Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(84)

He activated his mic. “Eli?”

“At the SUV. We’re secure.”

“Copy.” He led Rowan further into the trees. “She’s safe, waiting for you.”

As they hurried toward the vehicles, Brent kept his arm around Rowan’s waist to help her navigate through the darkness. She stumbled and would have gone down if he hadn’t been holding her close. “I’ve got you,” he murmured.

“How much farther?”

“Quarter mile.”

She groaned. “I’m not dressed for a nighttime run through the woods.”

Brent glanced at her feet, winced. Rowan wore the low-heeled pumps he’d bought her for Heather’s funeral. “I could carry you,” he offered.

“Forget it. I can tell you’re injured. I’ll make it on my own.”

If she couldn’t, Brent would simply pick her up over her protests. His cell phone vibrated. He checked the screen. Zane, letting him know they had ten to fifteen pursuers following on their heels. His tech expert was keeping an eye on the mission via satellite feed. “Ten to fifteen on our six,” he said into his mic.

“Get Rowan and Alexa to safety. Durango will cover you,” Cahill said.

“Copy.” Brent propelled Rowan faster over the rough terrain, promising himself he’d massage her feet and legs when they were safe in the air. Shots sounded behind them.

Rowan gasped.

“Still interested in Mexican food for our first official date?” Brent asked as he lifted her up and over a fallen tree.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather eat something else.”

“Preferences?”

“Alexa loves pizza. Are we being pursued?”

“We’ll handle whatever they throw at us, Rowan. Durango dropped back to engage Garcia’s men.”

“They’ll never give up, will they?”

He pulled her closer to his side. “Their leader is dead, the headquarters destroyed. Zane is working his magic with their accounts as we speak. By the time we finish with Navarro, there won’t be anything left of them.”

Another team had completed their latest mission and was en route to the Chihuahua province. The Shadow unit’s new assignment was mop up. These guys were the best he’d ever seen at gathering intel behind enemy lines. If any of Garcia’s cartel were left in the area, the Shadow unit would track them down and take them out.

In addition to fulfilling the president’s orders, the Shadow team’s leader knew the cartel had targeted Brent’s woman. Rowan was correct. Navarro would continue coming after her, this time in revenge for killing their leader. The Fortress team understood the stakes and they wouldn’t stop until all the cartel members were dead.

Once they reached the SUV, Eli opened the back door for Rowan to climb inside with Alexa. Brent sat in the back with them while Jon claimed the shotgun seat and Adam sat in the third row with Jake to watch for a tail.

“Aunt Ro, is Mommy here?” a small voice asked as Eli cranked the engine and raced from the trees. The sudden silence in the vehicle made Alexa looked around, uneasiness on her face.

“Your mom couldn’t come, Lex.” Rowan tucked Alexa’s hair behind her ear. “I’m proud of you. This was scary and you were very brave.”

The girl was silent a moment, then, “The bad men hurt Mommy.”

A statement, not a question. Smart girl. Brent reached out and stroked the back of her head, wishing he could lessen the blow of the knowledge to come.

Rowan kissed her niece’s forehead. “Yes, sweetheart, they did.”

More silence. “I’m glad you came for me.”

“Me, too. I love you, Lex.”

Alexa settled against Rowan’s shoulder, turning her head to look at Brent, stuffed rabbit held tight in her arms. “Are we going home now, Brent?”

“We’ll be home in a few hours.” Brent ran the back of his fingers over Alexa’s cheek, the skin baby-soft like Rowan’s. “I’d like you and your aunt to stay at my house for a few days. What do you think about that?” Alexa and Rowan would have twenty-four hour protection until he was sure all threat from Navarro was neutralized.

“Do you have toys I can play with?”

Jon glanced over his shoulder with a slight smile curving his lips.

Yeah, Brent agreed silently, Alexa was pretty cute. “I have a bunch of toys for my nieces and nephews to play with when they visit me.”

“Can I have ice cream?”

Rowan smiled.

“Absolutely,” Brent said. “I love ice cream. In fact, I have vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry in my freezer right now. Do you like those flavors?”

Another nod.

“Brent,” Eli said.

He glanced up, saw the roadblock in the distance. Not what he wanted to see, but Brent wasn’t surprised. Navarro’s network was extensive. Word would have gotten out about the firefight at Garcia’s hacienda.

“Take the next right,” Jon said.

“They’re likely to have that road blocked off as well,” Brent murmured.

“There’s a field off to the right. We can bypass.”

He smiled. “You studied the satellite images.”

A shrug. “The photographic memory pays off sometimes.”