Lumin’s stomach twisted into a knot.
Kayla didn’t blink, but women can sense danger and unease like a storm front looming in the distance. “Is torture part of Jihad? Do you get pleasure from that, Azeel? You’re singing to the wrong bird.”
“Your admiral husband and the rest of the SEALs will follow us, Kayla. We have something very special waiting for them. I have a personal vendetta against SEALs, and I can’t wait to see them scream in pain as the plague turns them into bloated flesh.”
Lumin’s fear skyrocketed. They knew who they were, and that the SEALs were coming.
Kayla’s voice dropped ten decibels. “You think you’re smarter than my husband. He’s going to stack you and your men like cordwood. You’re the ones who will be buzzard bait.”
“I doubt that, Mrs. Austen. Your husband has power and he wants you back alive. If you tell us what we want to know, he’ll have you back. Nothing will stop what we have planned. I’d suggest if you know where Bjornson is, you tell me now, and you won’t have to endure my skills.”
Nina sighed loudly and Azeel’s eyes slid to her. “You’re getting boring, Azeel. You sound like every other terrorist playing the same record over and over again.” She offered him a contemplative gaze. “It’s not the SEALs that will kick your ass, it’s us. You walked right into the middle of a shit storm, and you don’t even know you’re neck deep.”
Azeel sneered at her. “I know everything, Mrs. Callahan, but most importantly I know where your daughter Gabriella is. I’ll make sure my man sends me a live feed when he injects your daughter with the plague.”
Nina’s leg shot up so fast it was like a blur, and so was the ricochet of Azeel’s head, with the pointy end of her boot snapping it back. Blood sprayed from his nose and he roared with anger, vaulting out of his seat and swinging a powerful fist aimed for Nina’s face.
Chapter Eight
Date: 07.25.2014
Time: 1200UTC 0400hrs PST
Mission: Code Name Luminous
“Where are they?” Vincent Billings asked, walking into the abandoned facility outside of Kingman, Arizona. This was a waste of his time. He should be back at the lab trying to finish Dr. Bjornson’s work, but disobeying Callum Dafoe was not an option. The man was psychotic about giving his dead wife and son the justice he believed they were due.
Vincent’s hate for Americans had deep roots as well. In Iraq, when they’d come in and destroyed everything in their path, he hoped one day he’d see justice. It hadn’t taken much for Dafoe to convince him to manage his lab while they re-engineered the Plague. Once upon a time, Vincent had been Kasim Al-Saadi. His parents had been in favor with the ruling power and lived a comfortable life. They sent him to England for his education, and he received a doctorate at Stanford for infectious diseases. He didn’t have the experience Carmichael and Bjornson had, but he knew what they were doing and his role was to keep progress moving.
“They’re separated,” one of Dafoe’s security officers informed him. He jerked his head toward the back of the building.
“Which one is Lumin in?”
“Door number two,” the guy said.
When he entered, he saw two security men standing in opposite corners of the room. One took a long drag on a cigarette and then flicked it on the ground. “I want to speak with Miss Edenridge—alone.”
The men shoved off the walls and exited with a disdainful look as they passed him. Lumin looked like a scared rabbit who was trying to keep a brave face. Her right cheek was red and inflamed. Her hands were tied behind her back, sitting in the center of the room. Slowly, he closed the door. “Lumin, these men will not stop hurting you until they get answers.” She stared at him, tears welling in her eyes and dripping down her cheeks. He didn’t really care if they skinned her alive, but he had to make her believe that he did. He hunched down. “Lumin, I know you were dragged into this, but you don’t have to be involved. Just tell us what Carmichael told you before he died.”
“Who are you?” she whispered, choking on a dry throat.
“I’m Dr. Billings.” He looked over his shoulder as if checking to make sure no one else was around. “I’m as cornered in this as you are. I’m just trying to stay alive. Dr. Carmichael and Dr. Bjornson were my friends. Now Carmichael is dead and I’m afraid Cliff is as well. I want to find him. I need your help.”
