Lemine. That was what Felix had called him. Lemine refused to speak to anyone but Kyle, and the others were still God only knew where. How long would they hold the man against his will?
She paced across the apartment to Felix’s side.
“This doesn’t bother you?” She pitched her voice low, for his ears only.
“Which part?”
“I don’t know. All of it. We have a man handcuffed in the bathroom. The team isn’t here yet.”
“A lot of what we do is hurry up and wait.”
“And the handcuffing part?”
“He’d sell you out to people who would kill you, or worse. No, I don’t have a problem inconveniencing him a bit.”
Jackie could see Felix’s point, but they were the ones who’d committed the wrong right now. She could only take responsibility for her own actions.
“Shouldn’t we have heard something by now?” she asked.
“Not necessarily.”
“Why?”
“Because if they were followed, Kyle would want to lead them away from here. When he’s certain they’ve lost their tail, he’ll change vehicles. They might split into groups. Then they have to take indirect paths to our location. This hour, that probably means they’ve had to find clothing or something to help blend in.” He glanced away from the window and at her. “It’s going to be fine, Jackie.”
“Yeah, well, I think my definition of fine and yours don’t match up.” She hugged her arms around herself and wandered toward him. “What’s it look like out there?”
“Quiet.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“I don’t know. I’m guessing good, since people appear to be going on about their day. No one is paying the shop or apartment any attention. People seem relaxed, no one is looking over their shoulders. There’s not a lookout that I can spot.”
“So we’re good then?”
“I think so.”
She studied his profile, the unwavering way he stared through the tiny slit between the curtains. Nothing shook him. She was a bit jealous of that, but also grateful. Felix was direct and honest, which she appreciated, even if she didn’t always like what he told her. And maybe Val was a little right by labeling him her type.
“What would have happened if I wasn’t out there in the garage?” she asked.
“Kyle would have put Shane in charge, gotten you, and hauled you out to the van.”
“Why didn’t he come with us?”
“Hard to say, without being in his shoes. I follow orders.”
“You think the others are okay?”
Felix turned his head, those crisp, blue eyes of his locking onto her.
“We don’t leave people behind. If we have to split up, that’s one thing. We do our best to make sure everyone comes home safe, okay? Your friends will be here before you know it.” He slid his hand around her waist, rubbing her back. “We’re professionals. Give us a little credit?”
“I know, I’m just worried. They’re my responsibility, and I left. If anything happens to them...”
“Without you there, chances are they won’t be interested in the others.”
“Do you really think that? Or are you saying it so I’ll calm down and leave you alone?”
“If things went wrong, they’d have called it in or done something to notify us the op is off the rails. As is, we’ve just changed directions. No need to stress and get worked up over it yet.”
“Okay.” She swallowed. “I will try to stay out of your hair and stop stressing.”
“You’re fine. I’d rather have a few more assets like you.” His lips curled up in a smile and his arm tightened, bringing her up against his side in a gentle squeeze.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, taking comfort in the hug. It’d been ages since someone let her lean on them. Usually it was the other way around. Being on this side of things was strange, but she was grateful Felix was in her corner.
It wasn’t often that Jackie admitted she was human and needed others, but without Felix and his team she’d be up a creek. Maybe dead. Who knew?
“In case I haven’t said this yet, thank you.” She squeezed him back and sighed as he stroked her back.
“Hey, don’t get choked up on me. I’m not good with that stuff.” One side of his mouth hitched up higher than the other.
“Whatever.” She eased her hold around him, but he didn’t make a move to release her.
“What are you going to do when you get home?” He glanced back at the window, his hand still rubbing her back. He was doing a far cry better at easing her tense muscles than pacing was.
“Depends on what we’re calling home.” She gave in and leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Where do you live when you aren’t being Wonder Woman?”
“I’ve got a loft in Seattle, but I try to not be there much. I might opt to go back to Colombia with Val instead.”
“Is your family that bad?”
“You met them, didn’t you?” She glanced up at Felix, who stared down at her. He didn’t seem to mind that she’d plastered herself against him. She was too tired to fight the way her body swayed toward him as she paced. He had this gravitational pull about him.
“I think my team meets people under unusually stressful circumstances and we don’t always get to see our clients at their best.”
“Like when I was bitchy last night?”
“I wouldn’t call it bitchy.”
“I’m good at bitchy.”
“You seem like a very confident—”
“Yeah, but let’s be honest, I can be bitchy.”
“I’m trying to not stick my foot in my mouth here.” He chuckled.
“I value people who don’t let me push them around. It’s why Val and I get along so well. She will call me on my shit. Kyle’s trying too hard to be the likable leader of the group. I walk all over nice. I need you to tell me when I’m out of line, or I’ll fuck everything up. We made a deal, remember?”
“I do. You didn’t argue in the garage which I appreciate.”
“I did, kind of. The way you looked at me? I knew it was serious.” She blew out a breath. One of her greatest skills was getting shit done when she put her mind to it, the problem was ensuring she wasn’t making the wrong decision.
