Targeted

by Katie Reus

  Revving the engine, he hit the accelerator and tore out of the parking lot.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just don’t want to hang around here longer than necessary.” For all he knew, Alexander had been tailed and Jack really didn’t want to deal with local law enforcement. Considering the shooting at Bayside Marketplace yesterday, he definitely didn’t need to be noticed right now. According to Wesley he hadn’t been caught on any cameras and there weren’t any witnesses that had come forward, but tangling with the locals until this op was completed wasn’t something he needed.

  “Are we going to meet your boss now?”

  Jack glanced at the clock on the radio. “Not yet. He should be landing soon and we’ve got one more stop to make.”

  “What’s in the duffel bag?”

  He debated telling her when she swiveled around and unzipped the bag. “Holy shit, is this what I think it is?”

  His lips quirked up. “What do you think it is?”

  “Don’t be a smart-ass. Is this some kind of explosive?” She zipped up the bag and straightened back against her seat, her eyes a little wide.

  “I told you it pays to always have a backup plan.”

  She muttered something in Spanish and turned to stare out the window.

  The silence in the SUV was almost deafening until they pulled into the Opa-Lopka facilities. There was tight security at the front gate, but there was a back entrance on the far side of the airport. Something Jack had never understood. A simple fenced gate with a cheap lock was the only preventative measure. Once he’d picked it, they drove through. He slowed his pace as they circled the pavement. Then another thought hit him. “How did you break in here?” For some reason he couldn’t see Sophie picking the lock.

  She shrugged. “We’ve been doing business with them forever and I knew that the fence behind Keane’s hangar has a small opening. It’s hard enough to see during the day, so if you don’t know about it, at night it’s impossible to locate without a guide. There are places like that all over this airport. Their security is complete shit half the time. And I didn’t actually break in—I have a key.”

  “With you?”

  She shook her head.

  He could pick the lock easily enough. What killed him was that she’d come here alone. She was damn lucky she’d been able to escape the other night. Jack shuddered to think what could have happened if any of Vargas’s men had gotten ahold of her. He kept his driving slow until he was parked behind hangar seven.

  There weren’t any people around and most of the private planes were grounded, but he didn’t want to draw undue suspicion by parking near hangar eight.

  Sophie frowned at him. “Are you planting bombs or something?”

  “I’m setting up an insurance policy for us. Stay here.”

  In response, she opened the passenger door and jumped out. “I’m going with you.”

  “Sophie, I don’t—”

  She slammed the door and walked around to his side. “I don’t care what you want. I’m helping. Last time I was there they had two security guys and no cameras.”

  He almost laughed at the way she said two. As if that would ever stop him. He already knew they didn’t have cameras. If they had, the NSA would have hacked them if possible. But after her recent break-in and the fact that Vargas was expected in the country, they would have increased security. Hell, he hoped it was only two. They wouldn’t even know he was in there. And he wasn’t bringing Sophie in with him.

  Covering the distance between them in a few steps, he had her pinned up against the vehicle door in seconds. Her eyes widened and she swallowed hard, eyeing him with surprise.

  The thought of intimidating her with his body sickened him, but he did what he had to. “I’m not going to stand here and argue with you. Even with their security, I can move around without being seen. I can’t do that if I have you slowing me down.”

  She flinched at his words, but finally nodded. “Fine,” she said tightly, her jaw set.

  Against his better judgment, he threaded his hands through her hair and cupped the back of her head in a completely dominating grip. Her lips parted in surprise as his mouth descended on hers. Hell, he surprised himself. It wasn’t the time or the place, but damn if he could leave her looking so vulnerable.

  For a moment she resisted, but as his tongue swept past the seam of her soft lips, she moaned into his mouth. Her body melded against his, her breasts rubbing against his chest as she clutched on to his shoulders with a wrenching hold. He’d parked close enough to the hangar that they had cover from outside, prying eyes, but they were still in the open. That knowledge was the only thing that pulled him back to reality.

  Somehow he tore his mouth away. She blinked once, her gaze lust-filled even as she watched him warily and let her hands fall away. “You can’t use sex to get what you want from me.”

  He snorted. “That isn’t what this is about. I can do this quicker if I’m alone. And that kiss was because I needed it.” Let her make what she wanted of that. “Stay in the vehicle.”

  After grabbing his duffel bag he waited until she got in the passenger seat and shut the door. Then he checked to make sure there weren’t any spotters outside before sprinting across the asphalt to the next building. He hated how much open space he had to cross without any cover. But there was no way around it. At least there were no cameras.

  The hangar next door was exactly like the one he’d parked behind. It was a square metal building with a ceiling high enough to house planes. There was a hatch that rolled up in the front with an opening big enough to let a plane through and a single door in the back. Just like the rest of the hangars. Not a lot of design went into these buildings, and that was a good thing for him. He had a general idea of the layout without actually having been inside this particular one.

  Once he was hidden behind the cover of the other building, he crept along the wall to the entrance. There was a small window on the back door, so he was able to see inside. He could see one man lounging against a wall with his back turned to him, but he knew there would be more inside. The lock was easy enough to pick. Getting inside undetected would be the real trick.

