“Not like we’ve got much choice,” Avery said.
“Always a choice,” Key reminded her. “Whether you like the alternatives or not, there’s always a choice.”
“If Ethan doesn’t fit our requirements, I’m not getting sucked back into bureaucracy,” Gunner announced.
“Agreed. If there’s a way out, we disappear for a while. Live the good life. Stay out of trouble,” Key started.
Jem’s voice broke in. “And resurface when the time’s right. That’s what false identities are for.”
“Go back to the couples’ room,” Key told him. But Jem half tackled him on the couch instead. “Jesus, you’re heavy. What’ve you been eating?”
“Crazy weighs more,” Jem informed him seriously.
“Good to know,” Key grunted. “When the zombies invade, we’ll make sure they eat you first.”
Avery scoffed. “Like S8 couldn’t take out zombies.”
Key rolled his eyes. With any luck, they’d be too crazy for even Ethan.
Chapter Twenty-one
Jem wanted to go in first. Key had secured last. There were benefits to all of them meeting Ethan in person and by themselves, because they could compare notes and find any inconsistencies.
Jem knew right away that this guy was too professional to let these inquisitions throw him. Unless Gunner brought in the equipment for waterboarding …
“Jem, it’s good to meet you in person.”
“Trying to match the face to the crazy?” Jem asked with his best disarming smile. “You don’t look anywhere near as pretentious as your name sounds.” Ethan seemed … surprised that Jem said that, which made Jem happy. So he continued. “How fucking old are you?” Even though he suspected Ethan looked much younger than he actually was. He obviously kept himself in good shape.
Instead of answering, Ethan simply stared at him. Good choice. Jem asked, “Why’d you leave the DEA?”
That one, Ethan deemed worth answering. “What makes you think I left?”
“Because if they kick you out, they’re not going to be your buddies.”
Ethan considered that. “When you’ve got something they want badly enough, you’d be surprised. Then again, I wouldn’t expect you to be surprised by anything, Jem. You know how this all works.” He sat back in his chair and studied Jem, although not in that shrink way that made him squirm.
No, it was the look of somebody who’d been in his place, someone who knew exactly the things that Jem had been forced to do and those he’d done willingly. “I don’t want to fucking like you. We were forced into this meeting with you—you know that. You’ve obviously been following us and waiting to make your move.”
“I realize that you don’t have much of a choice, and no, I was actually following Section 8 for a while, hoping it wouldn’t come to something like this. But you had to know there was only so far you could take the Robin Hood shit without the government trying to rein you in. So I’m hoping as time goes on you realize that my intentions are good.”
“So why do you do this?”
“Because I’ve seen too many men and women that I’ve trained get completely fucked over by the system. Left behind to die in places they should never have been let into in the first place. I prepare them and I expect the CIA to take them the rest of the way by giving them resources. They stopped doing that. But that doesn’t mean that the world doesn’t need the kind of men and women that I can train. My conscience won’t allow me to send people out there that I don’t know can do the jobs. That don’t have backup. I can provide that backup. I have resources, money, and I’m not afraid to use it, the way Section 8’s been using their money. So you wouldn’t have to touch your money. Invest it. Put it in trust. It’s still going to be yours. And I’ll protect you from the Big Bad Wolf of the government in return.”
“Because you’re a humanitarian?”
“Because I couldn’t do as much as your team does when I was working for government agencies. But I didn’t piss as many people off as all of you did. I’ve got the right connections, and you’ve got the balls.”
There was definitely a story there. Ethan Welles IV was paying some kind of penance. That was something Jem could understand, and maybe even respect if given enough time. But time was something S8 didn’t have, and so he nodded in agreement and shook Ethan’s hand, because there would be no paper binding them together, just a nod and a shake, a gentlemen’s agreement, and Jem would never have to go back into the CIA ever again.
Or at least, not any time soon, if Ethan had the pull he claimed to.
Jem sighed and reluctantly called the rest of the group, giving them the all-clear to talk one-on-one to Ethan. At the last minute, Avery had given Ethan the state and then the city, and twenty minutes before their meeting, she’d given Ethan the location of the hotel she’d rented. Five minutes before Jem was to meet him, she’d given Ethan the hotel room number and left the door open, but no key for him.
Jem decided to go ahead to the address and not let the others arrive until he’d checked it out thoroughly. But he’d been waiting outside Ethan’s room for an hour and there were no signs of anything. And his bugs just picked up the usual—typing sounds. TV.
So far, it wasn’t a giant fucking setup to gather them up and bring them in.
So far, it wasn’t. That didn’t mean things would be smooth as glass.
The mood that morning among the group had been grim. They all knew that allowing S8 to be officially run by the former CIA mystery man—no matter if he was simply a figurehead—would enable them to be able to stay together, but they could pay a high price. What happened to the original Section 8 was still burned into their brains, a lesson never to be forgotten. To be dogs on someone else’s leash meant giving away their power. They’d have to make sure that this situation was different.
“I’m imagining that we’ve all agreed it’s better to stay together than to split up and let the government have their way with us,” Avery had explained to them earlier on the ride toward the meeting place. “And I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision for everyone, but it’s the best one. If Ethan can truly make sure we’re untouchable … we can keep doing our work without compromise.”
