Code Name: Ghost

by Natasza Waters

  A bristle began to creep up her neck. “I’m fine, sir. It’s a short walk.” He wasn’t more than six inches away from her as they tried to hear each other over the loud music.

  “I didn’t think Canadians were so stubborn.”

  His warm breath brushed her cheek, causing her to choke on her own air. “I’ve worked hard at it,” she snapped back. “Take care, Commander.” A sour pang churned in her chest. It always happened when someone tried to show her concern. She rejected it outright. If she accepted it once, it would feel too good, and not having it again would feel twice as bad.

  The Commander’s hand stopped her when she tried to shuffle a chair out of her way, and did it for her instead. “I’m walking you out and making sure you get on that bus, Ms. Banks, that’s an order.”

  Why was he so damn insistent, correction—pushy. “I’m civilian,” she quipped.

  “And you’re working on my base.”

  She took an uncomfortable step back. They were too close, and his aftershave settled in her senses with an unexpected hunger for more. “Your base?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Are you leaving, Kayla?” Mace asked, appearing beside her. “I’ll give you a ride home.”

  She rested a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks, Mace, but I’m fine. It was nice to meet you.”

  The Commander placed warm fingers against the hollow of her back. “I’ll walk her to the bus stop, Petty Officer Callahan.”

  Mace glanced at both of them and nodded. “Kayla, I was thinking—”

  Lord, he wasn’t going to…? “I’ll be listening for you. Take care, Mace,” she said, feeling the Commander gently prod her.

  “You definitely will, Kayla,” and then surprised her when he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

  Commander Austen’s gaze churned with disapproval. “Ms. Banks.” He made a path through the people toward the back patio. Being as large as he was it was easy for her to follow. “What are you the Commander of? I thought it was SEAL Team One,” she asked.

  He cocked his head at her. “Not exactly.”

  Stopping, he held his arm out, prompting her through the door. People mingled on the patio, filling it to capacity. Torches set on each corner flickered in the warm wind. She’d love to stay longer and sit out here enjoying the evening. It wasn’t often she went out any more—she’d left all her gal pals in Canada. “What, exactly?”

  “All of them,” he said with a low timbre that rattled her nerves.

  She’d heard about this man, but only in generic terms. Someone had told her he and the President talked behind closed doors. Apparently, he put himself out in the front line instead of sitting back like most of the men who made the decisions. Warfare was in his blood and he was famous. They called him “The Ghost” but she didn’t know why.

  A busboy, gripping a tub of dirty dishes, dodged around them. “Good night, Commander, ma’am.”

  Before turning the corner at the end of the building, she stopped. “Who was that?”

  “His father works on the base. Although there are five thousand permanents and seven thousand transients, it’s like a small town. The longer you stay, the more people you’ll get to know.”

  She scanned the patio and the lively crowd. “I suppose so.”

  “You’re sure you want to leave?” he asked, tilting his head as if he could read her desires.

  “I’m a little out of practice with all-nighters.” She pushed the wooden gate open, and turned toward him. The Commander’s muscular frame brushed against hers, and she quaked inside. “I’ll be fine, Commander, why don’t you go back inside?”

  “Ms. Banks, there is a serial killer on the loose, and you fall within his profile.”

  “Not exactly,” she argued.

  He pinned her with a heart-stopping look. “Brunette and extraordinarily beautiful. I would say exactly the profile,” he stated without a single hint of warmth. “After you.”

  The heat of his body radiated into hers as he wrapped his arm around her, guiding her away from the crowd. Anxious energy tore through her, and she calmly ignored it, at least on the outside.

  People always populated the roadways, but it had thinned at this hour. The Commander guided them along the shoreline, leading her through a few desolate areas. Suddenly, she was glad he was with her.

  “What made you decide to cross the border?” he asked, keeping his step slow since her stride was nowhere near as long as his.

  “I don’t want to sound unfaithful to my home, but it might come out that way.”

  “You didn’t like the temperature of the environment in other words.”

