Protecting Terra (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Desiree Holt

  Well, thank god for that. But what did he do about his obsessed dick?

  He wasn’t a relationship guy. He’d learned that the hard way. Sex and fun, that was it for him. The rest of his life was The Job, and he enjoyed it. Got a lot of satisfaction out of it. And he guessed he’d do it until he was too old and unable, a situation he tried never to think about.

  But what had been that little spurt of jealousy when he’d seen the guy sitting with Terra yesterday at Rolling in Dough? Not to mention the unexpected surge of relief when he learned the guy was engaged to the woman sitting next to him. He did, however, tuck away the information the guy was a SEAL. He didn’t know how long he’d be in town, but he’d pass it along to Hal in case some kind of snafu arose.

  The cell phone dinged again, and he looked at the number. Hal. Great. He’d better get his brain in gear.

  He punched Accept. “You got something for us?”

  “Yes, and it’s not good.” His voice sounded gravelly, as if he, too, hadn’t had much sleep last night.

  “What’s up?”

  “Bad chatter’s coming down the pipe. What we speculated might be happening.”

  “You mean the Croats and the jihadists are pairing up?” Griffin almost dropped his phone. A new version of hell was brewing. “And from what we can gather, Jennings is right in the thick of it. Shit.”

  “My sentiments exactly,” Hal growled. “The Deputy Director was on my ass all night. Wants to know how this slipped past everyone to get to this point.”

  “Is it what we thought?”

  “Maybe worse. Somehow, without any of our so-called sharp agents, or any of our so-called sources who are supposed to be on top of everything, getting wind of it until recently, the Sons of Allah and Novak Tech have hooked up in an unholy alliance. And, as I said, Dalton Jennings seems to be taking the lead position.”

  Griffin rubbed his jaw.

  “What an unholy group of people. Scares the shit out of me. Do you know the Croats beat both the Chinese and the Russians as far as hacking is concerned and taking control of computer systems?” He gave a derisive snort. “Of course you do. Shit like this doesn’t go undetected.”

  “Yes. Good thing DHS has been monitoring this as best we could. They could take control of this entire country, pinpoint targets, set off episodes simultaneously, and shut down any of our means of detection or retaliation.”

  “Exactly.” Hal snapped the word. “Yeah, they could. I know what they could do. Fucking asswipes.” The silence was thick for a moment. “You don’t need me to tell you everything in our country is supported by electricity. Everything from the Internet to our national defense. Things that are the backbone of our national and economic security. Cybersecurity threats are one of the most significant strategic risks for the United States. It’s more than access to information. It’s the ability to shut down any part of it at will. Or all of it.”

  “Yeah, I know. Not the least of which is to engineer a terrorist attack and shut down all ability to communicate to deal with it.”

  “And I have more bad news. We finally got a hit on the photo you took. The guy’s name is Mislav Babic.”

  “Does he have a connection to Novak?”

  “Yeah, they’re cousins. Worse yet, and here’s the really bad part. He’s one of the backers of Sons of Allah, plus he runs a big Croat crime family. He and Jennings met through Novak. Then Jennings invested a chunk of Babic’s money for him. So now we have instead of an unholy trio an unholy quartet of bad guys.”

  Griffin felt sick. “Can this possibly get any worse?”

  “Don’t ask,” Hal growled. “Usually, when you do, it does. And the unexpected visit he paid to Jennings could mean your question might be answered. If he didn’t look happy, there may be trouble brewing. Maybe there’s a clash between Jennings and Babic. Maybe he wants more control for his money. Whatever the answer, it can’t be good.”

  “On the other hand” Griffin pointed out, “sometimes a fractured relationship can help us destroy something. Do we have a new plan in place yet?

  “Working on it,” Hal assured him. “We need to get as much information as possible before we make a move. With great difficulty we managed to hack into some of Novak’s emails and learned he’s ordered a fucking shitload of computer equipment. He could probably attack every electronic setup in the entire Western hemisphere.”

  “That’s enough to give you nightmares,” Griffin growled.

  “DC has been hot on the cybersecurity angle,” Hal assured him, “trying to put fail-safes in place, and the CIA’s got guys over in Croatia sniffing up Novak’s ass. It’s obvious he holds a powerful position in this unholy group. DHS believes now there may be a power struggle between him and Babic and another fight over who gets to pull the trigger on whatever is being planned. That could make a bad situation worse.”

  Griffin raked his fingers through his already messy hair.

  “Shit.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Listen,” he told his boss. “We’re sticking to him like a second skin without getting him suspicious, although Terra says he manages to exchange a few words with her every day. And more than once. She can’t figure out if he wants to get in her pants or suspects something is up.”

  “Her resume and references are solid. Nothing to arouse anyone’s suspicions.”

  “Unless,” Griffin pointed out, “they’re suspicious to begin with.”

  “If that’s the case, we have bigger problems than we thought. I know you both will keep on top of this, and I know she never goes anywhere without being armed. But make sure you’re always set to back her up.”

  “That goes without saying.” He bit off the words. Of course he’d do that.

