by Zoe Dawson
Sixty miles an hour was much closer to zero than she thought. Seventy flew past so fast, it didn't register.
Eighty was a memory.
Ninety, and she white-knuckled the door handle.
One hundred.
She glanced up, and he flashed her a grin, the wind whipping at his hair, one hand easy on the wheel, the other on the shifter.
One hundred and ten.
One hundred and twenty and they were flying. The sleek car was low to the road, roaring.
They left those jeeps in their dust as Beau never hesitated, navigating around anything in front of him as if it were standing still. She could smell the ocean as they got closer to a long spit of land, buried in thick jungle growth. From what she’d been told, there was an opening in the trees, perfect cover for egress.
Beau was slowing down when he saw them, and he swore. He swerved off the road as the tires kicked up gravel and dust, then they were skidding on the vegetation as he sent the Lexus fishtailing, careening for the opening in the trees.
But a different jeep came barreling down the road in the opposite direction and saw them as they passed each other. Bad luck and good communication between the cartel lackeys. A few more minutes and they would have been able to stash the car out of sight and made the chopper. The driver slammed on the brakes even as they skidded over the vegetation.
Kinley spilled out of the car, hearing the muted whirling blades of a Black Hawk as it screamed across the sky, heading for the edge of that spit.
Beau practically pulled Maria out of the car and Kinley started running as automatic gunfire cracked behind them. She turned and backed up as she depressed the trigger of the machine gun in her hand. The goons ran behind the jeep for cover.
“Run!” he shouted at her as one of the cartel goons yelled at everyone to hold their fire. Of course, they would want Maria alive and with two women, the cartel couldn’t be sure which of them was which. Their caution gave them an opening to get to the chopper. Kinley turned and ran, but one of the goons had not stayed with the jeep and had run around to outflank them. He was heading straight for their tightly formed group.
She brought up the machine gun, but the clicking noise told Beau she was out of ammo.
The man hit Kinley and Beau, knocking them all to the ground.
Beau hit his head and was stunned for a moment. When he could focus again, he saw Maria hesitate. “Run, Maria! Now!” he screamed. With an agonized look on her face, she whirled and took off.
Looking around for Kinley, he saw her fighting off the thug.
He rose and headed for the struggling pair. Delivering a hard kidney punch that would have the guy pissing blood for a week, he followed up with locking an arm around the guy’s neck.
Her attacker let Kinley go and Beau shouted at her to go as the Black Hawk touched down. More members were catching up to them as Beau faced the guy. There was no time for a prolonged battle.
When Kinley scrambled away, Beau slammed his foot behind the goon’s knee, taking him down. After a quick boot to the face, Beau pelted after the two fleeing women. He saw Maria make it to the chopper, but with a cry she turned.
It looked like the cartel’s patience was at an end when they realized they were going to lose them to the waiting chopper. A spurt of gunfire sounded behind him and to his horror Kinley turned around and started running for something bright reflecting the light. She bent down and grabbed it, crying out as she grabbed her side and collapsed to the ground.
Hot lead whizzed past Beau’s head. Something molten punched into his side and he gritted his teeth at the pain, stumbling. He regained his footing and pressed forward, heart pumping, chest tight, his eyes never leaving her crumpled form. Scooping her up over his shoulder, he ran the last few feet to the chopper.
Once they were out of the line of fire, two Marines opened up on the cartel members. One of the Marines slipped out of the chopper, running for him, laying down defensive cover as Beau hit the open door to the chopper, propelling them both inside.
As soon as they were on deck, the Black Hawk powered up off the spit of land and accelerated away from the cracking gunfire, but Beau was oblivious. He was frantically clawing at Kinley’s shirt, panic shredding him. Oh, God, no, no, no!
Blood covered her stomach and he swallowed hard.
In her hands, she held the picture of Maria and her husband.
With her face contorted in pain and the medic trying to shoulder Beau out of the way, Kinley reached over and handed the frame to Maria, who sobbed and clasped Kinley’s hand as she passed out.
When Beau woke up in the hospital after collapsing in the chopper from the wound to his side, the doctor assured him that Kinley had been tended and released. Her wound was superficial. The Black Hawk had landed on top of the medical center to get Beau the treatment he needed.
Shortly after that, Ken came into the room. “Good to see you awake.” There was a sadness in his eyes Beau understood.
“I’m sorry about Daniel.”
Ken nodded. “He was a good man and he died a hero. They’re going to release his body to me tomorrow.”
“That’s good to know. The cartel?”
“Still a threat, but they don’t know who you are, so you and Kinley are safe. Maria Costa will be protected until we finish working with Cuba to dismantle the cartel. There’s already been some nasty infighting in the ranks, so it’s a sinking ship. Also, thought you would want to know that Umprey Thompson’s little girl and grandmother have also been sent to the States under protective custody with new identities.”
He nodded. “Kinley?”
“She’s on her way here now that you’re awake. She’s been debriefing the DEA…ah…wait there she is now.”
Kinley came into the room and gave him a smile, but he got a bad feeling when she stayed a respectable distance. It wasn’t like she could kiss him or anything, but he just wanted some reassurance that…what? That she cared for him enough to want to take the next step in their relationship? His feelings for Jennifer had been laid to rest, but the memory of the pain was something that still plagued him.
