NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team

by Chelsea Handcock

  Everyone had been walking around on eggshells waiting for Ryleigh to go into labor. But when first five and half months passed and then six, they were all pretty confident the baby she was carrying was human. Maybe that’s why Jacks was okay with her leaving at this stage of her pregnancy to get these tests run because she still had several more months to go.

  Bas wasn't sure how he would handle all that, especially when and if he had to stay behind while his mate left, but Bas was pretty sure he wouldn’t be handling it as well as Jacks seemed to be. At least Cash would be with her at all times, and now Bas wouldn’t be that far away either if shit hit the fan. There were still too many people interested in Ryleigh and the women of The Holly Group. Bas hated to think about what would happen if something did go wrong with this trip.

  Letting his eyes drift shut, one question was still on his mind: who was Skylar Thomas and what did she have to do with all of this? Her name appeared in the file, and it was apparent that she supported Shelby Thomas. Link had mentioned that Tuck was working with a girl named Pixie. Where they the same person? The file did say that she built bikes, so it was a distinct possibility. He wondered what she looked like, imagining a big, sturdy, manly girl. Bas hadn’t met many female mechanics, but he couldn’t imagine them as being attractive in any way

  He couldn’t see the Shelby chick ever getting dirty or working on bikes. She exuded princess like no other. He also wondered why this Sky person was taking care of her and had been for so long. Family was family. He would do anything for his blooded or chosen, but they would never take advantage like the chick in the file. Then again, why did he even care or want to know? Pixie wasn’t his target, so what she looked like didn’t matter. Letting it go, he decided he would find out soon.

  He didn’t have time to think about useless shit or the odd woman in the file. Skylar wasn’t his target and didn’t play into any of what was going on with NAC or The Holly Group. Deciding sitting around wasn't getting him anywhere, Bas rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes, sat up, and got out of bed. He didn’t have time to sleep right now. He needed to make sure his go-bag was prepped and ready for his assignment.

  Bas went to his closet and pulled out his go-bag. It held everything he would ever need—a first aid kit, weapons, clothing, GPS, money, identification, and credentials. All good soldiers had go-bags, and this one had saved him more times than Bas could count. He hadn't used it since the last mission. Bas knew the contents were sound, but he still added a couple of t-shirts, a few pairs of socks, and some clean underwear just to be safe. No one wanted to run around in dirty drawers and smelly socks. Then he sat down and once again got to work looking into one Shelby Thomas.

  Chapter 6

  After a couple of hours, Bas left his room and met up with Cash and Ryleigh in the kitchen, Ryleigh with her jumbo mug of coffee and Cash working at the stove. It was still early, but Bas knew other members of the Team would soon be filing in, ready to get the day started.

  “Hey, little sister, you ready for this adventure?” Bas asked.

  Usually, he wouldn’t have bugged her until she had finished her coffee, but Bas was excited and wanted to get this mission on the road as soon as possible. Or at least, before Wyatt and Peyton made their usual morning appearance. He wanted to leave on a good note and having to hold back his bear would hamper that. Ryleigh didn’t answer, so he turned his attention to Cash.

  “Hey, man, what time are we heading out?”

  “Soon,” Cash replied. “I already put mine and Rye’s stuff by the door. I wanted her to eat before we took off. Jacks is on the phone with Mia right now firming up our plans. Once he gets back, we can be on our way. You have your stuff ready or do you need to do that now?”

  “No, I’m good, did it last night after the meeting. I left it in my room, it will only take me a second to grab it and go once you two are ready. Are we using the airstrip here or driving down to Travers?”

  “Here, the weather is holding, and the tarmac is clear.”

  Bas was happy to hear that. The weather in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was iffy at best in February. They were experiencing warmer than normal temperature and a lack of snow, a miracle for this time of the year. Bas made his own cup of coffee and stole a couple of the pieces of bacon Cash had fried before sitting down at the table.