  She glanced up at him and cleared her throat. “Something like that.” She wasn’t good at lying and kept her answers short. There was a reason. A very good reason, but he would never know it.

  “Canada isn’t as generous with their funds these days.”

  “That’s correct. That and many other things, but yes. Besides, it’s a lot warmer here, and I’ve kinda fallen in love with the balmy California breeze.”

  He nodded, but didn’t return a smile. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought he was testing her again. It didn’t take long to realize that’s exactly what he was doing. She’d do the same in his shoes, wanting to be sure she was solid enough to do her job, working closely with the Special Warfare ops. For her, there was no mystery when it came to tactical operations. She’d learned it as new technology bloomed over the last two decades, but he didn’t know that.

  Passing though a narrow corridor between two old buildings, she stopped and turned on her heel, looking behind them. A streetlight splashed an area of roadway fifty feet away, near the entrance. She peered into the darkness. The sound of someone running with short steps caught her ear.

  The Commander turned swiftly, seeing she wasn’t by his side anymore. “Ms. Banks?”

  She took a step, but instantly his hand flashed to her waist and drew her back. Even with the Commander so close, the hair stood up on the back of her neck. Someone was there, in the dark, watching them. Maybe it was just the hype around the base, but she didn’t think so. “I don’t see anyone,” she said quietly.

  “Stay here,” he ordered and retraced their steps.

  Her heart began to drum hard in her chest the farther away he got. Within a few paces, he was a shadow moving through darkness. The skin on her arms pricked with fear.

  “Commander?”

  He reached the end of the alley and walked beneath the light. At the same time her senses warned her someone was behind her and she whirled around, but the quick scream had already escaped her.

  “Ma’am, it’s all right.” A security officer raised his hand and took a step back.

  The Commander’s arm thrust her against his body before the next thump of her heart.

  “Commander, good evening. I’m sorry, sir, I thought she was alone.”

  “No, she’s fine. I’m taking her to the bus stop.”

  The security officer surveyed them both. “Is everything all right?” he asked her.

  “Yes, thank you.” Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Thank God he couldn’t see her. “Sorry about that.”

  “Good night, then.” The security guard strode past them, continuing on his patrol.

  She felt ridiculous, but her embarrassment was quickly replaced by a wave of heat from the Commander’s protective hold. His strength made her weak, and ratcheted her insides tight. “I’m sorry Commander, I thought I heard—”

  He drew her along with him, glancing over his shoulder. “I heard it, too, but there’s no one there now.” He gave her a concerned glance. “It was probably just another security patrol. They’ve tripled the staff in and around the base since the murders began.”

  She appreciated the lie, but security didn’t run in short bursts, as if stalking them.

  They reached the bus stop, which was empty of other people. The security hut at the entrance to the base, manned twenty-four seven, sat close by.
Reaching her hand out to him, she said, “So do I pass the interview, Commander?” Being professional was hard when her damn heart wouldn’t stop hopping around like a rabbit inside her.

  A tepid smile slid across his lips as he took her hand. He didn’t shake it, instead—he held it gently. “Yes.”

  “That’s my bus,” she said, reading the digital sign at the top as it approached. “Thank you, Commander, for the drink, the interview, and the escort.”

  “You’re welcome, Ms. Banks.” He paused and searched the area behind them. “I would feel better if you’d let me drive you home.”

  “No, thank you, sir.”

  The doors of the bus opened with a hiss. She stepped up without looking back. There was no point. Why the hell would a man like him walk her to the bus stop—other than an interrogation?

  “Ms. Banks.”

  When she turned, the intensity of his gaze stopped her breath, but not the shudder that threatened to topple her. Controlling her emotions was something she used to be good at.

  “It’s been a pleasure.” He bowed his head slightly and the Ghost disappeared into the darkness.

  Chapter Five

  “Close the door please, Mace,” the Commander ordered as the team took their seats.

  By the tone of his voice, Mace knew they had a new mission, and they all waited quietly. Art, an NSA liaison, sat behind a laptop at the Commander’s desk. Captain Redding hit the lights.

