A SEAL to Save Her (9 page)

She huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, this isn't the most romantic setting.”

There was another long pause before Dex released a heavy sigh and spoke. “I don't want you to think I'm not taking this seriously. I am. There is attraction here, I can't deny that. I think you're beautiful, strong and competent. We should keep our eyes on the ball. Getting back to DC and figuring out who's threatening you needs to be our priority.”

Her face was so open and vulnerable his heart pulsed hard. “I have my own reservations, Dex. I know that it's not a betrayal because my husband is dead, but I'm just not ready for anything like this. I can't handle it.”

Her honesty made his heart roll over and his chest clog up. Feeling as if he might turn inside out at any minute, he hadn't expected this attraction; that, he was honest about. “I think you can handle anything,” he said huskily, feeling like a first-class bastard. Inhaling heavily, he said, “But we'll figure this out together. Deal?”

She nodded and met his gaze with so much gratitude in her eyes it nearly broke his heart. “I'd rather work with you than have you pissed at me. It's not a good look on you.”

“I thought I explained that. I wasn't pissed at you.”

“Felt that way, but I get it. I understand.”

“Let's move on. We can agree on that?”

“Yes. We can.”

“
Hoo-rah
, that's something. Now why don't you tell me who could be behind the attempt on your life? Who would go to these lengths to try to kill you?”

“I can't imagine I'm that important enough to send a hit squad after me.”

“Are you sure there's nothing that comes to mind? Anything, even if it's small.”

“Other than my terrible car accident, I am trying to get a bill passed. It could be damaging to corporations... Wait, I had a break-in after Brad died. A window was broken.”

“Was anything missing?”

“No, not that I could find?”

“You have opposition on this bill?”

“Yes, Senator Robert Mullins from New York and he's been pushing me, then threatening me, not to go through with the legislation. It's the only business I have to complete for Brad. My term ends in three months. It takes a lot of effort to get a bill through the Senate and then through Congress, especially one like this, but I'm close to victory.”

“New York, huh?” Dex rubbed his hand over his stubble. “That means Wall Street. Could he be simply protecting his constituents, or does he have a shady deal going?”

“I have no clue. I don't really know that much about him and his business or his dealings. Really, like I said, I'm a lame-duck senator with no pull. I think most people just feel sorry for me because I lost Brad and my baby.”

“He's going to the top of our list. We need to figure out how to get back to DC.”

“I think I have a plan for that.”

“Okay, shoot.” He was starting to feel uncomfortable, but resisted taking the meds until they were finished talking about these important issues.

“I still have my purse and all my IDs, including my credit cards and passport. Blessing is going to be here tomorrow to take us to Kabul and I can charter us a jet home. You have Agent Hatch's ID, but you shouldn't need it. All my personnel have already been cleared. It should be just a matter of getting on the plane and flying back.”

“That will work.”

“Don't you think you should contact your commanding officer at least? Let him know you're safe and you're helping me?”

Afsana came into the room carrying two dishes, interrupting them. “Let's try some solid food, Dex, if you think you're up to it.”

He realized he was starving and took the plate. She was serving them
mantu
—dumplings filled with onion and lamb—steamed and topped with a tomato-based sauce, and
qoroot
, a dip that was a mixture of yogurt, garlic and split chickpeas. It smelled heavenly. He forked up a dumpling and savored the bite, rolling his eyes. “Delicious, Afsana. You are an excellent cook.”

“I agree. Could I get the recipe for these and for the kebab you made the other day and that...qor?”

“Qorma Lawand?”

“Yes, that's it. It was to die for, Dex.”

“I've had it. Onion-based with yogurt, turmeric and cilantro and chicken.”

“I'll let you get back to your discussion. I'll be back for the plates. I'm so glad to see you looking better than when you arrived, Dexter.”

“Thank you for your hospitality again, Afsana. You and Raffi are our saviors.”

“It is our pleasure. Raffi wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you, Dex. He and I must go to our cousin's tonight like we planned, for the celebration of the birth of his second child, so we will say our goodbyes before we leave. I am so glad that you are both all right. If there is any way you could get word to us that you are safe in DC, we would be so grateful. Enjoy.”

Dexter picked up on the thread of the conversation. “No. I'm not risking a call to my commanding officer.”

“You don't trust him?”

“It's better to keep him and anyone out of the loop until we're sure you're safe. That means finding out who's behind this. Do you know anything about Agent Hatch?”

“No. I don't even know his first name. Hatch and Markam were assigned to me by DS and took me to the airport. I was told they had military training and could better protect me in Afghanistan. I didn't think anything of it. I've always trusted the DS.”

“Why wouldn't you? They're sworn to take a bullet for you, not to put one in you.”

