Page 46 of Breached

“I know where it stops, but I don’t understand who offloads the food and where they go.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. I had to hold this woman’s hand like a toddler. “Find out where those trucks are going. I want to know if anyone shows up to intercept them. I want pictures, I want license plate numbers, I want anything that leads me to that friggin’ safehouse! This is your last chance to bring me something useful, J, or your father will meet his fate.”

The line went quiet as I hung up with a satisfied smile. I stepped toward the window. Things were finally going in my favor. We were so close to mayhem I could taste it.

“I think we should be worried about Nicole Winter being with that general,” Armondo said from where he sat next to my desk. Clearly, he’d been thinking.

I smiled as I watched the sunlight spread far across the flat ground, stopping at the mountain peaks. “Remember the way the US military works.” I rolled my eyes. “They’d never put a civilian or an asset in harm’s way.” I stopped to consider that. “No, I think that general was sacrificing her for his own purpose, without the military knowing. Perhaps he was looking for personal glory.”

“Clearly, it was to get you.” Armondo stood, his face full of concern. “But what happened? Where is Nicole Winter now?”

“That’s what I intend to find out.”

TWELVE

PAUL

“Up!” I called as we raised our arms in unison, lifting the two-hundred-pound log over our heads to march it across the snow-covered property. It was so good to be back with my own team. West, Lark, Kent, and Hallman were at the front, and I took the last position immediately behind Brandon, Keith’s son. I hadn’t trained with Stonewall for weeks, since I’d been helping Cole and Team Blackstone. The best way to connect with my men was to put boots on the ground. No one respected a leader more than one who trained right alongside them, and all our team leaders did just that.

“Even out the weight,” I encouraged Brandon. “Don’t rely on your wrists. Think elbow and shoulder, too.” Brandon was tall for his age and still needed the help of his wrists to hold the log up. He’d soon have enough strength in his shoulders.

“Yes, sir.” He fixed his hold as he steadied himself. Good. He was young but was the most determined kid I’d ever seen. He never gave up until he was told to, and because of that, he was treated just like the rest of the guys. An old soul, he kept to himself but left a mark wherever he went, and the guys liked him. I had a ton of respect for the kid and loved it when he joined our workouts.

I saw Cole and Savi heading toward us, so when we hit the edge of the lawn, I called it.

“That’s enough, boys. Down.” We lowered the log to the ground. “That’s it for today.”

Brandon tossed me my water bottle, and we both took a moment to hydrate. It still was a bit cool, but spring was right around the corner. You could feel it in the air.

“Nice work.” I rolled my shoulder as I spoke to Brandon. “You’re getting quicker on your feet.”

“Thanks.” He nodded. “I’m still struggling with my wrist rotation, but I know that’ll come with time.”

“Exactly. Keep working on those wrist exercises I showed you.”

He ran a hand through his hair and dug the heel of his boot into the snow, much like his father did when there was something on his mind. “It must be strange suddenly having a son,” he said softly.

I felt my chest tighten at how casually he said it. “How’d you know?”

“Liv isn’t the only one who pays attention around here.” He gave me a lopsided smile. “It wasn’t hard to figure out, especially lately, since you got back. You’re the only guy who holds him besides Doc Roberts.”

“I see.” I chuckled, impressed with the kid. “Yes, it is strange.” I figured he deserved a real answer. “It’s an adjustment, for sure. I’m just glad we got him out of Mexico before anyone else got to him.”

“That would’ve been bad.” He nodded then looked at me, and I knew it was coming. “Where’s his mom?”

I somehow knew it would be the next question. Talya’s beautiful face came to me, and for the first time, instead of feeling a loss inside, I just felt sadness for Chase that he wouldn’t see her again. “She’s, ah, she’s dead.”

An expression of sorrow raced across his face, but he quickly shoved the emotion down. He looked right at me and said, “I’m sorry. It’s hard to lose your mother.” Brandon’s apology hit hard, and I knew the loss of his own mother, Lexi, had cut him deeply.

“Thanks, B, I know you are.” I tipped my head back and drank in the sun. “You figure anything else out?”

“Liv and I think Dr. Bash has a crush on Ms. Winter,” he blurted, then waved as Cole and Savi headed toward us.

So, I wasn’t the only one who felt it. “What makes you say that?”

“He was talking to Dr. Ivy about her the other day, saying that he thinks she’s pretty and that he was thinking of asking her out. Don’t worry, I made sure he knew Ms. Winter was your girlfriend.”

I laughed, thinking how great it was that the kids had our backs.