FIRE (Elite Forces #2)(30)
Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I make my way back to the office. Pierce is just hanging up the phone, and Jackson is sitting on top of the desk with a beer in his hand, staring blankly out the window.
“Fuck, man. You alright?” Both of them stand. Jackson walks to the small fridge and grabs a beer, handing it to me before I even have the chance to sit down. I unscrew the cap and damn it, the cold, refreshing brew feels good as I tip the bottle and chug a good half of it down.
“No.” There isn’t anything remotely alright about any of this, except for the fact everyone I care about is safe for now.
“Go home. We can start fresh in the morning. Kase and Steele will be here early.” Pierce wants me to rest. He should know me better than that. I can’t rest when I know what’s coming in one way, shape, or form.
“The President wants to meet with you and Kase tomorrow on conference. We’ve been instructed to only allow the two of you in the room for security purposes.” I look up from my beer to see him reading an email.
“Wonder what that’s about? Kase did brief him after the mission, right?”
“Yes, he did. In fact, I sat in on that call with him on the plane while taking you to the hospital. He wanted instant information on you, and that was as quick as we could get to him.”
“Has he said anything about Al-Quaren?”
“We don’t have any details. Just know that he’s been interrogated heavily.” Jackson slides off the desk and grabs another handful of beers to hand out. I take down the last of mine and gladly take the other one off his hands.
“Damn, I needed this beer today.”
“Well, I’m not going to worry about what he’s going to say. We went in and did our job. We never asked for their help in going back in, so as far as he’s concerned, it should be a great mission accomplished.” Pierce begins to walk a small path as he paces along two walls before he begins to talk again. “We should just plan to meet after that conference call to decide our next plan of action. We have to go after Ty. I can pull a few strings to see if we can get some more information on his ring before we just blindly go in.”
“I agree. Until then, we can get an update on Juice and Drew. Have you heard from them since they left for their mission?”
“Yes. Their teams are headed back. Juice said if we need them, they’re ready for the call. They’re taking a break from shit until then though.”
“I don’t blame them.” They’ve been on that mission for over a month now. Hell, that’s longer than I’ve known Jade. I’m thankful I didn’t go on that one myself. I shake my head at everything I would’ve missed. Yes, I would’ve missed Mexico, but I would’ve missed Jade. In the end, we’re together, so I’d never think back on any of the shit we’ve been through. My only worry is the future.
“You know, I’m due a f*cking vacation myself. I’m supposed to take Jade to Bali. I figure I’d better work on that once we get shit calmed down here and my brother handled.”
“You lucky bastard. Just be glad you got to her first.” Jackson stops listening and decides to join our conversation.
“You wouldn’t have had a chance in hell.” I take another long swig of my beer and watch Jackson smile. We both know he’s just rousing me. I’m not going to let it work today. Jade and I have been through far too much for me to get butt hurt when Jackson runs his mouth.
“You’re probably right, but I would’ve had fun trying.” His loud laughter fills the room, and I can’t help but smile at his easiness. This guy rarely gets stressed and just takes shit as it comes. “She f*cking loves you though. Shit. I thought for a second we were all going down in that helicopter when she pointed that rifle at Harris’ temple.”
“She what?” I almost choke on my drink and look to him to continue.
“Hell, Pierce. Play his ass that section of her recordings. That shit will haunt me till the day I die. When I get a woman to react about me like she did to you, then I’ll know I’ve met the one.” Pierce stands and quickly clicks a few times on the computer before her voice is echoing through the speakers. My skin crawls, remembering the same words I could hear in my headgear, but it quickly runs past that point and her rationale is gone. I shake my head as I listen to her demand they go back.
“Shit. She was pissed. I’m surprised nobody got their ass shot.” The recording continues, and I hear her threaten Harris. I can feel how hysterical she was, and I know she felt completely alone. Fuck, I’m glad that wasn’t me on that chopper and Harris on the ground, because I know damn well she would’ve reacted to either of us like that. Of course, minus the whole love thing.
I can’t say another word about Harris. At this point, he’s proven himself to be a great ally, and I love knowing that if something does happen to me, he will take care of Jade for me. I also know he has enough respect for me to know his place.
I hear him tell her he’s there for her wherever they’re going. “Alright. Stop it. I can’t take that shit again.” Jackson stands once more, handing me a third beer. I take it, knowing it’ll be my last for the night. I know Jade is working on dinner and honestly, nothing sounds better after what I just heard than having a normal night with the woman I love, and from the sounds of the insanity on the tape… she deeply loves me too.