  Luckily he was really good at being invisible.

  Twenty minutes later he slipped back out the way he’d entered. There had been one plane inside and about ninety crates stacked around the back and side walls. He’d been able to use the wooden boxes as cover as he set up his homemade bombs. Adding foil-protected detonators had been tricky, but he’d gotten everything into place. If it became necessary, he’d have the ability to set off the bombs using a high-powered laser pulse. Something that would piss Wesley off if it ever came down to it, but Jack didn’t care.

  The government had trained him to think outside the box. Hurrying back across the pavement, he only stopped once he’d reached the steel wall. He’d been away from Sophie too long, and even though she had a weapon, he didn’t like being separated from her. He glanced around the wall to eye the vehicle and almost froze when he saw a man dressed in all black peering into the passenger window of the SUV. Jack might have been able to dismiss him, but the man had a pistol in one hand. Jack doubted the guy was security. With the man’s black pants, long-sleeved black shirt, and enough bulk under it that he was likely wearing a Kevlar vest, Jack guessed he worked for Vargas.

  The hangar they were parked behind was empty and he didn’t see a golf cart or other transportation for the dark-haired man. He also didn’t see Sophie in the passenger seat, which sent his heart rate into overdrive.

  Dropping his now empty duffel, he crouched low and hurried to the driver’s side of the SUV when the man started walking to the back of the vehicle.

  “Hey, I see you in there!” the man shouted in a heavily accented voice. A harsh tapping followed. The sound of a gun hitting the window. “Come out now or I shoot.”
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br />   Over my dead body. Using the element of surprise, Jack stayed low and rounded the front of the SUV. Not drawing his weapon because he wouldn’t need it in close combat, he hurtled himself at the man before the guy had even fully turned to face his attacker.

  The weapon fell from the man’s hand as Jack slammed his body onto the ground. Not wanting to draw this out longer than necessary, he hauled back and head-butted the guy. Bone crunched and blood spurted everywhere and the man’s hands automatically went to cover his nose.

  Flipping him onto his stomach, Jack wrapped one arm around his neck and pulled tight, cutting off his air supply. The man started struggling, instinct kicking in as he clawed at the asphalt and tried to buck Jack.

  But he had at least fifty pounds on the guy and clearly a lot more experience. Less than thirty seconds later, the man passed out. After retrieving the fallen weapon and his own duffel bag, he’d started securing the man’s wrists behind his back when the back door opened.

  Jack glanced up to find Sophie watching him, her mouth pulled into a thin line. Immediately she frowned. “Are you hurt?”

  He didn’t have to look to realize what she meant. “Not my blood. You okay?” When she nodded, he hefted the guy up and carried him to the back, where he dumped him.

  His chest ached painfully as he watched Sophie wordlessly get into the passenger seat. This was the last thing he should be doing with her. For once in his life Jack wanted to do something normal. Like take Sophie on a fucking date instead of have her wait for him while he set up high-powered explosives and then knocked a man unconscious.

  Scrubbing a hand over his face, he got in the driver’s side. “Where did that guy come from?”

  She wrapped her arms around herself, traces of fear evident in her dark eyes. “I’m not sure, but he came from the direction of the hangar you were in. I thought maybe . . . you’d gotten hurt or something. I was worried.”

  That’s when he realized the fear wasn’t for herself, but for him. He wasn’t used to anyone worrying about him. Despite what they’d shared last night, he told himself he couldn’t get used to it. “I’m fine,” he said, the words harsher than he’d intended.

  He didn’t trust himself to say more, so he started the vehicle and slowly backed up. They didn’t have far to go, so he continued driving behind the next couple of hangars until he parked in front of number five.

  “Why are you stopping?”

  “We’re here.”

  “This is where we’re meeting your boss?” She sounded incredulous.

  Jack nodded. “We need to be close to whatever’s going down with Vargas.” He jumped out of the vehicle and punched in the code for the hangar door. It immediately started rolling up.

  “What’s going to happen to me now?” Sophie asked as he slid back into the driver’s seat.

  “What do you mean?” Glancing in the rearview mirror, he slowly pulled through the entrance. Wesley’s team should be here soon.

  “Will I still, uh . . . never mind.” It was as if the temperature in the vehicle dropped a few degrees. He could practically see her shutting him out, shutting down. She’d done it numerous times when they were teenagers.

  If something was bothering her, her automatic reaction was to pull away emotionally. Jack had never done the comforting thing well, but he hated Sophie pulling away from him. Especially now. “Sophie, I’m not letting you out of my sight if that’s what you’re worried about. You are mine to protect. No matter what happens, I’ll keep you safe.”

  Her expression softened a fraction, but she didn’t respond. As if she wasn’t quite sure she believed him. Before he could say more, three black SUVs with tinted windows drove through the opening, parking in a perfect row.

  “Looks like everyone’s here. . . . Remember, don’t mention what I just did to anyone.”

  She nodded, her expression guarded. “I promise.”

  • • •

  Levi was silent as he walked down the tiled hallway in Vargas’s house. As he passed one of the open doors, he overheard two of the guards arguing. He stayed in the doorway, but neither of them took notice of him.

