by Amy Jarecki
Out the window, all she could see were mountains and white. They landed, hardly taxied and came to a halt. The plane door opened to a rush of freezing air. Mia clutched her arms across to her torso. “Gosh, I need a coat.”
“You sure do.” Luke opened an overhead bin and pulled out a blanket. “Wrap this around your shoulders for now.”
He shook hands with the pilot and led the way out into the deep freeze while a truck with tractor wheels pulled to a stop at the bottom of the steps. A woman got out, carrying two white jackets. “Hey Wombat. Leave it to you to bring a lady to Iceland wearing a skimpy t-shirt.” She looked like she might be of Mexican descent and spoke with an American accent.
Gaping at the woman, he ignored the question. “Henri Anderson? What the hell are you doing here?” Luke grabbed the jackets and helped Mia shrug into one before her teeth rattled out of her head for the chattering.
Henri was pretty—wholesome, tall and, by the way she carried herself, she had to be an athlete. “Between ops.” She shifted her brown-eyed gaze to Mia. “Who’s the fresh meat?”
“The CO didn’t tell you?”
“You know Garth. He’s at your beck and call in the midst of an op, but as soon as you have a moment of downtime he forgets you exist.” She extended her gloved hand. “I’m Henri.”
Luke sniggered. “She’s the best sharpshooter you’ll find anywhere.”
“I’m Mia…er...” Snow crunched underfoot as she gave Luke a dubious look.
He patted her on the shoulder and led her to the truck. “Just Mia works for now. Have you ever ridden in a Raptor Trax?” He opened the door.
Mia looked at the wheels and shrugged. “Nope.”
The truck was deliciously warm inside and, once she’d put it in gear, Henri pushed back her hood to reveal a mane of long, black hair. “So, Mia, I’m supposed to take you through initiation.”
“I thought you said the CO didn’t tell you who she was,” said Luke.
“He didn’t. Tawney said you were bringing in a new recruit and asked me to show her the ropes.”
“You?” Luke spread his palms. “What am I?”
Henri gave him a telling look. “You’re heading to Command to face the dragon.”
They drove into a cave and stopped on what looked like sheer ice. Henri pressed a button that looked like a garage door opener and, suddenly, they were being lowered into a stark white room filled with other Raptor Trax trucks and snowmobiles.
“Who’s the dragon?” Mia asked as they climbed out of the truck.
“The CO.”
Luke had never mentioned the boss’ name, but Henri had referred to him as Garth. Regardless, this whole deal seemed weirder and weirder. Mia turned in a circle. “What is this place?”
Henri looped her arm through Mia’s elbow while the three of them stepped inside an elevator. “It’s a top secret clandestine organization, forty-five meters under a glacier. No one knows we’re here, and if you ever get the idea to tell anyone, remember I’m the best sniper on the planet.”
Luke shoved the woman’s shoulder like she was a tough guy same as him. “Shut up, Henri.”
The girl waggled her eyebrows. “Don’t worry. I only shoot bad guys.”
Mia gulped, wondering if all the women at this place were gun-wielding snipers. “I’ll remember that.” Does Luke have a girl here? He seems kinda friendly with Henri.
The elevator took forever and there was only one button. At the bottom, Henri stepped out of her snowsuit and hung it on a hook. “Leave your coats, too.”
“Fox, report to Command at once,” boomed a voice over a loudspeaker.
“That’s my cue. Jeez, the man misses nothing.” Luke took Mia’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Don’t let Soaring-Eagle scare you, love. She might be tough, but she has a heart of gold. She’ll take good care of you.” He leveled a pointed gaze at the woman. “Won’t you?”
“Sure will. And today will be a doozy. Just roll with it.”
Over her shoulder, Mia watched Luke disappear down the stark corridor while Henri pulled her in another direction. “Don’t worry, he’s not going anywhere we can’t find him.”
“How long have you known Luke?”
“About a year.”
