“Hopefully there weren’t too many,” I teased.
“None in your league, trust me.”
I kissed him on the lips, never able to get enough of their sweetness. As we enjoyed the moment, I let my mind wander willingly.
Until all hell broke loose.
Someone abruptly pounded on his apartment door.
“Stay here,” he said, jumping out of bed. He grabbed a robe, threw it on, and hurried out.
“Hands up!” someone shouted.
I crawled out of bed, gathering my underclothes. But before I even had them all the way on, the bedroom door burst open and two men in black suits with guns drawn rushed in.
“Freeze!” one shouted.
I screamed, dropping my bra.
“Let her get dressed,” Mr. Sully said, walking in. “She’s not coming with us.”
“What the hell is going on?” I asked, my arms crossed over my bare chest.
“Melvin testified against Warren. We’re bringing him in.”
“That’s bullshit! We had a deal.”
“That was before we knew your boyfriend was still involved.”
“But he’s not!”
“Do you know that for a fact?” The agent stared into my eyes a moment before his gaze dropped to my chest.
“Get out of here!” I yelled, furious.
“I’ll be out here waiting to talk with you,” he said with a grin.
As soon as he left, I rushed to get dressed, wondering if Warren was still in the living room.
What the hell was going on? Why did my life always have to fall apart when things were going well?
When I left the bedroom, Mr. Sully would give me no information other than that I was not to contact either Warren or Melvin. And then ignoring my complaints, he left.
They had already taken Warren away, and I had no idea what condition he was in.
My eyes teared up as I was left in his apartment alone.
CHAPTER 31
Warren
Mr. Sully stared at me from the other side of a wooden table. A mirror took up one wall of the otherwise barren room. I hadn’t said a word since they brought me in.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he said.
I stayed silent.
“Okay. We’ll bring the woman in too.”
“No,” I said, slamming my cuffed hands into the table.
“Ah, so you can talk…”
“Look, I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but I’m not involved with Melvin, Jacoby, or any of them.”
“Jacoby?”
Fuck.
“Would that be Captain Jacoby, your Savage Soldier CO?”
“You guys said you know everything, right? Have you seen me involved in any way since we got back?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean anything. You could be really good at what you do.”
I laughed at the insanity. “Don’t I get a lawyer? Let me talk to an attorney. I have the money to hire one.”
“You’re a national security threat, and you don’t get access to a lawyer.”
“That’s bullshit.” I moved my hands, the chains connecting my cuffs to the table clanging against the wood. “I’m a U.S. citizen, and I have rights!”
“Not until you help us, you don’t. Patriot Act, my friend.”
“Fuck this. That should have expired years ago. Let me go.”
“Or what? You’re not in a position to make demands.”
I bit my tongue to keep from saying something I would regret. The more I acted out, the more they could learn about me.
If they wanted a game, I would play it.
The military had taught me how to get through torture well because they knew it would likely be used against soldiers who found themselves captured during the new 21st century wars.
“Have you settled down?” Sully asked in a cocky tone.
I felt like reaching across the table and punching him in the throat just to wipe the smirk off his face.
“Here’s the deal,” he continued. “We need someone unknown and not in the military to take the fall. If you’re willing to give up the journalist, we’ll let you go free and clear.”
“Give up the journalist? What the hell are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. As a soldier, you follow orders and get things done no matter what it takes.”
“But she’s not involved,” I said sternly.
“You must not know her family very well, do you?”
“Her father is a traveling salesman, and her mother is dead. I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“You are a dumb grunt, aren’t you? No wonder the marines and the air force didn’t want you.”
“Hey, I chose the army on purpose.”
“Then you’re even more of an idiot than I thought.”
I lunged toward him and then pulled myself back, causing him to flinch.
“You better fucking watch it,” he warned.
“I’m not saying anything else until I get an attorney.”
He shook his head. “Okay. If that’s the way you want to play…”
He left the room and I stared over at the mirror, making sure they knew I was mad as hell.
* * *
Someone eventually came back into the room. Seeing my new visitor, I stared him in the eyes, my gaze full of rage. When he undid my handcuffs, I slid the chair back and stood, causing him to take a step back and put his hand on the gun at his hip.
“I’m not doing anything,” I said, raising my hands. “Where are you taking me now?”
“We’re setting you free.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
The man shook his head nervously.
“Well, I’ll be talking to my attorney about this,” I said.
“You can do whatever you want,” Mr. Sully’s voice said through a speaker.
I glanced up at it, and then over to the mirror. “You’re fucking with the wrong man.”
“Yeah? Get used to it. We’ll have our eyes on you.”
I bet you will, I thought, glaring at my reflection.
“Let’s go,” the man in the room said. “I’ll escort you out.”
I stepped toward the door.
“Oh, Warren—one more thing,” Sully said.
