Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(59)

CHAPTER 22

STEELE gathered with his and Rio’s teams a quarter mile from the appointed rendezvous point. It still chapped Steele’s ass to let Rio go retrieve Maren alone. He didn’t trust this Hancock guy, especially when it was clear he had his own agenda and he’d do whatever necessary to achieve his goal.

Hancock had already proven in the past that nothing came between him and the successful completion of his mission. He wasn’t above using any means necessary and he didn’t care who got hurt in the process.

Which made it highly suspect that he was handing over Maren out of the goodness of his heart and because Tristan was close to making a move on Maren.

“Are you sure you can trust this guy?” Steele demanded.

Rio shook his head. “I don’t believe I’ve ever said I trust Hancock. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. But I don’t see that we have a choice here. If we want Maren back, we have to play it by his rules. He’s very exacting and he’d absolutely back out and take Maren with him if I don’t do this his way.”

“I don’t like you going in alone,” Steele said stubbornly. “You have no idea what he has with him or if this is just a way to f**k with you and KGI. How the hell do we even know if he has Maren?”

Rio sighed. “Look, I don’t like it any better than you do. I’d much rather be at home in bed with my wife than out here in Bumf*ck, Kosovo, on some wild-goose chase led by a former teammate who damn near got Grace killed the last time we crossed paths. But if he does have Maren and if he’s willing to hand her over, then I have no choice but to do what he said and come alone. You and my team will be close by. If things go south, you can be there quickly.”

Steele stood down. He didn’t like it. But he couldn’t risk Hancock backing out and Maren ending back up in Caldwell’s hands, or even worse, at Titan’s mercy. She wouldn’t survive a minute with Titan. They’d dispose of her because she’d be a hindrance to them and any objective they were trying to accomplish.

“Okay, but if you’re not back in twenty minutes, we’re coming in,” Steele said grudgingly. “Get in, get Maren and get the hell back out.”

“Watch your six,” Terrence said to his team leader.

“I will,” Rio said in a low voice.

Steele eyed P.J. and Cole. “Wouldn’t hurt for you to sneak in and hang back so you can line up Hancock in your sights. If things go south, cover Rio and Maren and make damn sure neither of them go down.”

“I’ll go with you,” Diego said grimly. “My sniper skills are a bit rusty, but I can still shoot a fly off a horse’s ass at three hundred yards.”

“Then let’s get into position,” P.J. said sharply. “It’s almost go time.”

Rio slung his rifle over his shoulder and then shoved a clip into his pistol. “I’m out. I’ll be back with Maren in twenty and then we need to load and go.”

Steele watched as the other team leader disappeared through the trees. It took everything he had not to fall in behind Rio and take his six whether he wanted it or not. Only the thought of the possible repercussions Maren would suffer held him back. Still, the next twenty minutes were going to be the longest of his goddamn life as he waited to see if she made it back with Rio.

If Hancock had f**ked them over and led them on some damn goose chase, he was going to make it his personal mission to take Hancock and Titan down for good.

* * *

MAREN felt Armand stiffen, and he quickly drew his other weapon, holding both in front of him. Someone was coming. Every muscle in his body was coiled tight, ready to strike. She drew in her breath and tried to calm her respirations. Keeping her movements as slight as possible, she peeked around Armand’s massive body, straining to see through the cloak of night.

A moment later, a lone figure appeared and halted several yards from where Armand stood in front of her. Her gaze was glued on the man. Was this her rescuer? The person Armand was handing her off to? And if so, why was he holding him at gunpoint? For that matter, she now could see that the other man had his gun up and pointing in Armand’s direction as well.

Whoever it was, it was readily apparent that Armand didn’t trust him and the other guy didn’t trust Armand. Great. Just what she needed was to be rescued by an unreliable savior.

“Hancock, I’m here. Where’s Maren?”

She knew that voice. Her eyes widened. Oh my God, it was Rio! Elation swept through her. Her knees sagged and she grabbed on to Armand to keep from dropping to the ground. She was so ecstatic that tears flooded her eyes. KGI had come for her. She’d known Armand knew of her connection to KGI, but never had she dreamed that he’d actually contact them or that he would arrange for them to come for her. But however he’d gotten it done, she was so grateful she could kiss him! Was it possible that Armand was one of the good guys after all?

“She’s here,” Armand replied.

Wait. Rio had called him Hancock. Like he knew him. What was going on? But then she didn’t care who Armand/Hancock really was as long as she was leaving with Rio.

She was giddy with relief and excitement. She wanted to jump out and throw herself at Rio, but she remembered Armand’s terse order that she wasn’t to make a sound or move. But it was hard when freedom was just a few short yards away.