“Oh.” Mia’s stomach roiled. “I guess he has girlfriends all over the place.”
“I wouldn’t know about that.” Henri didn’t elaborate, but her lack of interest was reassuring. “Our first stop is with Tawney, the administrator. She’ll give you the regs and uniform and all that. Then the rest of the day will be testing.”
“Testing?”
“Aptitude, psych eval, you know. The standard stuff.”
“I don’t know. I can’t say I’ve ever experienced any of those things.”
“No?” Henri stopped outside a door. “In that case, don’t worry. Just remember there is no right or wrong answer. Just be yourself.”
If only Mia knew who that was. Since she left Mexico, she’d been battling with the quandary of her identity every waking hour. She bit the inside of her cheek while Henri reached for the doorknob. “Why…?”
“Hmm?”
“Why did Luke call you Soaring-Eagle?”
“That’s the name my grandfather gave me when I was a kid. It’s a Paiute thing.”
“Oh.” Mia smiled. “You’re a Native American?”
“Half-breed.” Henri opened the door and gestured inside to a lovely woman with brown hair and wearing a jumpsuit just like Henri’s. “Tawney Tailor, meet Mia—ah…?”
“Just Mia.”
***
Luke didn’t like walking away from Mia. Sure, she was in good hands but the girl needed to be treated with kid gloves until she realized she was far safer and more secure at ICE than anywhere on earth. Until reality sank in, she’d be on edge.
I hope she doesn’t do something stupid.
When he strode into the Command Center, it wasn’t difficult to find Garth. Among the rows of IT people and the monitors on the walls showing scenes from all over the world, there was always a hub of activity around the ex-Marine. Garth signed a document and handed the clipboard back to a girl who looked young enough to be an intern—though ICE didn’t hire interns. ICE employed the best of the best. They came from all over the world, telling their families they were working anywhere but in a state-of-the-art, remodeled, Cold War bunker under a glacier in Iceland. And everyone wore standard issue, navy blue jumpsuits—which Luke would change into as soon as he made it to his suite.
The CO looked up and scowled. “Fox. In the sit room.”
Luke followed the boss into the one-way glass room that stood in the hub of Command. It was soundproof and lined with monitors, between which the occupants could observe the activity in the center. The setup was a daily adrenaline rush for the gray-haired, rugged CO who thrived on making snap decisions in the heat of life-and-death crises.
Inside, Garth headed straight for his seat at the head of the table. Grabbing the mouse, he brought up a picture of Hacienda Paraiso on the big monitor across from him. “The satellite took these this morning.”
Luke slid into a seat. “It looks untouched.”
“The front gate is shot to hell.” He zoomed in on the house. “There’s some damage to the entryway. Who knows what it looks like inside. The crazy thing is Zambada didn’t stay.”
“You expected him to?”
“You didn’t?”
Luke shrugged. “I figured he’d wait until El Padrino returned.”
“Nope. He’s been spotted in Baja.”
“What’s he doing there?” Luke asked.
“Nothing good, I’ll wager.”
“Any word on Vincent Morales’ whereabouts?”
“Still nothing. It’s like he’s hiding in a Cold War bunker in Iceland.”
Luke snorted. “Touché.”
“Our biggest problem?”
Luke sat back and crossed his arms, waiting for Garth to tell him.
“After
all the drug seizures and all the distributors we’ve shut down, Rhapsody is still flowing into cities all over the world. It’s as if we haven’t made a damned dent.”
“You think there’s a stockpile?”
“Hell, I don’t know what to think. Except we need Mia.”
“Mia?”
“Yeah. Back out there.”
“No way.” Luke shook his head. “If she leaves ICE, Morales will kill her.”
“That’s what I’m banking on. We need to find the man and she’s the best bait we’ve got.”
Needled by a tightening knot in his shoulder, Luke reached back and rubbed it. “She doesn’t have any training. Jesus Christ, he’s terrorized the girl since she was used as collateral for a debt her nine years ago.”
“That’s fucking sick.”
