“Doctor.”
“I won’t be long.” Rock followed her, disappearing behind the closed door.
“You know Doc Aniston?”
Tugging him toward the only two empty chairs, they sat down. “Kim Aniston is a good friend of my father’s. I mean, a very good friend. They don’t think I know and probably believe they’ve kept their relationship away from her son. He was one of the paramedics tonight.”
“She mentioned him.”
“He’s a great guy. We meet for coffee every couple months to compare notes on our parents.” She shifted, her eyes clouding for an instant. “His father died years ago, as did my mother. We don’t know why Dad and his mom don’t just get it out in the open. It must be hard keeping it between the two of them.”
“Maybe they’re unsure how you two will react.”
Opening her mouth to respond, she stilled when the front doors slid open. Sully and Kell moved straight toward them.
“How is he?” Sully loomed over them, Kell beside him.
Standing, Ghost kept his voice calm. “Rock’s with him now. Doc Aniston says he’s stable and will be moved to critical care soon.”
“Good.” Sully stared at the closed door, as if willing it to open. “Doctor Aniston is one of the best.”
Rising, Dani wedged herself between Ghost and her father. “Ali volunteered to be Jace’s nurse.”
“I’m not surprised. Kell, make arrangements for him to be placed in a private room once he’s approved to leave critical care. Did Kim…I mean, Doc Aniston give any information on his injuries.”
Ghost shot a knowing glance at Dani before answering. “Not unless she’s provided more to Rock.” As the words left his lips, Rock came through the door. Ghost met him partway.
“How is he?”
“Better than you’d think.” They walked back to the others, ignoring the stares of the inhabitants of the emergency waiting area. Most centered their interest on Sully.
“He didn’t wake up, but from what I read on his chart, there are first and second degree burns on his arms and legs. Mild burns on his hands. That’s as far as I got before the nurse kicked me out so they could move him to critical care.”
“Thank God for old fashioned paper notations,” Dani whispered.
Sully placed a reassuring hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “My guess is Doc Aniston wanted us to hear it from the doctor in the critical care unit.”
“There are several chairs over in the corner.” Kell motioned across the room. “We’ll be able to talk a little more freely there.”
Sitting down, Sully leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “The investigation is going to take some time. The good news is the explosions occurred in the office and main storage facility, which is constructed of cinderblock. If they’d struck the cabins, the damage would’ve been much worse.”
“Why there and not the armory or comm center?” Ghost asked, resting his arm on the back of Dani’s chair. A gesture not lost on her father.
Sully rubbed a hand through his short hair. “They may have thought the offices included the comm center. Maybe the computer servers, too.”
“The tribal police, along with our people, are scouring the entire compound. The three Delta Force guys are with them. I expect the Feds will descend on us within the hour.” Kell looked between Ghost and Rock. “It’s too soon to know for certain, but it appears our security was breached. One gas canister has been found. We won’t have positive confirmation until a detailed analysis is complete, but the remnants of a complicated wiring system were attached. From what I could see, someone rigged a two-step detonator. Step one released gas. Step two triggered a spark. From there…” He shrugged.
“Kaboom,” Ghost muttered. “Could someone plant four canisters?”
“Possibly.” Kell leaned forward, glancing around. “Nothing is confirmed. It’s my best guess from what’s been found. If someone planted one, they could plant more.”
“Robertson, did you learn anything from Wrath?” Sully asked.
“One of our men drove his truck to the clubhouse. No one noticed anything suspicious. He parked it in the usual spot behind the clubhouse. About fifteen minutes later, a truck bomb blew, destroying several bikes and blowing our parts room to bits.”
“Remotely detonated?” Rock asked.
Ghost nodded. “Two of our men were injured. Wrath sent one to the hospital.” He shot a look at Rock, indicating they’d talk specifics later. “Wrangler looped into chatter between darknet users about an attack on an undisclosed target an hour before the truck exploded.”
“Just one target?” Kell asked.
“That’s what Wrath indicated, and no location. I need to let him know what you suspect.”