“I want to leave,” Lumin said, closing her eyes as another tear squeezed out. “Let me go.”
“I will, my dear. I promise, but you have to tell us where Cliff is.”
“You’re going to kill everyone.”
“I don’t want to kill anyone. If I could stop this I would, maybe I still can, but not without Cliff.”
Lumin opened her eyes and blinked to clear them.
“Please, they won’t give me much time alone with you. Lumin—please.”
“Dr. Carmichael died even though he helped you.”
“That was Dafoe, not me.”
“You didn’t save him.”
Vincent was losing his temper. He couldn’t tell whether or not she was stringing him along or on the verge of spilling what she knew. Patience. “I am in a position to get you out of here. You have to trust me.”
“My friends, what about them?”
If he promised her everything she’d know he was lying. “I’ll try.” She shook her head. “If they talk before you do, I can’t help you. Dafoe’s men will kill you.” He patted her on the leg. “I’ll get you some water. Be right back.”
Vincent exited the room and looked for Azeel. He heard a woman threatening someone and he headed for the next door. One of Azeel’s henchmen had a tiny brunette around the throat, squeezing the air from her. “Let her go,” he demanded. She staggered and reached for the chair, but fell to her knees before she reached it. He strode across the room and helped her. “There is no saving this country. Why don’t you tell me where Bjornson is and end your suffering?”
The woman raised her pretty face and stared at him with dark, benign eyes. She concealed her pain deep inside. “Your plan is already screwed. Are you Dafoe?” she said, through a blossoming lip where someone had fisted her.
“No, I’m a scientist. I worked with Clifford Bjornson. I need to find him.”
The brunette’s gaze lowered to the floor and her head drooped. “Good luck with that.”
He grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. “Listen to me. I’m losing my patience. One of you is going to talk or two of you are dead.”
* * * *
Azeel slowly paced around the table Nina was pinned face down on. It took two strong men to hold her there. She was definitely a fighter and that turned him on. He leaned over and looked into Nina’s eyes blistering with hate. “Would your husband still touch you if I took you myself, or would he be sickened at the thought?” She struggled, but the men held her down by cranking her arms behind her, way past the point of pain. “Stand her up.” He ripped her top open, the buttons flying off and bouncing on the cement floor. With a knife he pulled from his pocket, he cut through her bra front and once through each shoulder strap. With a flick of his hand, he revealed her breasts. “I’m going to fuck you dry, Red.”
“How do you fuck someone without a dick?” she spit at him.
He gripped the band of her skirt and yanked it down, exposing her black satin panties. “Very sexy,” he said, running a finger across her shoulder and then around her breast, playing with the tip of her nipple with his thumb. “Believe me, I have enough to fill you and more. Probably the best fuck you’ll get for the rest of your life, considering that’s imminently short.”
The door burst open. “What’s going on in here?” Dr. Billings shouted.
“Come to watch the show, Doc?” He stood behind Nina and grasped both of her tits, pulling her against him. Dr. Billings looked unnerved. “I’m going to fuck the truth out of this one.” He bit her shoulder hard and she suppressed a cry of pain. “Oh, sweetheart, look you’re bleeding,” Azeel said wit
h a mocking tone.
“Where is Dr. Bjornson?” Billings said, stepping in front of Nina. “Tell us or I’ll let him do what he wants.”
Azeel grabbed her face roughly and dug his fingers into the hollows of her cheeks. “Look at the man when he talks to you, Red. You got an answer for him or not?”
“Bite me,” she hissed.
And he did, digging his teeth into the already swollen openings of his last mark. Nina screamed.
Gunfire erupted from the main area. Billings stiffened. “What’s that?” He forgot he was within striking distance. Nina kicked him in the nuts, doubling him over, and used his falling body to spring back against Azeel. He stumbled back, and she swiveled without pause and kicked him in the groin. He nearly blacked out with the power of her long leg. The door flew open and a soldier with a weapon at eye level entered the room.