His attention shifted from her when Ken pulled out the laptop from the case he was holding and opened it. The display winked on. The screen was taken up in thirds, each showing the director and his boss, Chris, the commandant, and then SAC Stafford.
“Good to see you’re recovering Special Agent Jerrott.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“To fill you both in, Diego Montoya has been identified by his photograph and his residence in Norfolk was raided. He was so confident he’d gotten away with it, he’d not only bought a house and settled in the city, but applied for a driver’s license. He and his two bodyguards are in custody and charged with the murders of Cameron Dixon, Mark Levin, Pete Samson, David Walters, and Umprey Thompson, along with the nine National Defense Force members and the three Coast Guard crew. In addition, they were charged with hijacking a vessel at sea. The ballistics proved that Dudley Martin had been shot and killed by Umprey, presumably when he had been betrayed.
“Montoya’s DNA locks him in at the scene. To get a lesser sentence, Montoya agreed to testify against the cartel. He told us that he’d had his face altered by Dr. Costa and had cashed out his bank account and secured a shipment of cocaine to finance his getaway. He intended to hide out in the US until he could neutralize the danger he was in. He’d already had Umprey on his payroll, but had Martin trick the Americans into thinking they were going to film a movie about the Coast Guard to get them on board for the sole purpose of deceiving any CG vessels they might come across. Worked like a charm. As for you two…”
“Here comes the ass-chewing,” Beau murmured, and Kinley didn’t say anything. He didn’t like her silence.
“What exactly was it that you didn’t understand about engaging the Las Espadas, Special Agent Jerrott?” the commandant demanded.
“I take full responsibility as lead,” Beau said immediately. “Kin…Special A
gent Cooper got dragged along in my wake. She wanted to follow orders and request permission.”
“I commend her for that.”
Beau breathed a sigh of relief but tensed up as she opened her mouth. “Sir…”
“And I commend you, Special Agent Jerrott. We thank you both for an exemplary job in taking the initiative and handling this mission to a successful outcome. A dangerous man is behind bars and will answer for his crimes. Job well done.”
Chris shook his head. “You are unbelievable, Jerrott. As soon as you’re well, get your can back to DC. I don’t want to see you in the office for two weeks, though. Take some time off.”
“Thank you, Beau,” Kirk said. “Kinley, I will see you when you land.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
Ken powered off the laptop and slipped it back in the case. “I’m ready to take you to the airport whenever you’re ready, Special Agent Cooper.”
She nodded. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
After Ken left, she cleared her throat and stood there awkwardly, not meeting his gaze. That wasn’t like her.
“Are you okay,” he asked.
She nodded. “It’s just a flesh wound, but oh boy, did it hurt.” She lifted up her shirt and he saw the stitches.
“Be careful,” he said softly, “or you’ll end up as battle-scarred as me.”
“I consider it a badge of courage.” She smiled.
“So, you’re heading back to Norfolk, now.” He so wanted to tell her how he felt, but with her closed expression, the words died in his throat.
“Yes…Beau…” She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her mouth over his. She kissed him fiercely, and then let him go. “You are a wonderful, amazing man. Thank you for everything.” She swallowed hard and turned away.
“Kinley.”
“No. We both know it won’t work. You have your job and I have mine. Take care of yourself,” she breathed, her voice thick.
He nodded like an idiot as the woman of his dreams turned away and left, the door quietly shutting with finality after her.
Maria sat in the plane seat next to Kinley. She would have a new life in the US. Too heartsore to talk, the pain medication taking some of the sting out of her wound and making her drowsy, Kinley closed her eyes and fell asleep. She woke up as the plane landed. As they made their way through the terminal, both of them were quiet.
Kirk Stafford was waiting at the curb and when he got out of the car to wave to them, he took one look at Maria and got this completely blindsided, shell-shocked look on his face.
He came around the hood and opened the door for her, introducing himself softly and tucking her inside. Then he glanced at Kinley.
“I should have known that sending a SEAL would get the job done, but also stir up a hornet’s nest.”
Just thinking about Beau hurt far worse than her wound or any reprimand Kirk was going to mete out.
“Beau doesn’t care about getting stung. He was so focused on getting the job done. He’s…” she had to pause, “…quite persuasive and persistent.”
Kirk shook his head and got into the driver’s seat. He quickly had them back at Naval Station Norfolk where Maria was taken to a conference room with some State Department types. Kinley reassured her that she was in good hands.
Before Maria left, she hugged Kinley hard. “Thank you both for what you have done for me. I will always remember you. Please extend my thanks to Beau as well.”
Kinley accepted her tight hug and then, with tears forming in her eyes, Maria raised her head high and walked off.
“Come on, Cooper. Let’s get you home,” Kirk said.
Kinley walked with him, blinking back the tears that had threatened since she had left Beau in the hospital in the Bahamas. She thought she could get away scot-free, but that wasn’t happening. She felt shredded. Devastated. She forced herself to keep walking. It will get better tomorrow. It was exactly how she’d shut down after her father’s death. Every day she told herself the next day would be easier.