  A still image of two men came up on the wall. “The man on the right is Alheed Kazhar. He runs a terrorist cell in Nicaragua. We’ve been tracking him for months and he’s finally shown himself. The man on the left is Mohammad Tohler. He’s Al-Qaeda’s version of head of intelligence. Although when it comes to Al-Qaeda that’s an oxymoron,” Art threw in.

  The men nodded, but it didn’t bring much laughter. The war on terrorism would never end. They all knew the States had attracted the snake’s eye, and they’d never be rid of it or out of a job.

  Art changed the slide, bringing up a geographic map. “They’ve placed themselves in a heavily populated area operated by the Serpiente drug cartel. Apprehend both of these individuals. If they are not willing to give the information we are looking for, your orders are to neutralize.” The cursor hovered over a small seaside town at the southern end of the country. “San Juan del Sur is where you’ll find them. This town borders on Panama. You will access and extract by sea. The Commander will go over the geography and the plan with you in the next five days. Flippers in the water on the sixth.”

  “Thanks, Art,” the Commander said. As he always did, his gaze crossed every face. “You have tonight off, men. Tomorrow, oh-seven-hundred hours, rally in the planning room. This one won’t be easy, and seeing where and who we’re going up against, I’m bringing in some specialists from Teams Three and Seven as well. There are only two plausible outcomes for Mohammad and Kazhar. Kazhar is chattel, but Mohammad is a big fish, and we need to land him.”

  The lights switched back on, and Art tucked his computer under his arm and left.

  “What the hell is that?” Mace said, his nose twitching, and his head swiveling to find the source.

  “Whoa, does that smell good,” Tinman crooned, his head craning around looking at their Master Chief.

  “Don’t look at me, Tinman, I don’t smell like that,” Fox said then laughed.

  The Commander opened the blinds and they watched Kayla walk into the Command center for her evening shift, carrying something in her arms.

  “Ah, she’s baking again. God, I’m glad I hired that woman,” Redding said, his expression breaking into a grin.

  “Baking,” Mace blurted. He was off the floor and out the door, with the Commander barking at him to stay put, but nothing was keeping him from that smell. Just before he got to her she swiveled, and he almost ran into the tray Kayla held in her arms. “Hey, Snow White, what’s up?” he said, his attention glued to the tray covered in a tea towel.

  She laughed at the expectant look on his face. The rest of the guys had abandoned ship as well and circled them.

  “Hi, Mace, something attract your attention?” she asked innocently. “By the way, I have your shirt.”

  “Can I hold that for you?” he asked, knowing heaven was under that towel.

  Her cheeks puckered with a gorgeous smile. “Sure, why don’t you take it, just leave a couple for the evening and night shift, okay?”

  He carefully swept the towel off, and his tongue practically dripped with love. “Cinnamon rolls! I love these,” and they were huge. She draped his shirt, washed, ironed and folded across his other arm.

  The rest of the team, including the Commander, leaned in like a pack of wolves. She washed my shirt and made me cinnamon rolls,” he said, knowing he sounded like an overzealous kid.

  “She didn’t make you the cinnamon rolls, shithead,” Fox jeered, reaching for one.

  “Here.” He thrust the tray into Nathan’s hands and tossed the shirt on a desk. With five long strides, he curled her in his arms, giving her a huge kiss on the cheek. “I love you Kayla, please marry me?”

  The guys all groaned, but the Commander didn’t look amused at all. Kayla burst out laughing, and pinched his cheek. “Absolutely not, but I might adopt you Mace, you’re too cute.”

  Kayla wiggled from his grip and dropped her bag by the console, taking the handover from the dayshift.

  “She said no,” Mace moaned, and then looked over at the guys who were accosting the pan like a bunch of buzzards. “Hey, hey, hey, leave one for me.” Tony’s mouth hovered over his roll, and he yanked it just before his teeth sunk into it.

  “I haven’t had one yet, asshole,” Tony complained.