“This is all so distressing. Edward must be going out of his mind with worry.”

“Speaking of that. Do you trust him? He knew you were going to Afghanistan.”

“Edward? Why would he want me dead?”

“Any family fortune issues, disagreements over property...anything like that?”

“No, nothing. We all got a fair share of the estate. Edward inherited the house, but I didn't want it and neither did Ty. He was more interested in becoming a SEAL and really didn't want the responsibility. It's a big mansion and it's drafty and costs a fortune to upkeep. I already have the home I bought with Brad, so no interest in that.”

“All right, so we eliminate Edward, and we have Senator Mullins and your potentially damaging legislation. Babe, people have killed for less.”

“It's hard to believe that he would jeopardize his standing that way and the fact that he's making a bid on the White House. He actually had the nerve to ask me for an introduction to one of Brad's hugest campaign contributors, Stephen Montgomery.”

“Montgomery? Not the billion-dollar tech mogul, CEO of the Montgomery Group?”

“That's him. I know he's famous, but I've known him since I was a child. He's an old family friend.”

“You do run in some rich circles.”

“Oh, Dex. I am rich, filthy rich. Brad had a fortune he left to me. I have more money than I know what to do with. Someday I'm going to figure out how I can use it to help people.”

This woman had a way of blindsiding him. She rattled off that she was rich and no way would he have ever guessed from the way she handled herself that she was a blue blood. But it was clear from the way Ty had described his family that they were wealthy.

“So, Blessing said she'd be back tomorrow. We should get some sleep and be ready to travel.”

“How is your wound and your fever?” Instead of waiting for him to answer, she pressed her palm against his forehead, displacing his hair, then slid all that softness down his temple over his rough cheek. “Oh, that is much better.”

He was doing everything in his power to keep his hands off her and here she was touching him. Unable to move, feeling as if someone had dropped a boulder on his chest, he tipped his head back and swallowed hard. He knew he would relive all these moments with her thousands of times in his mind. If he lived to be a hundred, he would never forget her.

His jaw locked and she stiffened, realizing what she had done. She went to pull away and he grabbed her wrist.

“I know what we agreed. But you are still sleeping right here with me.”

Hell, that would cost him. He'd really need those pain pills tonight.

Chapter 8

Kabul,
Parwan Province, Afghanistan

A
ustin woke up when the military plane touched down on Kabul's runway. Derrick was already awake, and Austin wondered if the guy ever slept. Normally, Derrick looked like a shrewd, elegant spy, an American 007—the kind of guy you didn't want to piss off. But in combat gear he looked different...dangerous and deadly. For the hundredth time, Austin wondered what Derrick had done before he'd become an agent.

Austin sent his hands through his messy blond locks and stretched. Derrick looked pensive, like he was rolling something over in his head.

“What's going on over there?”

“Follow me on this. According to Kaczewski's brother, Russell—”

“Wait. When did you talk to him?”

“Just now, when you were visiting the back of your eyelids.”

“Ah. Continue.”

“Russell tells me that Jones's brother Tyler is tight with Dexter.”

“Yeah, so.”

“So, I figure Senator Jones and the SEAL had to have met at Heathe. Probable?”

“I'd say.”

“According to his record, Kaczewski is a Boy Scout. Odds are he headed right for Jones the minute something went down. Hatch was killed dressed as an insurgent. Could be he dressed that way to throw them off and protect the senator?”

“What's the alternative?”

“I don't know at this point, but no one's come forward with any type of ransom or claiming responsibility, yet the SEAL and the senator are gone.”

“You think they're still alive? On the run?”

“If that's the case, what are they running from and why haven't they checked in?”

“Good question.”

“If you were a wounded navy SEAL and your best friend's sister was in danger, what would you do?”

“Take out anyone threatening her, haul ass and lay low. Try to find out who's trying to kill her.”

“Exactly. Markam is in the wind.”

“That's my guess. No body. He could be with them. Let's get settled and get your computer up and running and do a little digging. We find Markam, we get answers.”

Hours later, Austin was propped on the hotel room bed and Derrick was on the other one, both busily clicking on their computers. Austin had been digging up information on Markam since they hit the hotel room. “These guys are clean as a whistle. Who assigned them to Jones?” Austin growled.

“I talked to the duty guy. He said Jones's brother Edward made the request,” Derrick said.

“I talked to Edward and he said he requested his uncle pull strings to get Piper to Afghanistan to see their wounded brother, but doesn't know anything about a request for a special detail for his sister,” Austin said.

“It makes sense they would want agents with military background. What branch of the service were they in and what did they do?”

Austin brought up both files. “Markam was a marine, and he was stationed at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters out of Kabul, working as a liaison to...security forces.”

“Fancy that. What security forces?”