“What?”
“Stay away from Rose. If you go near her, we’ll bring you in and throw the book at both of you. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I muttered.
“Good. It’s just until we get all of this resolved. Thanks for understanding. Have a nice day.”
I walked out of the room and down a nondescript hallway void of life.
How can they treat me like this after I served my country in Afghanistan? I thought in disbelief.
Memories of everything that had gone on in connection with the smuggling filtered through my mind, images and sounds rushing past my consciousness as I walked.
One foot in front of another carried me to the elevator. After a ride down to the lobby, I went outside, where I stopped to soak in some fresh air.
Determination took hold of me and I knew that no matter what happened, I had to contact Rose.
She was all that really mattered to me.
If one person could help me see her without getting caught, it was Ryan. Even though I knew they were likely listening to my phone, I didn’t want to destroy it. So instead, I bought a roll of aluminum foil from a corner store and wrapped the phone in it, cutting off the signal.
Rose might not be able to get through if she tried to call, but at least the feds wouldn’t be able to track my movements while I went to find Ryan—the man whose friendship had made my time served in Afghanistan tolerable. I hated to drag him into the mess, but I had to have someone trustworthy on my side. Ryan fit the bill to a T; I respected no other man more.
As I headed toward his apartment by way of back alleys, I thought more about my next move.
What to do, what to
do…?
CHAPTER 32
Warren
Ryan sat next to me at the bar of a dark and seedy dive in the Bronx. He stared into his beer, not saying a word as he digested everything I’d told him.
“None of it makes sense,” he said.
“You’re telling me. But the only thing I’m worried about is getting to Rose.”
“I knew you two would get together,” he said, a familiar smile sliding over his face.
“She’s my life now, man. Help me get to her.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“No, but that’s why I called in the best.”
“I have an idea, but you won’t like it.”
“What is it?”
“Remember what we did in that hotel in Kabul?”
“Oh no.” I shook my head. “Not that.”
“It’s easy and safe. No one will get hurt, or at least they shouldn’t. We’ll pull the fire alarm, everyone will evacuate the building, and then I’ll bring her to you.”
“But you might scare her. Plus, they’re probably watching her.”
“That’s why we’ll get everyone out the building.”
“She’ll be pissed.”
“It’s the only way. And it’s safe. I’m done with killing people, man.”
“All right. Let’s do it. Tonight?”
“I’ve got your back. You know that.”
I lifted my mug into the air and he raised his too. We clinked them together and drank.
* * *
Traffic passed by cluelessly as I waited on the opposite side of the street from Rose’s building, far enough away that the spooks keeping watch wouldn’t be able to see me.
Come on, Ryan. You got this.
I shifted from one leg to the other, ready to jump into action when people started exiting the building. Two blocks away, we had designated a place to talk.
Suddenly, I heard the fire alarm. Dozens of people stormed out of the front door a few minutes later.
This is it, I thought as I slipped into the alley.
I broke into the neighboring abandoned building, the spot we had determined was safest to talk. Anxiously, I stopped and leaned against a wall in a dark corner.
I hated waiting, but it was necessary. My only thoughts were of making sure Rose was safe. She was my priority, plain and simple. Our relationship had sparked quickly, and I didn’t want it to extinguish so soon. Hence, helping the feds had become the least of my worries.
Hearing noises outside, I braced myself.
Rose walked into the graffiti-covered lobby, rushing over when she saw me. I stepped forward, my arms out-stretched. She ran into them.
“Are you okay?” I asked, pulling back and placing my palms on her cheeks.
She nodded. “Yeah. A little surprised, but okay.”
“I can’t believe they dragged you into this mess.”
“I’m involved because I’m part of your life now, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
I kissed her.
“Hurry, you two,” Ryan said from the doorway as he peered at the street outside. “I have to get her back before the spooks get spooked.”
“I’ve been researching more,” she said quickly.
“No, you shouldn’t be—”
“Anyway,” she interrupted, “I kept following the money, and it’s scaring me.”
I moved my hands to her waist. “What do you mean?”
“This smuggling operation made billions—it goes all the way to the top.”
“What do you mean all the way to the top? The President?”
“Okay, maybe not that far, but at least a general or too. Quite a few people got rich off Afghanistan.”
“Be careful.”
“We need to get going,” Ryan urged. “The clock is ticking.”
“You should just run. Get out of the city,” I said, grabbing her hands tightly.
“And go where? This is the FBI we’re talking about here. I can’t run from them.”
“They probably let us both out to watch us. We need to be careful.”
“We’re innocent, Warren. It’ll be okay.”
I sighed. “If only the world really worked that way.”
She stepped back. “I’ll follow this last lead.”
“Let me come with you. We can do it together,” I suggested.
“No, that would be less safe. Think about it.”