And, although the pain dulled over the years, she would always miss her father terribly.
She pushed back the pain, swallowed back the tears, and made sure she was in control as she pushed out of the NCIS office and slipped into the passenger side of Kirk’s car.
He drove while giving her looks. “You look like hell,” he said.
A wry laughed bubbled out of her. “Thanks.”
“You did a good job. I knew you would,” he said as he pulled up in front of her house and they got out. Kirk followed her up the walk.
Once inside, she settled onto the couch in the living room.
Kirk sat across from her. “The DEA has recovered Daniel’s body. They’re sending it to his parents in Spokane, where he’s from. The Cubans are pissed about the covert op, but the DEA is glossing that over and engaging in talks about the Las Espadas. Hopefully they won’t be terrorizing the island or being a conduit for drugs and terrorist drug money in the near future.”
“That is really good news.”
“Daniel’s memorial service is next week. You hereby have leave to attend.”
Her throat spasmed and her chest filled. She covered her eyes with her hand. Kirk made a soothing sound and switched to the couch, sending his arm around her. She leaned into his shoulder. Yeah, he was a guy she could trust, and it was shocking how easily that happened. She thought of Beau, her heart breaking. All she had to do was take the risk. Could she?
“I’m sorry. I know this is hard, but I need to tell you.” His voice was sad. “While Daniel was in Cuba, he sent me an email and cc’d his boss.”
“What?” she said, seeing Kirk looking grave through the blur of her tears.
“The email basically laid out the incident that got his partner killed. He took full responsibility and he told us that you took the blame because he let you.”
She couldn’t help the soft sob.
“It exonerates you and your disciplinary action has been revoked, your record expunged. With your performance on this mission, you’re being promoted two ranks. The one you were originally at before the death of Daniel’s partner, and the one you deserve and should have been granted eight months ago.”
She cried harder.
He rubbed her back. “The commandant wants you in DC leading your own team.”
Her head came up and she just stared at Kirk. “What? I…I… Oh, God…I don’t know what to say. He saved me…”
“I know. It was in the report Beau gave to the DEA when he called in about Daniel.”
She took a deep breath.
“Are you going to be okay here by yourself?”
She nodded. “I’m going to need more time off. I’ve got something I need to do. Visit my father’s grave at Arlington Cemetery. I haven’t been there in a while.”
He nodded. “Take the time you need. You might as well look for an apartment while you’re there.”
She nodded again. “Thank you, Kirk.”
Beau walked through the halls of the CIA, a visitor’s badge clipped to his shirt. He’d been discharged from the hospital and even though he wasn’t one hundred percent, he was following through with his plan.
He didn’t bother to knock at the door to an office marked “Steven J. Giles” and let himself in.
The man behind the desk looked up with a startled expression on his face. Then he laughed and stood up and laughed again. “Ragin’ Cajun!” he said as he came out from behind the desk and gathered Beau up in a bear hug.
Beau laughed. “Even Steven. Put me down, you moron,” Beau said, using his nickname from the SEALs.
The man let him go and said, “I haven’t seen you since we were both discharged. What the hell you been up to?” He punched Beau on the shoulder.
“NCIS.”
“No way! You’re a copper, kicking ass and taking names. I guess you know what I’m doing.”
“Working for the CIA, yeah.”
He walked to the door and closed
it. “Nah, I don’t work for the CIA,” Steven said with a grin. “I’m no spook.”
“Right.”
“What brings you here?” He sat on the edge of his desk as Beau settled into a chair.
“High Value Target List.”
The smile faded from Steven’s face.
“What number?”
“Two.”
“You’re kidding!”
“Kaamil ‘The Assassin’ el Ajeer, the leader of Sons of the Republic.”
“The CIA has been after him for a long time, over fifteen years, but he’s been elusive, a real ghost. But if you know where he is…”
Beau sat back and folded his arms.
“I don’t like that look.”
“Remember in BUD/S when you were working your ass up over that wall during O-course?” Beau leaned forward. “You know, the one where you almost gave up and rang out?”
Even Steven rubbed the back of his neck and said, “Oh, geez.”
He’d gotten his nickname because the man was fanatical about paying his debts, keeping everything even. Beau had told him he’d collect someday. “I was that grunt who grabbed your hand and hauled your ass through that obstacle course. It’s time to pay the piper.”
“What do you want?”
“I want to go after him.”
“What the… Are you crazy? The CIA won’t sanction a former SEAL and current NCIS agent a pass to go wherever el Ajeer is and take him down.”
Beau rose. “All right, then I’ll find a way myself.”
Even grabbed his arm. “Wait! Dammit, Ragin’, you’re putting me in a tough place.”
“I need to take this guy down.”
“Why?”
“It’s personal. He’s got one of our tridents.”
Even stiffened, his brows folding down and outrage lighting his eyes. “Whose?”
“Paul Cooper’s.”
“Oh, yeah. Killed in a London street. Hey, he has a daughter…Kinley. She’s about…um, twenty-eight. A real looker, I hear.” He gave him a sly grin. “You dog.”
“It’s not like that. She deserves to have closure on this.”