  “Okay, okay. I’m a little edgy here since it seems this has ramped up a thousand degrees. We’re monitoring Jennings’ activities. I wish we could find out what he and that guy did for the thirty minutes they were off campus yesterday. What the subject of their discussion was. I don’t suppose you got a license plate?”

  Griff snorted. “I wish. He had it artfully obscured by snow. Of which, by the way, there’s plenty here. Next time, can I go someplace where I don’t freeze my nuts off?”

  Hal snorted. “I’ll do my best. Remember, we’re getting close to the date when Jennings would be bringing over another member of Sons of Allah. Depending on whatever yesterday’s visitor told him, he’s liable to be all the more cautious.”

  “It can’t be about the cabin blowing up. That happened more than two weeks ago. They’ve made changes to that part of the plan by now, plus they’ll be hypervigilant because they know we’re watching them.”

  “You think they didn’t know we had eyes on them before?” Hal asked. “We have to be cleverer than they are.”

  “No kidding.”

  “Not that you need me to tell you, but you and Terra really need to be on your toes,” Hal pointed out. “Like I said, we’ll have backup ready in Bangor waiting for your signal.”

  “Got it.”

  Hal cleared his throat. “By the way, you two still okay as a team?”

  Okay? We’re fucking our brains out.

  “Yeah, we’re fine. She’s a good agent.”

  “Yes, she is,” Hal agreed. “Do me a favor, though. Don’t get caught with your pants down.”

  Griffin barked a laugh. “No chance of that. My ass would get cold.”

  “Then keep it covered, and you’ll be fine. Listen. I want regular check-in texts.”

  “Got it.”

  Griffin disconnected the call and stood there for a moment, mulling over the conversation. If Washington had proof Croatian technology was blending with jihadists, he’d better find out what the fuck was going on at this end. He should probably also learn to keep his dick in his pants, but with Terra that seemed an impossible task.

  What in hell was it about that woman, anyway? One touch, one point of contact, and all his years of discipline dissolved like sugar in water. He c
ouldn’t get enough of touching her smooth skin, tasting her lips and her sweet, sweet mouth. Gently squeezing her breasts and teasing the firm nipples. Sliding his cock into her wet heat and losing himself in her.

  Damn, Dunne. Get your shit together.

  He pulled up Terra’s number and typed a text.

  Word from Hal. Meet at breakfast bar.

  The inn had a great breakfast bar that worked much better than regular sit-down meals. Guests could take whatever they wanted from each station, as much or as little, then either hang out at a table for a leisurely meal or gulp it down and hit the slopes or the skating rink. Or any other winter activities the inn provided equipment and instruction for. A lot of the staff used it, finding it very convenient, so it wouldn’t look out of the ordinary if he and Terra bumped into each other there. In fact, it was one of the places on the property they’d identified for that purpose. Not everything could be discussed via text, and they definitely didn’t want to call attention to themselves.

  And we’d better do this outside of four walls, or all we’ll be doing is fucking our brains out.

  Terra was at the coffee machines, stirring cream into her coffee and chatting with one of the guests when Griffin walked into the big main dining area. Through glass doors he could see Jennings having breakfast with some people he assumed were guests. Terra had told him the man seemed to take every opportunity to exchange a few words of greeting. Maybe he was only being the genial employer to a good staff member, but every single thing the man did raised questions. They’d been very careful since they arrived not to do anything out of the ordinary. Or maybe he was checking both of them out because they were the newbies.

  He got in line at the coffee station behind Terra and casually bumped into her.

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. Casual, he told himself, as if they only connected every now and then.

  “Oh, hey. Griffin, right? How’s it going?”

  “Good, good. In fact, I thought if I get done early enough today, and if the slopes are still open, I might try a run.”

  “Yeah? That’s right. You’re a skier.”

  He shrugged. “Now and then. I thought I’d get a little exercise.”

  She inclined her head toward a table by the window. “Why don’t you sit down with me and tell me when and how you skied last. Maybe I can give you some suggestions.”

  “Sure. Thanks. That would be great.”

  The woman Terra had been chatting with smiled at them. “She’s very good. Enjoy the slopes.”

  And then they were alone, or as alone as they were going to be in a room that size filled with people. At least there was space between them and the tables closest to them.

  Terra smiled at him as if she was, indeed, giving him skiing tips.

  “I got here early to check things out. Jennings was in the lobby, talking to the manager. Then he met some people in here for breakfast. They’ve been sitting at that table over there since then.” She pointed to a group across the room. “He told me they planned to ski this morning and asked me to check my schedule in case they wanted to do any cross-country skiing.

  “One of us has to keep eyes on him during the afternoon.”

  He nodded. “I can maneuver to handle that, just like we’ve been doing.”

  “Good. So far we’ve been able to keep eyes on him except for when he took off with the stranger.”

  “Yeah, that was a bummer. There wasn’t any way for me to take off and follow him, though.”

  “I know.” Terra took a slow sip of her coffee. “So, what did Hal have to say?”

  “Don’t choke on your bagel. It’s not good.”

  He told her everything Hal had said, making sure he got all the important points across to her. Stressing the dire possibilities that could come from this hookup of Novak Tech and Sons of Allah. By the time he finished, even Terra’s normally impassive face had lines of stress carved into it. He could tell she was using every bit of self-control not to let her reaction show either on her face or in her body language.