Gunner had reached up and held Avery’s hand, squeezing it. Jem had his arm around Drea. He was still uneasy with his decision, but he couldn’t deny that being with her was what he wanted.
He also refused to let Drea meet with Ethan on her own. And he hadn’t warned Ethan about that, so when Drea knocked on the door, Ethan had given her a brief smile, and Jem got a small frown.
“Did you miss me, Ethan?” Jem asked as he pushed past him.
As soon as all three of them sat down, Drea cut right to the chase. “I want to make sure Section 8 is out of trouble on my end. I don’t want them to be burdened by my past or the OA. I’ll do what it takes to make sure of that.”
Ethan gave her a small, but no less serious smile. “I figured you’d say something like that. And I know you’re serious. In order to accomplish what you want to, you’ll have to meet with the feds and give them your statement. Danny’s under federal protection. He won’t be there, but you can give one final statement, help put another nail in his coffin and then you can disappear with Section 8, under their immunity, and mine. Danny and the feds won’t be able to touch you after that.”
Ethan looked satisfied at what he’d accomplished.
Jem was less so. “What if we just took out the OA—and Danny—instead? Problem solved, right?”
Ethan sighed. “You’re in for a long, arduous road that way. These guys multiply. It’s a waste of your time and talents, and it’s surprisingly more dangerous than the work you already do.”
All of that was true. Didn’t mean Jem wanted to hear it.
Ethan pressed on. “If Drea doesn’t testify, I can guarantee Danny goes into witness protection and he’ll get immunity. He’s giving the FBI a lot of good information on other MCs—it’s enough to put together some solid RIC
O cases. And Danny will then still have a reach with the OA—we all know that. Which means Drea’s life wouldn’t change—she’d still be wanted. I’m going to tell the FBI that they should be much more willing to believe a licensed medical professional—and I think they know that.”
“I agree that there’s no way to take down the whole OA,” Drea said. “There are too many men willing to be loyal. Too many chapters. So fine, I’ll testify against Danny. But I have no doubt that I’ll still need protection from the OA for the immediate and foreseeable future.”
In response, Jem put his arm around her. “I’m your goddamned foreseeable future, Drea. Don’t you forget it.”
She most definitely would not.
*
Key was the last one in to meet with Ethan. Purposely. Because hell, at this point Jem might sign his fucking life away for Drea, and while he didn’t blame his brother in the least, someone had to look out for the asshole.
Key had been doing that, sometimes from afar, for a long time. It came naturally to him. S8 did as well. He’d missed working with a team once he was forced out of the Army, but he’d had a rough time of it after rescuing Dare.
Now, looking around at the group he’d come to regard as family, he couldn’t believe how things had changed. And, with a single phone call, how they were threatening to go right back to where they’d been.
Needless to say, he hadn’t slept much since he was told about Ethan.
Gunner was upset that Avery didn’t tell him about Ethan earlier, but despite that, there was no sign of a cold bed for them. But Key’s bed had been cold for a long while. If you didn’t count the one-night stands.
Which he refused to.
Avery called him once Dare left the meeting with Ethan. Key met Avery outside the hotel room she’d rented for just his purpose. He’d seen Dare pass in the lobby, but in public like that, they acted like total strangers.
Avery had ensured that the cameras in this particular hallway were set on a continuous loop for hotel security—playing footage from several days ago instead of recording. Now she motioned to the door and said, “He claims he doesn’t have a history with any of us.”
Right—he just follows S8’s every move … “So he just wants to help out of the goodness of his heart?”
“I’m sure there’s way more to his motive than that, but we all knew that the agencies would start coming down on us eventually,” Avery reasoned. “I never expected an offer like this.”
“Should’ve expected,” Key said gruffly, and immediately regretted it, based on the flash of hurt in her eyes. “Even so, there wasn’t anything you could’ve done to stop it, Avery. I just think we need to be careful.”
“Agreed.” She crossed her arms and motioned toward the door. “You’re the last one in.”
“What’s the consensus?”
“I’ll tell you after you meet him.”
“Don’t wait here for me—go back with the others, just like we agreed on,” Key reminded her. Just because there’d been no trouble yet didn’t mean Ethan wasn’t up to something.
“I remember. Try not to maim him, okay?” Avery called over her shoulder as she walked down the hall.
Try was the operative word.
Key opened the door and took in the tall, dark-haired man sitting at the desk in the middle of the hotel suite. And froze.
This cannot be fucking happening.
The only measure of comfort was that Ethan was looking at him the exact same way. And so, before Avery could note the tension, he walked in and closed the door behind him.
By that point, Ethan’s mask had slipped back into place, as Key’s had too. He’d play it cool, and deal with the issue at hand, which Ethan seemed to be content to do as well when Key sat across from him.
Ethan began with a casual “Thanks for meeting with me today. I’m sure you’ve got questions.”
You have no motherfucking idea. And Key was not playing this pretend game of anything. “What’s your background?”
Ethan tipped back in the rolling hotel desk chair. “ICE.”