“Just a general statement in his record.”

“How about that security company, Outcast?”

Austin brought up a list of security contractors working with the government during the time Markam was a marine. “It's on the list.”

“We have a dead Outcast member involved in that SEAL ambush. That's a connection. I say we go have a word with Outcast.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

They caught a cab outside the hotel and were soon at the Outcast offices. Once inside the lobby, they stopped at the desk.

“Can I help you?” the receptionist, a brunette with black-rimmed glasses, said.

“Special Agents Beck and Gunn, NCIS. We're looking to talk to Carl Kruger about a marine that might have worked with you guys about six years ago. Name's Raoul Markam.”

“Just a moment.” She got on the phone and within ten minutes someone showed up. “Hello, I'm Ted White, here to escort you. I'm the co-owner.”

They followed the guy up the elevator and into a hallway filled with offices and people busy working. He took them to a door at the end. Ted opened the door and ushered them inside, closing the door behind them.

A man sat behind the desk with salt-and-pepper hair; cold, wintery blue eyes regarded them. He rose. “Special Agents Beck and Gunn. Welcome to Outcast, gentlemen. Have a seat.”

They strode forward and settled in the two chairs in front of the desk. “What can I do for you?”

“We're working a case that involves Raoul Markam.” Derrick pulled a picture up on his phone and showed Carl. “Do you know him?”

Carl shook his head. “No, I'm sorry. What's this about?”

“We're not at liberty to say, sir, but we have reason to believe that he may be involved in a kidnapping and murder.”

Carl looked surprised and shocked. “How is he tied to Outcast?”

“He was a marine six years ago and worked as liaison to security.”

“I see. We worked with a lot of people back when the war was in full swing, but I don't know him.”

“How about Timothy Hatch?” Derrick showed him his picture.

“No.”

“How about Martin Carter?” Derrick held the phone up with the picture of the dead man.

Carl's lips thinned and he blinked several times. “Yes, I do know him.”

“He's employed by you?”

His voice and face were perfectly neutral, but Austin saw his eyes dart. He was lying. “No, not anymore. I terminated him about three weeks ago. I understand he was killed by SEALs during an attack.”

“That's correct. A top-secret SEAL mission, as a matter of fact. We would like his employment records.” It was clear Derrick was not asking.

Carl nodded. “Of course, I'll get those for you.”

With Carter's records on a flash drive, Austin and Derrick left the Outcast offices and hailed a cab.

“What do you think?” Austin asked.

“Just what you think.”

“Yeah, the guy's lying. I think he knows Markam.”

Derrick tapped his nose. “Exactly, and if he's not involved with him, why did he lie?”

“Bingo. Carter is involved with the SEAL team ambush, which tells me that Tyler Keighley might have been the initial target.”

“I think you got that part right,” Derrick said.

Austin's phone rang as the cab pulled up. “Beck.”

“Austin, Bagram is secure. You and Gunn can catch a helo there now,” Kai said.

“Yes, ma'am.” Austin told her where they were on the case. She told them to keep digging and to keep her posted. He hung up and told Derrick.

He had a gut feeling that he would have something for his boss very soon. They had pieces and all they had to do was fit them together.

And Austin was very good at puzzles.

Outcast Headquarters, Kabul,
Parwan Province, Afghanistan

Carl picked up the phone, fuming as it rang.

“Hello.” Ted had left after the NCIS agents did. He had a mission. “Ted?”

“Yeah, it's me,” he growled.

“You with Markam?”

“Yes, Carl. I found him.”

“Good. When you find that SEAL and the senator and kill them, dig a hole and bury them deep, and anyone helping them. Make sure those bodies are never found. And, Ted?”

“Yes.”

“Make sure Markam's body goes in before you cover them up.”

“What about the money?”

“We've gotten half, and this is heating up.” His voice was flat. “NCIS has already connected us to Carter and now Markam. If they nab him, he'll rat us out to save his own hide.” Carl enjoyed his cushy life way too much and he wanted to protect what he'd built. “His plan is to pretend that he got kidnapped by insurgents and escaped. I don't think the story that insurgents killed the senator and the SEAL will fly now that they've connected him to us. We're cutting our losses.”

“Yes, sir. You got it.”

Bagram Airfield,
Parwan Province, Afghanistan

Austin and Derrick climbed out of the helo once it set down on the runway at Bagram. Colonel Aazar Aziz, the Afghan commander, met them and turned them over to a guy who escorted them to Heathe. The place was in shambles with bodies laid out on the side and covered with sheets. Hatch's body had been flown out two days ago and was already being autopsied. NCIS tech Lara Comstock was busy analyzing the blood and the ballistics on the bullets that had killed Hatch.

