FIRE (Elite Forces #2)(35)
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
KALEB
As much as I’ve enjoyed the interaction with all of my girls today, seeing my mom’s face light up when she saw me and met Jade was the highlight. My f*cking body is tired. I’ve hidden it well from everyone but Jade. Every damn time I moved, her head snapped in my direction, watching my every move. She’s on to me about many things, but I’ll have to let her fuss over me when it comes to my recovery. It’s about time to go.
Jade and I have two days before we head over to her parents. I intend to use those days fully. Fucking her sweet body before I drop the bomb that’s sure as f*ck going to explode in my face.
We leave Sunday morning to head back to Mexico. Al-Quaren finally talked; in fact, he squealed and ratted out the name of one of the most infamous Mexican fugitives on the FBI most wanted list: Fernando Sanchez. Hell, I knew the second I heard his name that he’s behind so much more than just drug trafficking. I remember seeing his name when we were working on the job to put an end to the sex trade ring that was discovered.
The informant for that mission mentioned an American man. I’ve never even considered that my brother could be that disgusting filth we investigated and were never able to uncover his identity. Whoever he was seemed to always stay just one step ahead of us on that mission. It was the reason we relocated the entire team to the compound. We needed high-end security and completely secure facilities to meet in. Our homes were no longer safe to plan missions of that magnitude. Hell, we even began to think one of our own was feeding information to the damn enemy.
Once we intercepted the delivery of over one hundred teenage girls, we actually killed three of the leaders in that ring and handed over files on countless international leaders trying to purchase the young girls.
It makes vomit rise in my stomach to think my brother may be the ‘American’ they kept referring to. I continue to watch my mom prepare her coffee pot so that it’s ready and waiting for her when she wakes up at five in the morning like clockwork.
“Kaleb. What are you hiding from me?” I lean against the counter, knowing I’ll hate this conversation.
“You know I can’t talk to you, mom.” I bow my head in frustration.
“Why do I think there’s at least something you can say?” She turns to face me and stares at me with soft eyes, her look saying so much to me, and I struggle to find a way to make her relax about this whole situation
“Not sure. Just let me do my job and do what the security guys say.”
“You gonna tell me why you’ve tripled the guys out there?”
“I’m working on a very dangerous project and won’t risk your safety. Or Amelie’s. It’s just a precautionary step and I need you to cooperate with them at all times, mom.” There’s no way I can tell her I’m protecting her from the chance her own son could use her against me to draw information about an international terrorist. Jade walks in, distracting us both from any further conversation.
“Don’t be gone so long this time, son.” My mom places a kiss on my cheek and moves to Jade, where she embraces her tightly. I’ll admit, today tugged on my heart, seeing all three of these women interact with each other. The happiness gleamed from my mom’s eyes, because all she’s ever wanted was for her children to find someone who loved them and be happy. She knows I’ve found it with Jade. She knew it when I talked on the phone about her. That’s something I’ve never done with any of my other relationships. With all the questions she’s slung at Jade today, I suspect she knows why I’ve fallen for her.
I’ve put on a damn good act for everyone today. Thank Christ for that. If she knew how f*cked up my body was or the shit I’ve been through, that spark would die out of her. No goddamn way will I do anything to bring her any more pain. I’m barely containing the pain inside of me myself. It’s mainly emotional pain at this point, but I’m beginning to think that may be worse than anything physical. Now, I’m just ready to go home and crawl inside my woman to forget everything that’s stressing me the hell out.
“Next week, mom,” I respond then lift my chin at Amelie, who’s on her phone, standing on the porch.
I slide into my Jeep next to Jade, who’s buckling up her seatbelt. “Thanks for picking her up for me.” I give my thanks once again to the two of them for going and getting my ride for me. I crank the engine and god, does she purr like the sweet little machine she is.
“You can cut the acting now that we're alone.” Jade’s angry voice detonates through the small confinement of my Jeep as I pull away from the house.
“Not acting with you. It was all for them and you know it. Am I hurting? Fuck, yes, I am. My back is killing me.” I decide to let her know exactly where I’m hurting before she has the chance to ask.
“No pain anywhere else?” Her wide eyes stare at me suspiciously from the passenger seat. She’s not only talking about my physical pain here, she’s digging. I can tell she wants to know if I’m in pain or feeling guilty about lying to her today.
I knew the minute I f*cked up on that plane by barely being able to choke out a damn lie. Funny how you can hide all signs of lying to everyone else in your life, but when it comes to the one person you care about the most, all sense of ability flies out the goddamn window.