“And she’s shell-shocked. She needs time to get her head screwed on straight.”
Garth peered over his Coke-bottle-bottom glasses. “She has two weeks.”
“That’s not enough.”
“It’ll have to be.”
Luke pursed his lips. It was no use arguing with Garth when he had his mind set on something, but he’d overlooked several factors. First of all, Mia had to be willing. And she wasn’t going through aptitude and psych testing for her health. Dr. R and Tawney would have something to say if the girl wasn’t able to handle the stress of being a spy.
And in her present state of mind, she absolutely cannot handle it.
The more Garth talked, the more Luke relaxed. There was no need to worry. First of all, no one learned to be a spy in a fortnight. Not to mention Mia had no education and no military training. She might be smart but there was no way in hell she’d be ready. That’s right. Once they pinpointed Morales, Luke would be the one to go in and nail him while Mia—Michelle was tucked away at ICE.
No worries, mate.
When the CO finished, Luke had one question. “Who’s going to tell Mia she’s been recruited?”
“One thing at a time. There’s no use putting the cart before the horse. First, Tawney’s talking to her about doing some training as part of her assessment.”
So, Garth’s plan wasn’t set in stone—yet. “Who’s in charge of her training?” Luke asked.
“You are, of course.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Dazed and wearing an ICE-issued jumpsuit, Mia stood in her suite and stared at the laptop sitting on the desk. It had a black screen and a tiny white light on the side. She wanted to touch the keys, but a reedy voice inside her head insisted doing so would get her in trouble.
She’d used a computer several times throughout the course of the day, but that was for tests. Now the administrator had shown her to her “suite” and, for the first time since she’d arrived, she was alone. The suite was modern, with art on the walls that looked like twisting rivers of colorful ribbon. The living room had a black sectional couch and a glass desk with a laptop—the one she stared at while her fingers twitched.
Mia glanced over her shoulder as if El Padrino might be watching, but of course she was alone. There were no security cameras in the corners either, though she’d seen plenty of them throughout the facility. Could she find her family on that computer?
Taking a cautious step forward, she reached for the mouse and moved it in a circle.
At once, a screen came up with the ICE logo—a circle of crystals with ICE in the middle and the words International Clandestine Enterprise around the outer edge. Luke hadn’t told her the name of the organization and, only after she’d taken her first test—an oral test with Dr. R, did he tell her that ICE was a highly secret organization sanctioned by NATO. She was sworn never to repeat the name outside of the facility. It was an oath Mia could easily take. They were protecting her from El Padrino. She would do anything for anyone who could save her from that monster.
She clicked the mouse and the screen asked for a user ID. Mia bit her bottom lip. She hadn’t been given a sign on ID. Maybe she could ask Luke if they were planning to give her one, though she hadn’t seen him all day.
Can I find Mom and Dad?
Jolting, she stepped away from the computer as if it shocked her. She’d thought about finding her parents every day for fifteen years. Yes, she’d all but given up hope, but now the possibility of really searching for them made her both thrilled and terrified. How many nights had she lain awake craving her mother’s arms? To see the proud face of her father? She yearned to have a family who loved her, who cared about her achievements. She missed family meals where everyone talked about their days, their hopes, their dreams.
Where were they now? Why hadn’t they come for her? Had she been forgotten?
A knock sounded on the door. “Mia?” Luke’s voice resounded from the hallway.
Her heartbeat fluttered as she skipped across the floor and opened it. “Where have you been all day?”
“Meetings. Not my favorite.” He rubbed the back of his neck and gave her an uncertain look. He, too, wore a jumpsuit—but his made him look like Iron Man. “Mind if I come in?”
She stood aside. “Any news on El Padrino?”
He sauntered past her. “Just that Zambada didn’t lay waste to the hacienda. And as I expected, most everyone got out unscathed.”
“Thank goodness.”
“What was your day like?”