“Look. That group of four people there? See them?” Felix pointed out a rather odd-looking cluster of people. It was the way their headscarves were wrapped and the way they moved. It was just off.
“That’s Kyle, Adam...and if I had to guess, Val and that doctor with the name I can’t pronounce.”
“You think so?” She clutched a handful of his shirt, too scared to breathe.
“Build is about right.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“You stay here. Keep a lookout. I’m going downstairs.”
“Thank you.” She turned in his embrace, cupped his face in her hands and pressed her mouth to his.
He stared at her.
She stared at him.
It was just a peck.
She hadn’t thought about what she was doing, she’d simply acted.
“Sorry... I, um...”
“Stay here. I’ll be right back,” he said and let go of her.
Jackie stared over her shoulder, watching him disappear down the stairs. Last night she’d kissed him purposefully. Today she’d just—kissed him. It wasn’t like she thought it through or that it was a chemistry thing. She’d just...done it. And neither of them seemed fazed by it.
Felix was not the man she’d pegged him to be when they first met.
She swallowed and turned back to the window, searching for yet more figures.
Familiar voices filtered up from below, followed by the thump of feet.
At the same moment, another group of four reached the same corner, their behavior just as odd as the first. Now that Felix had pointed them out she could pick out the two Aegis guys versus her two male nurses.
“Jack? Oh, thank Go
d.” Val reached the top of the stairs, sweat dampening her skin and her hair every which way.
“You okay?” Jackie crossed the loft and squeezed Val.
“Yeah—we were worried about you.” Val wrapped her arms around Jackie so tight her ribs hurt. “Isaac rounded us all up, and we hid in a hidden wine cellar. A wine cellar, Jack.”
“Really?” Jackie blinked at Val. Mauritania was predominantly an Islamic country. Alcohol was just about impossible to find outside of hotel bars. A wine cellar would have to be very well hidden.
“Anyway, we waited, and when they left, we went out the back on foot and four freaking hours later—here we are. What happened to you guys?”
“Nothing. We drove around for a while, then got here.” Jackie felt silly for thinking their truck ride had been harrowing at all.
“What is this place?” Val turned, scanning the loft. Her head snapped back around. “Jack—is there a man handcuffed in the bathroom?”
“They’re zip-ties, and yes.”
“Explain?”
Jackie shrugged. How did she explain this one? She still couldn’t fully wrap her head around it or come to terms with what they’d done.
“Lemine.” Kyle strode across the loft and into the bathroom.
Lemine whispered too low for her to make out, but he darted furious glares her way. Yeah, she deserved that.
Kyle cut the ties holding Lemine captive. They stood close together, talking softly. Lemine gestured, the vein at his temple growing more distinct. Kyle held up his hands, everything about his posture calming, but Lemine was having none of it.
Jackie edged closer until she could make out some of the Arabic the two were speaking.
“This was not part of the bargain,” Lemine said.
“I’m sorry we intruded.” Jackie clasped her hands in front of her.
Lemine glared at her and at Kyle.
“I did not agree to any of this. I got you pictures, nothing more,” Lemine said.
“I’m offering you a new deal, or we’ll just tell your friends thanks for helping us find Jackie here.” Kyle smiled.
Lemine rocked back on his heels.
“What do you mean? Who are his friends?” Jackie frowned.
Kyle switched to English. “Lemine works for PPM. We put out feelers asking for current pictures of the city based on some word-of-mouth intel about an American team. We got it from another source the PPM uses that they were looking for you, too. Lemine here thought he could earn some extra cash selling what he thought were aerial pictures of nothing.”
“Why would the PPM want to know about me?” She spoke in English, but watched Lemine’s face.
The man glanced between them, his frown lines deepening.
He must not be able to follow what they were saying.
“We didn’t bother to find out why they wanted to know, just that we got the intel before they could act on it,” Kyle said.
That would explain why the PPM bus was so close on their heels and why the building they’d escaped through had been a target. But why? Who cared what she did?
“How does this affect our plans to get to the others?” She couldn’t forget her focus.
“Not sure yet. Get Adam. Tell him we’re going to intimidate some information out of Lemine.” Kyle gave the man a slow once over.
Jackie pivoted, her knees wobbling.
What did the PPM want with her?
Kyle couldn’t be serious about scaring the information out of Lemine, could he?
“My turn?”
“What?” Jackie glanced up at one of the Alpha Team. “Are you Adam?”
He nodded, but didn’t wait for her to answer.
She swallowed and watched Adam advance toward the bathroom door, blocking it with his bulk.
“They won’t hurt him, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Felix said quietly.
“What’re they doing then?”
“I don’t know. You and Kyle are the only ones who speak the language.”
Jackie didn’t want to know, but she needed to. This whole situation could very well be on her shoulders, and she didn’t shrink from responsibility.
Kyle and Lemine exited the bathroom, circling over to the kitchen nook.
The others were spread around the room, either resting or watching the street. None of them would know what was going on if she didn’t listen in.
“You have to leave,” Lemine said.