“Special Agent Beck?” a female voice said, and he turned to find a dark-haired woman standing behind him. She reached out her hand. “Hello, I'm Christina Davis, and I was here when the insurgents attacked. I understand you need to talk to me.”

“Yes, thank you. Is there somewhere we can go that's private?”

“Sure, the nurses' break room.”

Once they were situated, Austin said, “Can you tell me what happened the night you were attacked?”

“I was just coming back from the runway after loading Petty Officer Keighley onto his flight for Landstuhl. The flight was early and I had to hustle to get him there. When I was walking back to Heathe, I saw them overrun the gate.”

“What did you do?”

“I tried to make it back to warn people, but I was too late. They were already coming through the front door. I managed to alert most of the nursing staff and we all barricaded ourselves into the supply room.”

“Did you see Agents Markam or Hatch?”

“No. I didn't.”

“How about Senator Jones and Lieutenant Kaczewski?”

“No. Senator Jones was sleeping in a room just off the front doors. She was waiting for a military transport back to the States. Lieutenant Kaczewski was in the wing over from this one. He was the last of our patients and was flying to Walter Reed in the morning.”

“Did Senator Jones and Lieutenant Kaczewski speak?”

“They did more than that. He got out of bed and went to Petty Officer Keighley's room with her help.”

“So they had contact?”

“Yes, sir.”

Austin smiled. “Thank you for your time, Lieutenant Davis. We're glad you're okay.”

“They didn't seem to be interested in us. We were quite safe in the supply room. No one even came near the door.”

Austin's phone rang as soon as Christina left. “Beck, it's Lara.”

“What do you have for me, O-forensic-goddess?”

She chuckled. “The blood they found on the floor at Bagram. It's Lieutenant Kaczewski's and Agent Hatch's. Looks like they went at it.” She paused and he heard tapping. “I also did ballistics on the recovered gun and the bullets that killed Agent Hatch.”

“And?”

“The guy was killed with his own gun. One right through the heart. The two bullets in his head don't match anything on record.”

“That all you got?”

“Agent Beck, aren't I a goddess?” she said with pique.

“I thought I detected a smug tone to your voice. What is it?”

“I got prints off the grip and the barrel.”

“Who do they belong to?”

“That would be two whos.”

“Really?”

“Yup. Senator Piper Jones and Lieutenant Dexter Kaczewski.”

“No way?”

“Way. But Kaczewski's is only on the barrel of the gun. Senator Piper Jones is the one who pulled the trigger.”

After Austin related all this information to Derrick, he got back on his computer and started digging some more. As night transitioned to day, he and Derrick had a chance to look around outside. Just past the main gate and across the road, Derrick found some prints. Some small enough to be those of a woman. He also found dried blood.

“Looks like they hightailed it into the valley.”

“What's close to here?”

“Charikar is twelve miles from here, and there's a number of small villages all over this area.”

“All right, let me do more research on Lieutenant Kaczewski and see if I can unearth any clues while you start cataloging the villages. We can get an interpreter.”

“No need. I speak the language fluently.”

“Do you?”

Derrick looked across the expanse of wilderness and Austin knew they were working against the clock. It seemed to him that Senator Jones's protection detail had been compromised and she had not only killed one of the men who was supposed to be protecting her, but she was also supporting a wounded navy SEAL. They were running for their lives. Which begged the question: Who wanted Piper Jones dead enough to go through all these hoops to make it look like an insurgents' attack and why? Also, that SEAL ambush was all about Tyler Keighley. He was the bait to lure her here. Those marines didn't die in battle. They were casualties of a damn conspiracy to take out a US senator. Outcast was most likely involved, but who hired them? How far did this conspiracy go? All the way to the White House?

Safid Darreh,
Parwan Province, Afghanistan

Dex woke, his heart racing, as if something heavy was sitting on his chest. Like the walls were closing in on him. He was glad that Blessing would be here today to get them out. Once in Kabul, they could fly out of Afghanistan and back to DC to get to the bottom of this mess. The sooner he figured out who was trying to kill Piper, the sooner he could get the hell away from his best friend's sister.

It was still dark and he drifted off again, only to jerk out of a sound sleep. His fever was gone, but not the fever of wanting her. His heart was still pounding and his breathing heavy, as if he'd been running with the dream still fresh in his mind. It might have been created from the meds in his system, the wild kiss they shared yesterday and the fact that he was hot for her. But it had seemed so real; his whole body throbbed with a heavy, pulsating ache—one that left him with a hard-on and a fierce emptiness when he woke up.

It was bad enough that Piper infiltrated his waking thoughts, but now she had also infiltrated his dreams. Sweet, sensual dreams, hot, erotic dreams, that left him so shaken, so achy, he was twisted the hell up inside.