  Jacks came in, grabbed Ryleigh, and planted a hotter than hell kiss on her lips. Bas got up from the table and decided the wallpaper was a better place to look. Those two went at it often and in front of everyone, but it still sometimes shocked Bas. He thought those moments were meant to be private. Cash must have felt the same way because he was once again in front of the stove, his back to the room. Bas was about to excuse himself when he heard Jacks say, “You guys are all set.” He didn’t wait for any type of acknowledgment from any of them and started a sit-rep right in the kitchen.

  “Weather is good all the way down to Kentucky. Mia and Carter will meet all of you at the airstrip once you’ve landed. I’ve instructed them to bring a vehicle for Bas. Once you arrive in Kentucky, Cash, Ryleigh, Mia, and Carter will depart and move on to Urban Oaks. It’s one of the Holly Group’s private medical facilities if inquiring minds are interested. Bas will take the vehicle provided by Carter and head out to Defiance, Kentucky.

  “Mia said that the testing will start upon arrival at the medical facility, but should conclude by evening. She wants Ryleigh to stay for observation for 24 hours. She also asked if Ryleigh would be willing to remain a couple of days longer to help with the tranquilizer analysis. I told her it was up to you, babe,” Jacks said looking at Ryleigh.

  “I don’t like the idea, but I’ll leave that decision up to you,” he continued. “I would feel more comfortable if your ass was safely planted here at Alpha, but I can’t deny the urgency in identifying the drug in those darts. Whatever Pandora put in those tranquilizers needs to be discovered and a countermeasure developed immediately.”

  “If we’re going to keep storming their bases, our guys can’t be put out for the count. I, for one, never want to experience the loss of my beast. The fucker might be prickly, but he’s mine. Having that part ripped away for even a little while means they could develop something in the future to permanently remove our abilities. That can’t ever happen.”

  “I’ll let you know,” Ryleigh nodded. “I don’t want to make any decisions until I see what they have. I might be able to help, but then again, I might not. I don’t want to be away longer than a day or two, so I’ll call you later and let you know what’s going on.”

  “Sounds like a plan, baby. Cash, you okay if this turns into more than a one-day trip?”

  “Yeah, my reports are up to date, and I need to have a meeting with Carter, anyway,” Cash responded. “Rumor has it that there’s an unknown Shifter out there claiming to be my family. I’m not putting any stock into it, but I want to hear what Carter has to say, get a description, and a general whereabouts of the guy if possible.”

  “That’s news to me,” Jacks said” but keep me up to date. Wyatt can provide tech support if needed, just let us know.”

  “Will do,” Cash said as he placed a plate of food down in front of the now sitting Ryleigh.

  “Bas, your job is simple, observe Shelby Thomas and report back,” Jacks stated. “If she’s a plant, I don’t expect them to be putting up a neon sign to advertise the fact. I want to know her movements, the people she hangs out with, and whatever else you can dig up. If you get a chance, a hair follicle for testing wouldn't go unappreciated if you know what I mean. But I want contact to remain limited.”

  Bas nodded his head in acknowledgment.

  “All right people. As much as I would like to delay this mission further, you need to get a move on while the weather is holding. I only want clear skies ahead for this trip. Come on, babe, eat up, and I’ll help you get your coat and shit.”

  Ryleigh didn’t eat, only taking the toast and filling a travel mug with more coffee, following Jacks out of
the kitchen. Cash was shaking his head at Ryleigh’s antics. Bas took her barely touched plate and started shoveling the food into his mouth.

  Cash had been keeping things from all of them. There wasn’t any reason to, but what surprised him the most was that he had kept that information about a possible relative from Jacks. They had been best friends since birth. Once Bas cleared Ryleigh’s plate, he took it to the sink, rinsing it off, and putting it in the dishwasher before turning to Cash.

  “Man, you doing okay?”

  Being a Shifter, your senses were enhanced, and you could smell things like sickness or basic emotions. Right now, Cash was putting off vibes of both. None of them did the emotional shit. They were men. But if a brother was in trouble, they all had each other’s backs. It seemed Cash was possibly in the same state as Bas was right now.

  “I’m fine, man, just dealing with some shit, same as you,” Cash admitted. “How about we blow this popsicle stand and fly to greener pastures? Or at least less snow-covered ones. I’m looking forward to a little sunshine.”