“That’s not happening.” Kyle crossed his arms over his chest.
“Don’t you understand what they’ll do to me if they find out I helped you find her first?” Lemine’s hair stuck up from where he’d raked his hand through it.
“No, I don’t. What’s PPM up to?”
Again Lemine glanced at her, his gaze hostile at best. What had she done?
“They’re doing this because of her, don’t you understand?” Lemine jerked his head in her direction but didn’t address her.
“Because of me?” Jackie glanced from the men to Kyle.
“What’s so special about one American girl?”
Lemine shook his head, muttering words so soft no one could hear.
“Her father? The gold mines?” He gestured at her.
“My dad’s company has had control over those mines for longer than I’ve been alive.” Jackie crossed her arms over her chest.
Lemine didn’t answer.
“You heard her. Don’t pretend you didn’t,” Kyle said.
“Two prospecting teams from the Davis company found gold in two new areas. They’ve been granted permission to build new mines.”
Jackie swallowed. Dad had a lot of interest in Mauritania, she just hadn’t realized there was a reason.
“PPM—what? Wants to kidnap her to blackmail her dad?” Kyle frowned.
“You Americans are so full of yourselves. You don’t even realize the rest of the world exists.” Lemine shook his head. “Samba Hamadi is the leader of PPM—and my boss. He’s always been infatuated with wealth and power, but there was nowhere for him to go. No one was going to elect or appoint him to anything.”
“And? What changed?” Kyle prompted when Lemine stopped talking.
“He got a backer. Someone with more money than he had.” He tipped his chin up, the light of anger behind Lemine’s eyes glowing like embers. “A woman.”
“Jackie?” Kyle didn’t take his eyes off her. “In English. What’s the big deal? What don’t I understand?”
“All I know about Hamadi is that he’s against equality and has had a few slaps on the wrist for slavery charges. He’s wealthy? He talks a big game, but doesn’t do a lot. People don’t take him seriously. That’s really all I know about him. If you give me some time I can find out more, but...” She shrugged.
“The woman bit?” Kyle asked.
“Oh. He’s completely against women’s rights. That’s one of the PPM principles. It’s why the party was on its way to being outlawed.”
“Lemine?” Kyle switched his focus back to the other man and continued in Arabic. “The woman. What’s so important about her?”
“She wants the mines,” Lemine said.
“Who is it?” Jackie couldn’t make those two things coexist. Having Hamadi in power meant eliminating all women’s rights in the country. This woman funding him would lose control of her money and work.
“Answer her,” Kyle prompted.
“Zeina Razqa.” Lemine spat the name.
“Oh shit...”
“You know her?” Kyle switched again to English.
“Yes. She focuses on jewelry design for Middle Eastern fashion. Very ornate, beautiful stuff. All in gold. I... How certain are we that we can trust what he’s saying?” Jackie didn’t want to think about the implications that someone like Razqa might support Hamadi to the point of starting a civil war. “Kyle, ask him why Razqa wants this war?”
Kyle repeated the question in Arabic.
“Because Hamadi will give her the Davis mines.” Lemine
rolled his eyes as if it were obvious. “That’s all I know. You must leave. Now.”
Jackie turned and stumbled away from the trio of men.
It all went back to money—and her father.
“Hey—what’s wrong? Jack?” Val grasped her by the shoulders.
Jackie glanced around, but Felix wasn’t anywhere to be seen.
“It’s my fault,” she said.
“What? What’s your fault?”
“Those guys who kidnapped us? They were going to sell me to the PPM. Someone is funding this civil war to seize control of Dad’s mines.”
“Jackie. No. Stop. That’s ridiculous. If someone was going to start a war, they wouldn’t do it because you were here. All of this was beginning when we decided to come here.”
No, but Jackie knew she was a bargaining chip. A tool to use. Dad had used her to divorce Mom and not have to support her, and now a rogue political party wanted to use her to enslave thousands of women and minorities in a country already struggling. Knowing the people she came to help would likely be some of the first victims only made it worse.
Felix tightened down the strap holding the crates in the truck bed one more time. They couldn’t be too careful when it came to the amount of equipment they’d brought with them. He grabbed the end and jostled the case. Or tried to. It didn’t budge.
Good.
He’d been worried, bouncing around this morning on the roads, that he’d lose one out the back. The locks would only deter someone for an hour or two if that. He didn’t want to imagine what might be done with the munitions and equipment they’d brought with them.
“You almost done?” Isaac called out.
“Just about.” Felix double checked the cab of the truck, eyeballing the contents. He had no idea if anything was missing because he hadn’t driven it, except for this morning.
“You seem to have hit it off well with Jackie.” Isaac ambled toward him.
“Nice dress.”
“Thanks.” Isaac glanced down at himself. The white, billowing garment bulged instead of draping smoothly over his body, betraying the gear underneath. “So—Jackie?”
“No.” Felix knew where Isaac was headed, and after the kiss last night he didn’t want to answer any questions. Isaac was too perceptive when it came to this stuff to not infer the truth from any answer Felix might give.
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