“All I did was answer questions and take tests. Tawney said their assessment will last two weeks. Why would she say that? I thought I was here for protection from the Morales Cartel. What am I being assessed for?”
“Uh.” He kicked the leg of her desk—a little odd for a guy who always bordered on the edge of cocky. “Everyone who comes to ICE has an assessment to see where they will best fit in.”
“You mean if they have what it takes to be a spy?”
“Not everyone here is a spy. There are techies. Hell, there are people who work in the kitchen.”
“They made me swear never to reveal the ICE identity. I’m not a prisoner, am I?”
“Absolutely not. People don’t often leave the organization. But when they do, they’re sworn to secrecy.”
“Or what?”
“Don’t know really. That’s not my area.” He gestured to the computer. “I’ve drawn up your training schedule.”
“Schedule?”
“You wanted to learn self-defense, didn’t you?”
“Right. Yes, I do.”
“Well, you’ll be on the fast and furious track—at least for the next fortnight while—” He stopped. His jaw twitched—and whenever it did, there was always something more.
“Why is it I sense there is something you’re not telling me?”
He shrugged. “We just need to plan our next steps in the Morales case.”
“Next steps? You mean find him and arrest him?”
“Yeah, but you don’t need to worry about that now. If nothing else, when you leave here you’ll be able to protect yourself. We’re going to equip you with some skills meant to save your life in any situation. What you choose to do with them is up to you. Remember that, Michelle. At ICE you always have a choice.”
At the sound of her real name, goosebumps spread across her skin. “You called me Michelle.”
“That’s because we don’t live lies here.” He pinched a lock of her hair and brushed it over her lips. “Is it okay if we call you Michelle when we’re forty-five meters under a glacier?”
Gulping, she nodded. Their gazes met while energy crackled between them. She wanted to reach out, to wrap him in an embrace. She thought he might make the first move, but Luke took in a breath and turned away as if fighting his attraction.
Is he attracted? Or is he still angry?
“Did they issue you with a watch?” he asked, moving away and smoothing his fingers over the back of the couch.
“No—no computer login either.”
“I’ll have that fixed in the morning. We’re paperless here. Your watch will contain your schedule. You’ll also be able to
access it on the computer.”
“I’ll be able to get on the computer?”
“Yeah.”
“Can it be traced?”
“Not here.” He didn’t explain, he just walked to the door. “I’ll see you in the mess at 0700.”
“Okay.” Her shoulders fell. “W-what—”
“Huh?” He looked back as he opened the door.
“What do I do until then?”
“Sleep.” He brushed her nose with the crook of his finger and then he was gone.
Mia looked to the ceiling and groaned. Now that she’d seen Luke, she had more questions than answers. Worse, he acted about as distant as he had when they’d first met.
She flopped onto the couch and groaned. Darn it, she’d made him mad all right. She’d disappointed him, too. Her biggest problem? She was completely clueless about what she needed to do to win him back.
***
Luke clenched his fists as he strode away from Michelle’s suite. He hadn’t just called her by her real name because he felt like it. He needed to get Mia out of his system and replace her with someone else.
Except that was easier said than done.
She still looked as sultry and tempting as Mia. She still had those smoldering blue eyes and a mane of wild hair—silken hair he itched to dig his fingers into. Christ, he’d itched to do a whole lot more than that and, with the bed in the next room, he’d nearly caved.
How could he so easily forget the look of guilt on her face when she’d used the phone to contact Morales? When would he be able to trust her again? Really trust her?
Never.
His stomach clenched, tied in a million knots. He’d made a mistake by bringing her to ICE. Ayres Rock would have been a better option. God, how could Garth think she might be ready to face Morales after two bloody weeks? And if anything happened to her, Luke would go ballistic. Garth had no business putting her in harm’s way.
By the time he pushed inside the Ice Cave—the bar where assets hung out after long days of training—he was good and angry. He made a beeline straight to the fridge behind the bar and pulled out a stubbie. Cracking the top, he guzzled half of the beer before he took a breath.