Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(78)

“Tell the first plane to take off. I want a list of team leaders. We’ll coordinate our plan of attack in the air.”

“Roger that.”

Eli parked the SUV in the field at the edge of the landing zone. Within two minutes the chopper flew into sight and set down as though light as a feather. They each grabbed their Go bags and climbed inside.

Brent put on the headset. “Go.”

Immediately the pilot lifted off the ground, heading toward the airport where the Fortress jets were housed. When they landed at John C. Tune, Brent and the others unloaded quickly and jogged across the tarmac to the waiting jet.

He dropped into a seat next to Adam and activated the intercom. “Take off as soon as we have clearance. Push this baby as fast as she’ll go.”

“Yes, sir.”

Five minutes later, the plane powered up and taxied down the runway. Soon, they were airborne. When they leveled out, he unbuckled his seatbelt and motioned for Jon, Eli, and Adam to follow him to the conference table.

After they were seated, he said, “We have a few hours to nail down a plan. I don’t have to tell you how important this is. We can’t make any mistakes.”

“What’s the mission?” Adam asked. “Rowan and Alexa?”

“They’re my primary mission, but we have two others. St. Claire’s team is on the ground, scoping out the situation with the ambassador’s wife and kids. The last word we received from him indicated the situation was heating up fast. The president has also ordered us to take out Navarro, and shut down their drug and terrorist pipeline to the States.” A wry smile curved his lips. “Without anyone finding out this is a sanctioned operation.”

“Of course.” Eli blew out a breath. “No wonder we’re carrying enough artillery to start a war.”

“The Navarro cartel started this war years ago. I’m finishing it. No one hurts my woman and lives to tell about it.” He grabbed a laptop and clicked on the files Zane had sent to his email. “Let’s do this.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE


When Alexa kept trying to climb Rowan like a tree, Rowan picked her up and carried her into the large house. Hacienda, maybe? The house looked old and stately from the outside. Stucco exterior, red clay tiles on the roof. The stranger on the plane hustled her and Alexa into the house before she could take a close look at her surroundings.

Inside, the air was cool and the furnishings reminded her of movies and pictures she’d seen of Spanish homes. Again, she wasn’t allowed to linger and absorb the view. She longed to slow their progress. A glance at Snake Skin told her that move wouldn’t be accepted with humor or grace.

The stranger led her and Phillips to a closed wooden door. A sharp rap on the panel with his knuckles and the door opened.

Rowan’s eyes widened at the sight of the linebacker-sized man who scanned her, then Phillips. He snapped out something in Spanish to Snake Skin. The man who’d met the plane scowled, then said to Phillips. “No weapons allowed in here.” A sly grin curved his lips. “Except ours.”

“I’m not going unarmed,” Phillips protested.

In the blink of an eye, Linebacker pointed a gun at Phillips. He wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger if Phillips continued to object to surrendering his weapons.

Snake Skin searched Phillips and pocketed the gun he found before waving Linebacker aside. “Look at it this way, Phillips. You have us to protect you.” As though he’d said something hilarious, the two men guffawed. Clearly she was missing some vital clue to the conversation. Phillips looked as confused as she felt.

Linebacker stepped back, his gun still pointed at Phillips. “He’s waiting. Only you and the woman and kid.” A sneer at Hard Hands. “Your man waits in the hall.”

Snake Skin dragged Rowan into the plush office. Alexa burrowed even closer, burying her face against Rowan’s neck. She wished she could do the same. She had a bad feeling about this meeting.

Behind a massive teak desk sat a man with a patch over one eye, a long scar running down his cheek. Over his black shirt was a shoulder holster with large gun. Were the gun and holster a normal part of his attire? Probably, she decided. His career choice was downright dangerous.

The man’s gaze drifted down her body, making Rowan shudder in revulsion. His attention shifted to Phillips. “I don’t like surprises, my friend.” His voice was almost a purr.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“We all have choices. Some make wiser decisions than others.”

Oh, boy. Rowan picked up the clear undercurrent from Patch. Danger and raw fury. Didn’t Phillips see the danger? What did he need, a flashing neon sign?

She scanned the room for an available exit. Bars covered the windows and Linebacker blocked the door with his body.

Something bad would happen. She felt it down to her bones. Not knowing what else to do, Rowan inched away from Phillips, closer to the outside wall. A cushioned chair looked like the best option for shelter. She had to protect Lex with whatever was available, including using a chair to shield her from direct view.

Snake Skin noticed her edging deeper into the room. Rowan motioned to the chair. Her response was a slight nod though he shifted position to keep her in sight.

Looked like Snake Skin wouldn’t stop her sitting down with Lex. Rowan crossed to the chair and sat on the edge of the seat.