“Nina,” the soldier yelled. “Look out.”
A little late for the fiery redhead though, and Azeel plunged the needle into her shoulder and pumped the contents into her body.
The soldier gripped her to his chest protectively and yanked her away, pulling out the needle and dropping it on the floor. “Do we need him?”
“Tinman? Don’t tell Mace, please, Tony.”
“I can’t do that, Ninja Girl.”
“He won’t be able to do his job. Promise me.”
“Do we need him?” The soldier’s eyes were cold and calculating.
Nina nodded and then gasped out, “Yes.”
“Too bad, soldier boy. Have to kill me another day I guess.” He didn’t expect the bastard to come down on the trigger and fire into his knee. Before he blacked out he heard Red say to the soldier. “We definitely need that other guy.”
“Don’t shoot me,” Billings screamed.
* * * *
Mace parted from Tony and headed for the farthest closed door. He kicked it open and then rammed himself against the wall. Taking a careful look inside, there was only one chair and one occupant. “Kayla?”
She raised her head and he ran to her, undoing the ties behind her back. She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank God.”
He gently touched her lip.
“I’m all right, Mace. Where’s Nina and Lumin?”
“Other rooms, I think. Come on.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her to the door. “Ghost is going to shit a brick when he sees you.”
Kayla choked out a laugh. “Tell the Admiral to keep his knickers together. We’ve got information. Not all of it, but more pieces to the puzzle.”
“Ya really think that’s going to help when he sees you like this?” he said, walking through the doorway with her.
Mace looked to his left and saw Tinman come out of the other room with Nina. He’d covered her with his camo jacket. Her face was bruised, and his anger drove his good sense to the brink.
“Nina,” he called. She looked up, and blew him a kiss. God, the woman made him nuts. “Where’s the Admiral?” Mace asked.
The rest of the Tangos were under control and on their bellies on the floor. A single shot coming from the last room made everyone’s head crank up. A few seconds later Ghost appeared with Lumin draped in his arms.
“Secure the area,” Tony shouted.
“She passed out,” Ghost said, laying Lumin on a table.
Mace slung his weapon to his side and moved toward Nina. Tinman raised his hand as if he wanted him to stop, and Nina stepped behind him. What the hell was going on? Ghost reached for Kayla, embracing her with a concerned look.
Tony left Nina’s side and hovered above Lumin, searching her face. Her cheek was puffy and red. Someone had worked her over, but she was breathing and that’s probably all that mattered to Tony. He gently pulled her hand against his heart. “Lumin, wake up. You’re safe.”
Lumin’s head rocked and her long lashes fluttered. “Tony? Tony,” she said, and then flung herself into his arms.
He rocked her, holding her tight. “It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”
“Who got the worse end of the stick, you or them?” Mace asked Nina, taking another step toward her and stopped when she distanced herself. “You look like hell, baby.” Nina wrapped her arms around herself. “What’s wrong? What are you doing?”
“I love you. I’ll always love you,” she whispered, but her face was a mask of barely restrained emotion.
Nina’s body began to tremble. “Hey, it’s okay, babe. The cavalry is here. Everything’s under control,” Mace said.
“Sir,” one of the squad members from DEVGRU waited for Ghost to turn around. “I found this on the floor. It’s empty.”
Ghost’s brows shot together and then his eyes widened with concern. All three of the women stared at Ghost. “Which—” he paused and his jaw grew taut. “Which one of you?”
Mace’s heart started to thump hard in his chest. “Is that what I think it is?”
Lumin stood, protected in Tinman’s arms as his gaze went from the needle to meet Nina’s eyes. Mace’s blood ran cold. “No,” he said sharply. He vaulted toward Nina. Tinman tried to stop him, but he tore from his grip and wrenched Nina to his chest. “Nina, no.”
“I’m sorry.” Her brows crumpled. “I’m so sorry, Mace,” she tried to push away from him.
Mace’s gaze bounced off of every face, until he found the one he wanted. He had the guy with the white lab coat against the wall by the neck. “Where is the antiserum?”