Sully lifted a hand. “Hold off until we have more information.” Standing, he motioned for Ghost and Rock. “I need to speak with you two. Dani, stick with Kell.”
Following Sully outside, Ghost turned so he could see through the glass doors into the waiting area. Dani leaned toward Kell, their heads almost touching as they spoke. An unfamiliar ache stabbed at him, seeing how comfortable the two were together. He knew they had a solid working relationship. Did they have more? Could the two be lovers as well as coworkers?
Lips thinning, he vaguely heard Sully’s voice. “You with me on this, Robertson?”
Dammit. He’d missed whatever the older man had said. “Sorry, sir. What did you say?”
“Look, son. I know you’re worried about DeWitt, but I need you with me. Wrath called earlier today. He asked my opinion of your progress.”
A cold lump stuck in Ghost’s throat. He’d thought to have another week before the hammer of justice signaled his fate. As expected, the attack at both WETC and the clubhouse changed priorities. His future meant little when lives were in danger.
“Yes, sir?”
“You’ve improved, but not enough to get a clean sign-off.”
“I—”
“Stow it, Robertson. Here’s how this week is going to go down. We’re under siege, meaning WETC is on modified lockdown. DeWitt will be here for at least a few more days. Wrath needs all of you. He’ll get Walker,” he nodded at Rock, “who’s returning to Liberty Lake. You’ll be staying here.”
“To continue the training?”
“In part. The rest of the time you’ll be assisting Kell.” Sully turned his back on Dani. “And watching out for my daughter.”
The order, and it was an order coming from Tom Sullivan, jerked Ghost to attention. “Besides the fact I’m not a babysitter, Dani won’t allow anyone to protect her.”
Stepping forward, hands fisted on his waist, Sully’s chest almost butted Ghost’s. “Keeping Dani safe is not a damn babysitting job.” Shooting a quick glance behind him to see Dani and Kell talking, he slowly turned back to Ghost. “The first blast came from her office,” he bit out. “Not where computer and comm supplies are kept, but my daughter’s office. What does that tell you, Robertson?”
Ghost didn’t have to consider the implications. “Who the fuck would target Dani? And if she is a target, why go for the office and not her cabin?”
“I don’t have answers for you.” Sully blew out on a ragged sigh, moving away. “I’ll not lose her to some crazed terrorist.”
The description surprised both Ghost and Rock.
“You’ve already narrowed it down?” Rock asked.
“There are two groups who want to see WETC closed down. Competitors who want to take over our business, and terrorist cells who don’t want us training more elite warriors.”
Ghost crossed his arms. “You don’t think it’s a competitor?”
“There’s only one who’d have the balls to come after me this way.”
Brow raised, Ghost waited.
“My ex-partner. He’s a real sonofabitch, but even he wouldn’t go after Dani. His plan would be strategic, tactically sound, and targeted at me. The explosions took time to set in motion, but the execution stinks of amateu
r expertise. Haphazard, without the thorough recon to attain their goal.”
Rubbing his stubbled chin, Rock grunted. “Good point. Believing it’s terrorists casts a wide net, sir. What’s your idea for narrowing it down?”
“One name has surfaced lately,” Sully said. “Does Abdul-Bari Zahir mean anything to either of you?”
“The man purported to be the head of a New Mexico cell?”
“He is the leader of the New Mexico cell. Seems he isn’t satisfied to be under suspicion in one state. Zahir is now focusing his attention on Arizona.”
“Headquarters?” Ghost asked.
“Don’t know. I’m counting on you to help us find out.”
Chapter Ten
Liberty Lake
Sheriff Ethan McCord surveyed the damage. It had been a masterful touch to use the truck of an Eternal Brethren member to execute the attack. A bomb with a remote detonator. If Wrath’s man had lingered, there’d have been three casualties.
“Demons Blood or Night Devils?”