Telling the truth, Key wondered. It appeared that way, but he hadn’t spent enough time with the guy to learn his tells. His interests had been focused elsewhere. “Homeland Security?”
“By way of the DEA. Specifically, I went into immigration.”
Key’s mind began to work backward. “Right. So you’re the guy who grabs the terrorists on immigration charges—until the FBI or CIA can grab them on bigger things.”
“Or unless someone jumps in and blows up a few boats and takes out our terrorists first. Either way, it’s a win.” Ethan smiled tightly.
Anyone with enough time in the DEA or ICE had connections with all the agencies, including major police forces. “So, why do you need our help?”
“You need mine.” Ethan’s fist came down on the table, more decisive than angry. “Doesn’t the CIA or FBI or military trying to capture you all and beat you into submission and drag you into some form of captivity not tell you that? You’re also dragging a woman wanted by the FBI for stealing drugs for a one percenter MC.”
Key tilted his head. “And because you care so much about us, right? Do we keep you up at night with worry?”
“Does it matter? I’m a way out. The only way.”
“Why’re you out of ICE now?”
“I’ve retired.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
“I know.”
Key shook his head. “You don’t think I’m going to start digging up dirt on you?”
“Dare you to try.” Ethan smiled. “In the meantime, I’d seriously consider my offer. Because you guys are good, but you’re running out of places to hide.”
“There are always places to hide.”
“Good luck finding them.”
“I don’t need luck, Ethan.” Key dragged out the man’s name as he stood and headed toward the door. “But you might.”
He left on those words, not giving Ethan a chance to counter.
Avery thankfully wasn’t still in the hallway as Key stood on the other side of Ethan’s door, gaining his composure. He checked his phone and found a text, telling him to meet her at the new hotel, three blocks over.
They weren’t taking any chances that Ethan was possibly rounding them up for the CIA or the FBI. And if he wasn’t, there was still an ulterior motive. Did the guy want to join S8? If so, why not just say that? Why just offer to fund it and get them out of the current mess?
It didn’t matter—there was no way Key would ever go back into the military, or work for any of the agencies. Not after all he’d seen Jem and the others go through at the hands of government agencies. He’d been on the receiving end of a dishonorable discharge for disobeying an order—saving Dare’s life in the process. He’d never regretted that, and he’d long forgiven Dare for not coming to court and standing up for him. There were circumstances.
There were always circumstances.
He heard the sound of a door opening when he was halfway down the hall, and out of habit he turned, ready for anything.
Ethan was leaning against the doorjamb, watching him.
“Forget something?” Key asked, still torn between just walking away and dealing with this shit right now.
“I don’t forget anything.” Ethan continued staring.
Key swore he could hear Ethan mentally cataloguing his life, from bayou to military to court-martial. “Get the fuck out of my files.”
Ethan smiled. “I could probably get the court-martial erased from your record.”
“You know what? I don’t want it erased. I want it there, for everyone to goddamned see what helping out a man nailed to a fucking cross and left to die gets you in the military.”
“Martyrdom isn’t a good look on you, Key.”
“And asshole isn’t one on you. Too bad it’s the only one you’ve got.”
*
An hour later, Key joined Avery in their new hotel suite. Actually,
the others were in their own rooms that branched off the suite, and it was just him and Avery.
She asked, “What did you think of Ethan?”
“Fucking hate him?” Key offered.
“Well, that’s promising, because you hated Dare and Gunner at first too,” she pointed out.
“Do not try to make this better, Avery,” Key demanded. “This is different.”
“Right. He’s trying to help us. How’s that different?”
“Don’t tell me you trust him.”
“Not entirely. But if we can use him to get the FBI/CIA off our back …”
“And then what? Say, ‘Sorry, but no deal, Ethan’ after he does that? It’s not going to be that easy,” Key countered. “He’ll sic them back on us, and I’m not living like that.”
“I don’t know what else to do but run. I think we’re all tired of having to do that from people who’re supposed to be the good guys.”
“Avery, you can’t be this naive. Because do you really think the FBI and the CIA are the good guys?”
Avery sighed. “People might ask the same of us, you realize. And yeah, more often than not, I think they are the good guys.”
He glanced over at her. “Remains to be seen.”
Chapter Twenty-two
Part one of the agreement between S8 and Ethan was already in progress less than forty-eight hours after Jem and the rest of the team’s initial meet and greet. Drea allowed Ethan to take her to the local police department to meet with the FBI agents, with Jem by her side, and the rest of the team following closely.
Ethan had refused to bring her to the FBI’s own offices, something that sat with S8, and Drea herself, quite well. Besides the fact that bringing Drea into an FBI office could be problematic for Danny’s case, should anyone spot her there.
Danny was a silent witness for the FBI—if they did anything to compromise him, another MC would most definitely try to kill him if they thought he was cooperating. And seeing his onetime girlfriend going into an FBI office could also spell the kiss of death.
Jem and Drea followed Ethan into the small room that used a two-way mirror for police officers and lawyers to watch interrogations. It was smaller than she’d imagined, and a lot more claustrophobic, especially when she saw who was on the other side of the window.
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