  “Sounds good. Lead the way, brother,” Bas suggested. Bas and Cash made their way to the front door to find Ryleigh standing there alone.

  “Hey Rye, where did Jacks take off to?” Cash asked.

  “The safe room,” she said, a defeated expression on her face.

  “Ah, why did he go to the safe room, honey?” Cash asked.

  Bas was already reaching for the hidden compartment in the wall to retrieve a weapon. Ryleigh put her hand on his before he could open the compartment.

  “It’s not like that, Bas,” she assured. “He said it was better this way. His bear doesn’t want me to go,” Ryleigh said with tears in her eyes.

  “Aw shit, honey,” Bas said, hugging her close, “it's going to be okay. You know that, right?”

  “Yeah, he took Ethan with him, and he’s using some of his ‘stuff’ to keep him restrained.”

  Bas pushed Ryleigh back out of his arms and quickly looked to Cash. Ethan was heavily into the BDSM scene. They both got shit-eating grins on their faces and started storming towards Jacks office which held the safe room. If Jacks was strung up like some kind of sacrifice, they both wanted to see it, maybe even take pictures. Dalton was standing at the entrance to the hall and held out his hand.

  “I know you both want to see this,” he said smiling,” but I’m under strict orders to make you follow through with the plan as stated. Ryleigh needs to be on her way and in the air in less than an hour. Otherwise, all three of you are grounded for the foreseeable future.”

  Bas and Cash stood there for a second, weighing their options. Bas needed to get away from Alpha but seeing this might be worth the crap his bear would pull for staying. Cash seemed to have the same indecision on his mind.

  Ryleigh cured that by crying, “Please, I don’t want to hurt him. Can we please just go?”

  Bas and Cash did the only thing they could, they followed Ryleigh out of the lodge and into the waiting SUV. She was still crying softly to herself when Cash got in the driver side, started the SUV, and put the vehicle in drive. The measures Jacks took so Ryleigh could have something she needed proved how much he truly cared for her. Bas was in awe of the man at that moment.

  The trip to the airstrip was fast; it was only about thirty miles away from the Alpha base. Jacks had hired a friend of Ryleigh’s, Ollie, to manage and maintain the building and vehicles. He also took care of the grounds and the airstrip. He was retired from the military and his wife had wanted a pretty place to spend the rest of their lives, her words, not Bas’. The Upper Peninsula was surely all that, at least most of the year and if you liked snow, all year.

  Jacks and Rye had bought the couple a lake house as part of the compensation package. Ollie had served for twenty-five years, and the Army repaid him by booting his ass due to age, which they all felt was a bunch of crap. The guy could run circles around them any day of the week. He reminded Bas of the energizer bunny.

  Ollie was the best mechanic and jack-of-all-trades, any of them had seen in a while. The military was stupid to have let go such a talent for something as stupid as age. Ollie's also knew how to keep his mouth shut, never questioning them about missions they were coming back from or leaving for from the airstrip. The only exceptions had to do with the maintenance of the airstrip, vehicles, or grounds, then the man could talk your ear off. He either talked about the weather, fishing, boating, or football. If they came in from a mission and forgot themselves—which didn’t happen often, but occasionally, shit happened—Ollie was nowhere to be found.

  Since they owned the airstrip, they were able to drive the SUV right up on the tarmac where Ollie was waiting for them, clipboard in hand. Ryleigh got out first and went right over to the older man, giving him a hug.

  “Hey, short stuff, your hubby said to get you out fast,” Ollie said. “The bird is locked, loaded, and ready to fly.”

  “Thanks, Ollie, when I get back you and Pat need to come out to the house for dinner,” Ryleigh suggested. “Emma promised to make her meatloaf.”

  “Sounds like a plan, honey. I’ll let Pat know.”

  Ollie helped Ryleigh to the stairs and waited at the bottom until she was out of sight. Handing the clipboard off to Cash, he said, “Pre-check has been completed, flight plan filed, and weather reports for the next couple of day are attached. You guys go get comfortable, and I’ll pull the stairs and detach the air starter.”

