting anything happen to her on his watch.
At ten o’clock, Alex Morgan secured the door in the conference room while Josh engaged the signal jammer. Once seated at the table with the rest of Durango, the Doucets, Jon and Eli, and Claire, Zane signaled Jon to bring Josh’s team up to speed on Adam.
“You sure he’s still in the compound in Belize?” Josh asked once Jon had finished.
“Positive. I continued scanning communications at the compound as well as messages between Collins’ known operatives. Several of Collins’ main people made references to a spy who wasn’t cooperating. One slipped and used Adam’s cover name. I’m sure he’s being held prisoner, Josh.” Jon’s face darkened. “We need to finalize the plan and board the plane. Today. We can’t leave him down there any longer.”
Eli reached over and squeezed his friend’s shoulder. “We’ll get him out, Jon. Chill.”
The muscles in Jon’s jaw flexed before he nodded.
“You’ve studied Collins and his organization the most,” Nate said. “Any suggestions on how to spring Adam?”
Jon’s gaze shifted to Zane. “Yeah, but Z won’t like it.”
His muscles tightened. “Let’s hear it.”
“Collins’ daughter is getting married this weekend.”
No way. He tucked Claire closer to his side with a fierce glare at the other man. Yeah, he could guess the scenario. And Jon was right. He hated it. He’d promised to protect her, not dump her in the middle of an operation to save her brother.
“And?” Rio asked.
“Lilah Collins’ photographer canceled last night. Her mother was in a car accident in California and is in critical condition. The photographer is an only child and her mother will need help when she leaves the hospital. If she leaves. There’s still a question as to whether the mother will survive.”
“You’re out of your mind.” Zane’s voice was soft, but his feelings were crystal clear. “We’re not taking Claire to Belize, right into the heart of Collins’ stronghold. Adam would never allow her to go.”
Claire tilted her head. “You want me to take wedding pictures, knowing my brother is somewhere in that compound, suffering whatever torture Collins dreamed up?”
“Yes.” Jon propped his folded arms on the table. “Collins will be busy hosting the wedding. Lilah is his only child and his wife passed away five years ago. He’ll be distracted with the festivities and, with so many guests in attendance, we’ll have a better chance of slipping into the compound unnoticed.”
“Wouldn’t he suspect something? Collins knows who I am. I’ll be surrounded by his people. Why would I present myself to him as a sacrificial lamb?”
“We know who he is and that he has Adam. Collins doesn’t realize you know he’s giving orders to bring you in. Lilah needs a photographer. What better coup than for Claire Walker to take the pictures? From his perspective, it’s perfect. Fantastic wedding pictures for his beloved daughter and, once the wedding guests leave the premises, he’ll have a hostage to use as leverage. It’s also the distraction we need to gain access to his compound with minimal collateral damage. Collins may not be a law abiding citizen, but he has an image to maintain, especially on Lilah’s wedding day.”
“It’s a lousy plan with many possibilities for absolute failure. We could lose Claire and Adam. I hate your plan,” Zane snapped.
“Didn’t figure you’d like it much.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Zane insisted. “You would never risk Dana this way. What makes you think I’ll allow this?”
“Hear me out, Z. You and Claire. If you both agree this is a foolhardy plan, we’ll come up with something else. We can’t go in with guns blazing with innocent bystanders in the area. And consider this. If Claire is photographing his daughter’s wedding, any attempt to harm her will attract way too much attention. Besides, Collins won’t want to ruin Lilah’s big day by hurting the photographer before she completes her job.”
“If I agree to this, what will you guys do while I’m working?” Claire asked.
“I’m not letting you do this.” Zane stomach lurched so hard he was afraid he’d puke. Just the thought of Collins’ hands on Claire made him sick. Collins wouldn’t hesitate to make her suffer to get what he wanted.
“Zane.” Claire gently turned his face toward her and held his gaze with her own. “This isn’t your choice. It’s mine.”
“You don’t understand how dangerous this man is, baby. Once the wedding festivities are over, he’ll use you to break Adam.”
“She won’t be sticking around,” Jon insisted. “Once the photographs are taken, we’ll get her out of there. That’s where Lily and Remy come in.” He turned to Claire. “You need assistants, right?”
“I don’t usually need three.”
Jon’s gaze slid to Zane, his eyebrow raised.
Relief rolled through Zane at her statement. Once again, Claire assumed he was capable of participating in her protection, accepting his presence at her side in the most dangerous situation she’d ever been involved in. “That’s the only way Claire will board the plane to Belize. Either I go with her or she doesn’t step foot in the jet.”
Nate’s eyebrows rose. “Strong statement, Z.”
Went along with his strong feelings. So many things could and would go wrong. All of them might be fatal.
“Have a plan for getting Claire into the compound, Jon?” Josh asked. “Walking up and knocking on the door with her camera in hand would make him suspicious.”
“Z and his girlfriend need to go on a trip with her two assistants. A working vacation. Lots of opportunities to take pictures for a future magazine spread with plenty of time for cementing her relationship with Zane. After all, they’re crazy about each other. At least that’s the story we’ll spread.”
“It’s not a story,” Claire said softly, her head leaning against Zane’s shoulder. “I am crazy about him.”
Heart hammering, Zane raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers. “Ditto,” he murmured.
“All the better,” Jon insisted. “You won’t be acting. I’ll spread the word on the Net about your vacation plans. You won’t be down there long before Collins takes the bait.”
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br /> Claire winced. “I wish you had used a different phrase.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Zane slipped his laptop into the large pocket at the back of his chair, doubtful he’d have time to work this evening. He didn’t want to leave his laptop unprotected, either in the van or in the house of a friend. He didn’t trust anyone that much, not with so many instances of betrayal. He glanced at Claire. “You ready?” Remy had just parked in front of Darcy St. Claire’s house. Zane did a double take. Some house.
“To help a very sweet couple by recording an unforgettable moment in their lives?” She smiled. “Oh, yes. I’m ready. This will be a great way to kick off the mission to rescue Adam. Do you think Rio is ready for this?”
“He wants to marry that woman as fast as she’ll agree to walk down the aisle with him.” Lily turned with a grin on her face. “So, yeah, I’d say he’s ready.”
Remy pressed the button activating the lift, then opened the side door. “We better go. I saw Rio’s face through the window. He looks edgy.”
“Sounds like you, Lily,” Zane said with a grin.
She frowned over her shoulder at him. “Not nice, Zane.”
“He’s right, though, babe,” Remy said. “I’m not the one who had to be convinced we could make a marriage work.” A smug look crossed his face. “And let it be noted that I was right.”
“Rio doesn’t have anything to worry about. Unlike me, Darcy’s parents loved her and Trent, and each other.”
“Hey.” Remy waited until his wife’s gaze swung to his. “Your parents loved you, too. You just didn’t know it at the time. I hate that your childhood was so rough, but I’m head over heels in love with the woman you’ve become. Your past helped forge you into a powerhouse of strength and character. Now, let’s go distract our favorite medic before he drives himself crazy.”
Once they were out of the van, Claire said, “Lily and Remy are so good together. It’s hard to believe she didn’t think they would make it as a couple.”
“Didn’t take Remy long to convince her otherwise.”