  “Damn, Griffin.”

  “No shit.” He took a big swallow of his coffee, realizing the bitterness had nothing to do with the liquid itself.

  “That’s the most frightening thing I’ve heard in a long time.”

  Griffin barked a short, humorless laugh. “That’s an understatement.

  She carefully spread cream cheese on a bagel, took a bite, and chewed slowly. No one but Griffin could see the combination of fear and anger in her eyes. “This is way above Hal’s pay grade. This has to have been kicked upstairs, right?”

  Griffin nodded. “As soon as the connection was made. Right now they’ve got everyone on top of this. Every department’s got its best men and women working to neutralize this situation.”

  “Has our assignment changed at all?”

  “No. It’s the same as it was before, only more so. Now it’s even more critical to discover when the next terrorist is brought across the border. Washington can be working on its end to create protection against cyber-invasion but it’s up to us to help them find the boots on the ground.” He took another swallow of coffee. “Keep eyes on Jennings and anyone he meets up with. Follow him. Keep track of him. Let Hal know the minute he brings the next person into the fold.”

  “And don’t make anyone suspicious, right?” One corner of her mouth ticked up in a grin.

  Griffin found himself smiling back a tiny bit then staring at her full lips as she chewed her bagel, remembering the feel of them wrapped around his cock. Jesus! What the hell was he going to do about a woman who pushed every one of his buttons, was sexy as hell, and had a sense of humor? And was a top-shelf agent on top of everything. He didn’t get close to people at all, certainly not women.

  “Did you hear what I said?”

  He snapped his brain into place. Letting it wander was dangerous on too many fronts.

  “Sorry. Must be lack of sleep.”

  Oh, good, asshole. Bring up last night.

  He slid a quick glance at her face to see how she reacted, but her features were arranged in a deliberate mask. The only response he saw was a quick flash in her eyes, a combination of heat, anger, and disappointment.

  Wait. Disappointment? The sex was off the charts. But then he’d been his usual crappy self afterward and left without even a “See you in the morning.” He liked it better when the only connection he had to a woman was burying his cock inside her body. What was it about Terra Oenning that made him want more, and fight that urge like it was an addiction?

  “Griffin?”

  The sound of her voice broke his introspection again, and he snapped himself out of it. He really was getting bad.

  “Yeah, sorry. Still thinking about everything Hal said.”

  Terra tore off another tiny piece of bagel, doing her best to appear like a normal person having breakfast with an acquaintance. “Griff, I’ve been thinking about the guy who came to visit Jennings. The one Hal says is named Babic.”

  “Yeah? What about him?”

  “Do you think his visit means they’ve moved up their timetable? Or that he wants them to?”

  He shrugged. “Anything is possible. Otherwise, why would one of the very top honchos come all the way to Maine for a thirty-minute meeting with Jennings?” He lowered his voice. “Hal and I discussed possibilities this morning. When they brought it to the Director, he had the same idea. How are you coming on the hunt for their locations?” He held up a hand. “I know, I know. You’ve kept me up to date on everything, but damn! We need to find it soon.”

  Terra was silent for a moment. “I still have a couple places I haven’t checked, plus I want to go back and take another look at two of them. They’re possibilities, although there was no sign of any activity at either one. I’ll get back out there and look again.”

  “I don’t need to tell you we might be almost out of time.”

  “We need to manage it so one of us keeps an eye on him at all times. I can manipulate my
schedule to a certain degree, and you’ve got a good view of the inn and his vehicle from the snowmobile barn and the equipment building. We have to make it work. It’s critical we know exactly when he makes that next trip.”

  “Anything interesting on Jennings from the other staff?”

  She was in a position as the newest staff member to ask casual questions without raising eyebrows.

  “Not a lot. He makes it his business to be as visual as possible but also to enjoy the outdoor activities.” She chewed another small bite of bagel. “What if he’s only responsible for part of the trip. If someone else handles the actual border crossing, hands whoever it is off to Jennings who then makes the connection for the next stage of the trip.”

  “Hal said DHS is on that.”

  Terra stared at him. “Of course, DHS was doing okay as long as they had the snitch to tell them where the handoff was to the next staging area. But with the source dead and the cabin blown to hell, killing that rendezvous spot, they have to make adjustments. The handoff here is critical for DHS to know.”

  “Yes. Especially now that we can assume how enormous this whole plot is.”

  “I’ve been kind of casually getting info about Jennings from the other staff. Mostly I wanted to know if he was away for any length of time. Even a few hours.”

  Griffin frowned. “I’m sure you were careful doing it. We can’t tip him off until we have enough information to spring the trap.”

  “I’m not stupid.” She swallowed back her irritation. She knew he was focusing on the critical nature of the situation. “This isn’t my first assignment, and I didn’t leave my brains at home.”

  “Terra.” He studied her face. “Please. No way did I mean to imply you did. I’m talking to myself as much as you. There’s so much at stake with this, though, and it keeps getting bigger.”

  “Did you do stuff like this when you were a SEAL?”