  Cash shook the man’s hand, saying thanks, and made his way onto the plane. Bas followed suit and did the same. He liked Ollie and hoped the man would stick with them for years to come. He was an asset that NAC, and Alpha Team specifically, needed.

  Chapter 7

  The flight and arrival went as planned. Mia and Carter meet them on the tarmac and all parties left to do their appointed tasks. Bas exchanged numbers with both Carter and Mia in case something unexpected happened and they needed to get a hold of him. None of them expected problems, but being prepared was the name of the game.

  Currently, Bas was sitting on a barstool in a lovely place called the Bearded Frog, sipping on an icy cold bottle of beer, waiting for his brothers to show up. It was a little out-of-the-way bar the MC frequented often. It was a typical biker bar with low lights, loud music, and the place smelled of sweat, piss, beer, and puke. The interior was dingy and well worn. The bar surface was scratched and scuffed, and the stool barely held his weight. But the booze was strong, and the beer was cold. What more could a man ask for in an establishment?

  Well, Bas sought a couple of things. He wanted to get as much information as possible on Shelby Thomas before he started his surveillance. The problem was with his time driving down here and now, waiting on his brothers, he had nothing but time to think. The distance from Alpha Team was helping his state of mind, but he was still in a quagmire about what to do about his bear.

  He genuinely wanted Peyton to be happy. She had more than earned a happy life after everything Judy Carlton had put her through, and Bas knew Wyatt was the best man for her. Now if he could get his beast on board, his life would be a whole lot easier. Coming to hang out with his human brothers was a little bittersweet. He had a blood connection and cared for them, but as children, they were never allowed to be close. His dad, the bastard that he was, kept Bas separate from them, allowing their mother to take them away, leaving him with said asshole. It was the way of the Shifter world. Trying to form bonds as adults sucked a bit, but there was nothing which could change that now. They were always accommodating and never expected much from him, allowing him to show up when he pleased and part ways in the same fashion.

  His blood brothers were all badasses in their own right, having served their country and getting out, only to decide everyone else’s version of normal wasn’t for them. They decided joining the Ruthless Bastards, but still serving in the way that they could by being mercenaries, was what they sought in life. Bas respected that, and although their lives were very different, they were also the same. H
is brothers had their club, and he had Alpha Team. Mostly, they were looking for connection and family, and each of them had found it in a different way. One thing he knew for sure, if any of them needed him, he would be there in a heartbeat. Bas hoped they felt the same about him.

  Bas’ frustration with himself, his bear, and his family—both blooded and chosen—were weighing heavily on him. He craved a mate of his own if only to satiate his bear, but doubted any woman would ever be able to put up with his overbearing nature. The distance from the base was helping, but it was only putting a band-aid on a much bigger problem. Bas had limited time to come up a way to control his bear around his sister and Wyatt, and he had absolutely no idea how to make that happen.

  Still caught up in his contemplation, Bas smiled when he heard the telltale signs of his brother’s arrival. The rumble of the massive Harleys rattled the windows in the rundown little bar. Bas couldn't have held off the grin plastered on his face if he tried. He was excited to be reuniting with his brothers for the first time in way too long. Bas turned the barstool, so it was facing the door and waited for the three jokers to come through it.

  When only Link, the eldest of his three brothers, and his President, Tuck, walked through the door, Bas was puzzled. This didn’t bode well. Link smiled and walked his way. Bas stood and couldn’t help the bear hug he graced upon his younger brother.

  “Yo man, it’s good to see you,” Bas said before letting Link go.

  Link slapped him on the shoulder saying, “Yeah man, it's been too long. Got some information for you. Why don’t we take this back to the office?” motioning him to follow.

  “Sounds good, man,” Bas responded as he followed his younger brother, nodding to Tuck as he walked passed him.

  It was funny to think about it, but he and Link looked nothing alike, with the exception maybe in their build. That came from their old man. They all had it, big and bulky. However, nothing else about them was even remotely similar.