Ethan shot a look at his older brother before shaking his head. Caid McCord, Wrath to most, held onto his anger by a slim thread. “Why does it have to be limited to those two? I don’t know much about what you and Wrangler are involved in, but I’m not blind. Your work puts you in the crosshairs of several groups besides rival motorcycle clubs.”
Wrath often felt guilty at the way he had to keep his middle brother at arm’s length. Growing up, they’d been tight, inseparable. Then he’d joined the Navy, becoming a SEAL. Ethan had gone Army, making the cut into Special Forces. A couple years later, their youngest brother, Quinn, followed Wrath, earning the Wrangler moniker.
Due to the deep cover nature of their assignments, the oldest and youngest McCord brothers often found themselves forced to keep confidences. Ethan never complained, supporting them in whatever mission they’d been ordered to complete.
Still, a chasm had developed, continuing to widen the longer Wrath and Wrangler were part of Eternal Brethren. The only time the three could be themselves was at their parents’ ranch. Freedom Meadow would be theirs one day, and even with their busy lives, the three tried to spend as much of their free time there as possible.
Threading fingers through his hair, Wrath studied the destruction, considering Ethan’s words. He’d already told his brother of the explosions at WETC and the possibility of them being connected to the bomb at the clubhouse.
“I spoke with Ghost before you arrived. Tom Sullivan believes the attack on WETC was performed by a terrorist cell from New Mexico.”
“Abdul-Bari Zahir?”
Wrath’s head snapped toward Ethan. “You know him?”
Chuckling, he knelt down, brushing debris from a mangled portion of the truck’s fender. “You aren’t the only black ops group. And I still have connections in Special Forces.”
Crouching beside him, Wrath touched the same piece of metal. “What do you know about him?”
Ethan sucked in, then blew out a slow breath. “Ruthless and relentless in his pursuit of the jihadist cause. He’s a prolific recruiter, turning disillusioned Americans into indoctrinated converts.” Scanning the area again, he shoved at another piece of debris. “The explosions at WETC could definitely be his work. The center is located close to the New Mexico border. Could be Zahir is expanding his reach.”
“Would he be ballsy enough to attack this far from his base?”
Taking another look around, Ethan stood, brushing his hands down his pants. “Hard to say. A truck bomb is different than four strategically placed bombs. Instinct tells me the two weren’t ordered by Zahir. It doesn’t mean he didn’t coordinate with a local cell.”
Rising next to him, Wrath saw Wrangler step outside, signaling for him to join them. The three McCord brothers stood in a close circle, talking in muffled tones.
“I need to know what you’re hearing about a new cell in Arizona.”
Brows furrowing, Wrangler shook his head. “I would’ve told you if there’d been any chatter, Wrath.”
“Anything, Quinn.”
His brother’s use of his given name on Eternal Brethren property indicated the gravity of his concern.
“There are a couple threads concerning strange activity in southern Arizona. I took it to mean the movement of illegals across the border. I passed it along to you and Grayson, but his team already knew about it. Beyond that, nothing.”
Ethan reached into a back pocket. Pulling out three sticks of gum, he handed two over before unwrapping his own. Slipping it into his mouth, he grabbed his phone, snapping several shots of the area.
“I’ll send this off to friends of mine, along with any information the Feds supply.”
Wrath turned at the sound of a vehicle entering the compound. “Fuck. I’d hoped they wouldn’t get wind of this so soon.” Drawing his phone from a pocket, he sent off a quick text. “Well, damn. Guess it’s time to play nice with the suits.”
White Eagle Training Center
Sully held an unlit cigar between his teeth, watching the government issued car drive away. It had taken them a day to arrive. “The good news is we’ll have the services of the FBI lab.”
“The bad news is we’ve no choice about working with their agents,” Kell muttered. “If we’re real blessed, they’ll release the area soon so we can start clean-up. I don’t know how we’ll provide training classes for at least two weeks.”
“We won’t.” Turning away, he began walking, motioning Kell to join him.