The guy offered a seething glare. “She’s as good as dead. Just like my family. The ones you Americans slaughtered in my country.”
With his first swing, the bones in the guy’s nose shattered. “Where…is…the…antiserum?” Mace hollered inches from his face.
The guy spit out a piece of tooth when he said, “Twelve hours. You can watch her die in front of you, and it’s agonizing.”
Mace got one more strike in before he was pulled away and watched the man slide down the wall, unconscious.
“She has to be quarantined,” Ghost said quietly, letting go of Mace’s arm. “Ditz?”
“Sir,” Ditz said, giving Mace an uneasy look. “I’ll advise USAMRIID, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute, for transport.”
Mace took a step toward Nina, and Ghost stopped him. “Nina?” Ghost warned.
She nodded briskly, swiping the tears from her cheeks, understanding that no one could come near her anymore. “Mace, promise me—”
“No, I won’t promise a god damn thing. You’re going to live. You hear me? Gabbs needs you. I need you,” he said hoarsely.
Nina’s face pinched together with agony. She raised her hand to her belly.
Kayla sucked in a breath. “Oh, Nina, no,” she said, with a rare showing of emotion. “Please don’t tell me you did this with—”
Mace was confused. “With what? What? Nina.” He saw she still protected her stomach, and then it dawned on him.
“It was a surprise.” A gust of air came out with fresh tears. “I was going to tell you on our last night in Mexico, but then…”
Mace felt like he’d been enveloped in a cloud of numbness.
Nina nodded and gave a half-hearted smile. “We’ll be all right,” she said, clutching her stomach.
He scrunched his eyes closed and let out a deep breath. “I will find the antiserum,” he vowed, forcing away the hopelessness. “I will search every hole in this desert to find it.” He lifted his gaze to his friends, his family. “I’m going to be a father.”
Ghost gripped him around the shoulders and held onto him. “Yes, you are, Mace.” He paused and said, “Meeting in there.” The Admiral pointed to the middle room.
* * * *
Tony’s arm propped Lumin up, and she needed his help. They filed into the dilapidated office she’d been held in, but as soon as they entered the room he left her. Only the members of Alpha Squad were present. Ghost faced the wall for a moment and then slowly turned to speak to them. One fist was clenched tightly, but that was the only sign he was
unnerved. Lumin couldn’t keep the tears at bay. Nina could die, and it was because she’d protected her. Tony must hate her, and she wouldn’t blame him. She’d brought this to them, and now Nina was infected. Ghost tried to speak, but then his head lowered as if he was trying to keep it together. When he rested his gaze on them, Lumin was shocked to see tears in his eyes.
“In war, we understand when we fight for this country it may mean we die for this country. I have no explanation why someone like me escaped that end and others have not.” His lips pressed together for a second and then he spoke again. “We put it on the line to protect our families and what we believe in. Nina is like a sister to me.” He scrubbed away a tear and kept talking. “That woman has a fire that burns in her and will until her last breath. Mace, I will not stop until we have the antiserum in our hands, but we have less than twelve hours to find it. I will use everything in my power to keep Nina alive.” He put his gaze on his wife. “Kayla?”
All eyes turned to her, and she nodded slowly and took a deep breath. She filled the team in with every detail she had gathered since they’d been taken.
As Kayla spoke, Ditz searched data files. Filling them in when he found what he was looking for. “Callum Dafoe is a businessman and producer of small and medium-sized arms. He sold his weapons to the highest bidder and then sold more to the next highest. His wife and son, as Kayla suggested, were killed in a bombing in Kabul three years ago.”
“I don’t give a shit about his motivation. Where is he?” Ghost growled.
Ditz didn’t flinch with Ghost’s sharp response, and kept reporting. “He disappeared after that. Border services have a record of him entering the States three years ago. He’s an American citizen, but was born in Afghanistan. His parents immigrated thirty-five years ago.”
“Other relatives in the U.S.?” Ghost queried.
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