  As their voices escalated, he frowned when he realized what they were discussing. “What the fuck is going on?” he asked. Stupid fucker, always looking at the two women Vargas held captive. There weren’t many things Levi would ruin his cover for, but protecting a woman was about it. He hadn’t been with the team to pick up Hannah Young—because he would have made sure the girl got away—but she was here now and there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Unfortunately he had a feeling he’d be leaving soon.

  “Why don’t you mind your own business, pendejo?” Manuel took a step back from Rico and squared off at Levi.

  Rico waved a hand in the air as if to dismiss him. “Don’t worry about it, man.”

  Levi ignored Rico and focused on Manuel instead. He leaned casually against the door frame. “You touch either of those girls and Vargas will cut your nuts off. He’ll probably make you eat them before he kills you.”

  Manuel let out a string of curses before storming past him. Levi waited until he saw the scarred man disappear down the hall before turning back to Rico. “Keep him away from those girls.”

  “I’m trying to get it through his thick skull that Vargas will kill him. . . . Man, whatever, it’s his fucking hide.” Rico shook his head and brushed past Levi.

  The world would be a better place if Manuel was dead, but the only way Vargas would kill him was if he actually hurt one of the girls. On that front, Vargas was a strange man. Levi had overheard him threaten to hurt the blond girl to her parents, but he’d never actually do it and he’d never let his men hurt them. Levi wasn’t sure why, but there was a rumor that someone had raped and killed Vargas’s wife a decade ago.

  But that’s all it was. A rumor. If it was true, it was the only thing Levi had in common with the drug-running bastard. Whatever, everyone had a fucking sob story. Right now the only thing he cared about was vengeance. He couldn’t worry about anyone else’s shit.

  When his phone buzzed, he frowned at the number on the caller ID. “Yeah?”

  “You still looking to get in bed with the Russians?” a familiar voice asked.

  Fuck yeah. “I’m in?”

  “Your time with Vargas was worth it. Your credentials are solid.”

  “When do they want me?”

  “I can get you a ride off the island in three hours. You know the place.”

  “I’ll be there.” Levi’s hand shook as he disconnected. This was it. He hated that he couldn’t free the women, but they weren’t his problem. A year ago he’d have died trying to get them out of here. But if he was dead, no one would avenge his wife’s death. Right now that was the only reason his heart was still beating. Once he’d ended the bastards who’d cut down his life, his soul, he didn’t care what happened to himself.

  He glanced down the hall. Empty. Most of Vargas’s men guarded the perimeter. Getting off his estate without being seen would be tricky. His friend was doing him a huge favor flying him out of Cuba, and he couldn’t risk Vargas following him to the airstrip.

  It wasn’t as if he owed Vargas anything. Not to mention that something big was going down if Jack was involved. Vargas had been very vague about what he was doing with SBMS other than running weapons. Deep down Levi knew it was bad and that if he dug deep enough he’d find out what it was, but the driving need for revenge inside him kept pulling him back. Levi couldn’t get caught up in that mess if he wanted to stay alive. It was definitely time for him to disappear and get his revenge.

  Chapter 18

  Op center: location where an operation is being run.

  Sophie watched an older man get out of one of the SUVs. He was followed by two men wearing what looked like battle gear. They were dressed in all black, wore Kevlar vests, and carried some big freaking gu
ns. Everything about the situation had her on edge. When she’d seen the man they now had tied up coming toward her, she’d tried to hide, but it had done no good. Then to see Jack disarm and knock him unconscious so easily . . . it was jarring. Though she wasn’t sure why. She’d seen him take down two men with a bullet between the eyes—while he’d been running. He moved with such fluidity, his actions natural and graceful—in a terrifyingly deadly sort of way. And the longer she was with him, the more she couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew him. Had known him for a long damn time.

  It didn’t matter what reality told her, something bone deep recognized Jack and it was starting to drive her a little crazy. Now she couldn’t get rid of the fear that their time together was coming to an end. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Okay, that was total bullshit. She didn’t like the thought at all. Wrapping her arms around herself, she asked, “Who are those guys?”

  “They’re part of the tactical team. There are probably six or seven of them and they won’t know anything about us or the mission until they get set up in the hangar.” Jack answered her, but she could tell he was only half listening. His eyes narrowed as he scanned everyone, probably looking for a possible threat.

  All in all, there were seven men dressed like commandos, four men wearing suits and ties, and one woman in a pantsuit. She guessed the older man was the boss. He turned to everyone, shouted something, and people fanned out like ants, pulling boxes and bags from the backs of the vehicles in a quick but orderly manner. One of the men shut the hangar door, which gave her a surprising sense of claustrophobia. She didn’t know any of these people.

  When the older man looked through their windshield and nodded at Jack, Jack turned to her. “You ready?”

  No. “Yeah.” For the past two days she’d been running for her life, but she’d been with Jack. Which, in her mind, translated to safe. Now all of a sudden, she was nervous. Before she’d even shut her door, Jack had rounded the vehicle and was standing protectively close to her. His nearness was wildly soothing.