Kell eyed Sully, brows pinching together. “But you told Robertson—”
“I need him to stay. His strengths are in both strategic and tactical combat intelligence. According to Wrath, the man has a sixth sense about sorting through the clutter to focus on what’s significant.”
“Sorry, Sully, but you’re one of the best, and WETC is your baby. For Robertson, it’s just another training facility.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Robertson couldn’t be more invested in finding out who’s behind the attack. DeWitt is still in critical care. He and Robertson are tight, and he has no intention of heading out without him. Plus, he won’t leave until he knows Dani is safe.”
“No matter his current status, there’s no argument Robertson’s a damn fine warrior. Maybe a better leader. Word is he turned down an offer to head up a deep cover team back east. I’d trust the man with my life.”
Removing the cigar, Sully chuckled. “Tell me what you don’t like.”
“We both know he’s the man who sent Dani into a tailspin.”
Returning the cigar to dangle between his lips, a frown marred his features. “As much as I don’t like it, he’s also the man who’s sharing her bed.”
“Fuck, Sully. Are you monitoring your own daughter?”
“What do you think?”
“There’ll be hell to pay if she finds out, Sully.”
“She won’t.”
“Are you willing to bet your life on it? Because that may be what’s at stake.”
Grabbing the cigar from his mouth, Sully tossed it into a bin before entering the building now being used for offices. “I’ll do whatever I can to protect her, Kell. If she ends up with a broken heart, so be it. As long as she’s alive after we’ve neutralized the threat, I’ll live with the methods used to achieve it.”
Seeing Dani walking toward them, Kell sent Sully one last look of warning. “It’s your decision.”
“You’re damn right it is.” A smile curved the edges of his mouth as she approached.
“We’ve got both your temporary offices set up.” She shot a smile to Kell. “The contractors you hired for our comm and computer systems are incredible. Already have us back up.”
“Where’s Robertson?”
“Right here, sir.” Ghost emerged from one of the rooms, slipping his phone into a pocket. “The doctor gave his approval to move Jace to a private room. If he’s up to it, I can take him back to Liberty Lake as soon as day after tomorrow. The doc says the burn
center associated with the hospital is top-notch.”
Rock had already left. The Special Forces students were leaving in the morning.
Sully stroked a stubbled jaw. “Take Dani and visit DeWitt. Make certain he has everything he needs.”
Dani stepped between the men, glaring at her father. “There’s no reason for me to go. I’m more valuable here, confirming we’re operational.”
“You’ll go with Robertson.”
Crossing her arms, she didn’t budge. “I’m needed here.”
He shot her a look that chilled most men. Not Dani. “You’ll go to the hospital. Talk to Ali. I want the truth about DeWitt’s condition, not from a doctor I don’t know.”
“You know Kim Aniston well enough. Talk to her.” She winced the instant the words were out.
Fisted hands on his hips, he glared down at her. “What does that mean?”
Backing away, she shook her head. “Never mind.”
“You’ve got something to say, spit it out.”
Dani glanced at Ghost, then Kell, not wanting to have this discussion in front of them. “Forget it.” Turning, she came to a halt when Sully snagged her arm.
“Say what’s on your mind, Dani.” Dropping his hand, he waited.
“We are not having this talk now. Maybe never by the way you’ve been avoiding it.”
A slight nod of Sully’s head had Ghost and Kell taking several steps away. Far enough to allow a private conversation.
“They can’t hear. Tell me what’s gotten you so riled.”
“This isn’t a good time, Dad. I’m sorry I ever said anything. Can we leave it at that?”
Placing an arm around her shoulders, Sully guided her outside. Closing the door, he turned her to face him.
“All right, sweetheart. Whatever it is, I need to hear it.”
Closing her eyes, Dani sucked in a breath, straightening her spine. “Kim Aniston.”
Mouth drawing into a thin line, his brow quirked upward. “What about her?”
“Really, Dad?”
True confusion crossed his face. “You don’t like her?”
Tipping her head back, she stared at the sky. After a moment, Dani met his searching gaze. “I like her fine. Kim’s son likes you fine.”
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