“You’re right,” I said, begrudgingly.
“I’ve been adding to an article as I find more information. This will be the story of my career, Warren.”
“I believe in you,” I said and then kissed her again.
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Wait about ten minutes, man,” Ryan said from the door.
“Thanks,” I said, turning towards him. “I’ll get with you in a few days after things calm down. They have to know something was up tonight.”
“They’re not dumb,” he said.
After Ryan and Rose left, I paced the dusty lobby of the condemned hotel that was too shitty for even the poor bastards running amok in the city.
I have to save her.
CHAPTER 33
Rose
Ryan left before we reached my apartment building. I went inside alone, sending Kim a text message on my way up to the eleventh floor.
Come over. Need to talk, I typed.
The feds were likely listening, but I didn’t care. I had been using the neighbor’s WiFi, so hopefully they didn’t know about my research.
As I found out more about the players involved in the smuggling operation, everything made more sense. Following the money trail had paid off—that was, if they let me get the story out.
A story this big wouldn’t be accepted by many traditional news outlets or blogs like the Huffington Post.
By the time Kim arrived, I had myself worked up, ready to take on the world.
She walked in my apartment, glanced at the printed sheets of paper strewn everywhere, and whistled. “You got some serious Erin Brockovich activity going on in here.”
“Close the door. You haven’t been with Melvin, have you?”
“No. Why?
“You can’t see him again.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” she said, stopping by me as I stared down at the stacks of paper neatly arranged on my glass coffee table.
“Good. He’s a bad man.”
“He’s bad in bed too.” She laughed, still clueless.
“You don’t understand. He’s a criminal. There’s no telling what he’s capable of doing.”
“This is Melvin you’re talking about, right? The guy you set me up with?”
I furrowed my brow. “I am so sorry. If I had known, I never would have recommended it. Can you forgive me?”
“I guess,” she said. “Honestly, I’m still confused.”
“It’s easy. Melvin—and maybe Warren—were involved in a smuggling operation out of Afghanistan.”
Kim’s jaw dropped. “Warren was involved too?”
“Seems like it. From what the FBI said, they’re ready to pardon him.”
“The FBI?” She tilted her head back and stared at me. “You’re putting me on, right?”
“No, I’m serious. I’ve been freaking out. They told me not to get in contact with Warren, but…”
“Let me guess,” she interrupted. “You talked to him anyway?”
“He came to check on me. He loves me.”
Her eyes widened. “Already?”
“I know, right? This is the real thing though. I’ve never felt this way about someone before. We connect.”
“But now the FBI is saying you can’t see him.”
“Exactly. Unless I can unravel the mystery of who’s behind this smuggling operation and where all the money is going.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed.
“You have an idea to help?”
“No! I almost forgot to tell you though—I’ve met a new guy.”
I
stared at her, dumbfounded. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Was she really serious right now? I took a deep breath. “That’s nice, but—”
“No, really. He’s great, a rock star.”
At this, my eyes rolled on their own.
“I’m serious, Rose. We’ve been getting along well so far, and we haven’t even slept together.”
“That’s great. I’m glad for you, but I’m kind of in middle of an emergency right now.”
“Have you called your dad?”
“No…Why?”
Kim stared at me as if I was the stupid one. “Because he’s a spy.”
“I’ve told you,” I said in exasperation, “he is not a spy.”
“And I’m telling you—he definitely is some sort of spy. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples for a second. “Kim, are you back on drugs?”
“No,” she said indignantly. “I can’t believe you don’t believe me after all of this time. There’s something off there, and it’s because he’s a secret-keeping spy! Anyway, all this talk of the FBI and spies has me spooked.” She giggled. “Spooked. Get it?”
I clenched my teeth. When Kim got like this, there was no reason to have her around, especially during a crisis. I couldn’t deal with her because I had a hell of a lot of work to do if I was going to bring down the people smuggling precious minerals out of Afghanistan on such a massive scale.
Clearing Warren’s name, as well as my own, was my first priority. I saw Kim out of the apartment and then returned to my laptop. Running the Tor browser made it more difficult for them to watch where I went on the Dark Web, a real source of information that flew fast and free.
As I worked on the story of my career, I realized that if Warren was going to be a part of it, he would have to go on record. My first instinct was to protect his identity, but having his name attached would give the story even more credibility when it broke online.
If I ever finished it.
CHAPTER 34
Rose
As much as I hated to admit it, Kim had given me some decent advice in the midst of her gibberish. Even though my father wasn’t a spy, he was my own personal superhero and might have had an answer to my dilemma.
He appeared surprised yet happy when I appeared at his doorstep. I threw my arms around him and hugged tightly. No matter the situation, he always made me feel better.
Lawless Hero: A Bad Boy Military Romance (Savage Soldiers Book 4) Page 12