  “Too bad,” Mace said, holding his right arm out as far away from Tony as he could. Suddenly the roll was ripped from his own fingers. “What the—?”

  The Commander already had a good chunk in his mouth. He jerked his head and his brows shot up. “Huh, wow, these are good, aren’t they?” The Commander peered over his shoulder at Kayla, who’d sat down and was busy checking incoming field reports. The smile vanished and he fixed a steely stare on her.

  What a shame, Mace thought to himself—Kayla was so sweet. Although the Commander was a great man and a true warrior, he didn’t believe in longevity when it came to women, whether it was between the sheets or at the base. He probably thought Kayla was here to find a husband. Nature did take its course at times between base personnel, but he didn’t believe that’s what Kayla was doing here.

  The SEAL groupies were mostly too young for the Commander, but he used them and set them adrift plenty of times. When women found out who he was, they hoped for a shot at being an Admiral’s wife one day. Not one of them held on to their hopes for long. The Commander could make things tough for Kayla. And right now, his look said that’s exactly what he wanted to do. Screw that!

  “Kayla?”

  She lifted a finger in the air, in a “give me a second” gesture. Finishing a call on the radio, she rolled her chair to face him.

  “You, me and the best steak in San Diego, tomorrow night.” He strolled up to her and leaned over, grabbing the arms of her chair. “Texas cattle can kick Alberta’s beef any day.” Throwing in the challenge was a hook he didn’t think she could refuse.

  Kayla erupted into a laugh. “Mace, I—”

  “Mace,” the Commander said sharply.

  “Yes, sir.” Shooting a look over his shoulder, he blinked, seeing the Commander wore a severe expression. The one he saved for killing someone.

  “Lieutenant Kale wants your assistance tomorrow night for exercises with BUD/S.”

  What the hell? He’d just seen Kale two hours ago, and he hadn’t said anything. He darted a look toward Tony, his best friend. Usually they got extra assignments with the BUD/S recruits together. Tony shrugged.

  “You’re volunteering,” the Commander added.

  What the frig? “Yes, sir.”

  “For the next five days,” the Comman
der added.

  Great.

  Kayla’s lips bowed into a beautiful smile. “Work before play, Petty Officer Callahan.” She winked at him.

  Oh, she wasn’t getting off that easy. “The exercises will be over around eleven. I’ll come get you after your shift.”

  “Petty Officer Callahan. Office,” the Commander ordered.

  What now?

  “Night, Red,” the Commander said, stepping out of his way.

  “Night, men,” Red tipped a finger to his head and left.

  “Close the door, Mace.”

  It was a definite order and the underlying hum of agitation in the Commander’s voice wasn’t missed either. “Sir?”

  “Ms. Banks is concentrating on her job right now,” he began, strolling to his desk and sitting on the edge, crossing his arms, then pinning a stormy gaze on him. “I suggest you let her do that.”

  “With all due respect, Commander, I don’t think she wants to study at twenty-three hundred hours after a full shift. In fact, last week she worked two double shifts.”

  “I know her schedule, Mace.”

  He did? Kayla probably couldn’t move an inch without him scrutinizing and looking for a reason to get rid of her. “Sir—”

  “Mace, this is not up for debate.”

  “Sir, I asked her to dinner.”

  “You asked Ms. Banks to marry you.”

  “She said no.” The Commander’s scowl deepened. If that wasn’t enough of a sign he was pissed off, the bear trap jaw that could snap orders and your head off, took on a rigid edge.

  “Although you don’t work together, there is protocol.”

  “Protocol?” What the hell was he talking about? There wasn’t any protocol, except within departments, and only classified ones. “Sir, she shouldn’t be walking by herself after work with the Shark roaming around.”

  The muscles in his arms tensed. “She’s not.”

  “Yes, she does. I caught her doing it three nights ago, and I’ve been walking her to the bus every night.”

  “I know that.”

  Holy shit! The Commander had been following her? “Sir, um—”

  “Mace, I don’t want you fraternizing with my Ka…with my staff. Do you understand?”