Delta Salvation (Phantom Force, Book 1) (4 page)

So many, but she held her tongue. Her little Honda sat out front, looking as it had when she’d purchased it. A large African American man stood behind it, with another dark skinned man with piercing green eyes. They both looked scary, neither smiling.

The darker of the two motioned her over. “I’ve filled your tank, put new tires on, and checked all your other fluids. You’re all ready to go.” His deep voice went with his dark looks, but then he smiled. Damn, did all the men in the group come from some GQ issue?

“Hey, I helped.” The green eyed one winked, handing her the keys. “I also cleaned out the trash. You really shouldn’t eat all that junk food.” He eyed her up and down. “Although, it clearly isn’t bad for your body.

“Sully, Coyle, quit fucking with her.” Kai’s hands landed on her shoulders.

“It’s like that is it?”

Alexa looked from the dark men to Kai standing too close to her. “Thank you for doing all that for me.” She stepped away from the big man who made her feel too much.

“Not a problem. Call me Coyle.”

Were they really just going to let her go? “Thank you I think. I mean thank you.” Sliding into the seat, she had to adjust the controls to reach the gas and brake. “You didn’t give me my phone back.” She looked out the open passenger window toward where Kai stood glaring.

“It was broken. I believe Tay replaced it with another.” He didn’t take his eyes off hers. “He made sure they had the same number in case you had given it to a friend.”

Heat crawled up her face. “Thanks.” Coyle stood with his body between the door frame, preventing her from closing it. Any minute, she expected one of them to put a bullet in her, but she didn’t know why. Inserting the key into the ignition, she started the vehicle, hoping they’d get the hint and move back. “I guess this is goodbye.” Her arm stretched out, brushing Coyle’s leg.

He banged the top of her car. “Take care, sweets. Don’t get in over your head with the baddies.” Coyle shut her door.

Ha, she had a feeling they were every bit as bad, if they chose to be.

“Coyle.”

She heard the warning in the leaders rumbling voice, and almost felt sorry for Coyle.

“Buckle up for safety.”

“For fucks sake, I think the woman knows how to take care of herself.”

“You think?” Coyle asked, pointedly looking around the compound grounds.

Alexa had enough, snapping the seatbelt in place, because yes she knew it was smart, then she put the car in gear. An insane urge to look in her rearview mirror drew her gaze, but she found herself disappointed to find all three men had disappeared back inside the building. “What did you expect them to do? Wave until the dust settled like you were a loved one leaving?” She snorted, then turned the radio up, glad her CD was still inside and seemed to work. Hearing the familiar sound of Metallica blaring through the speakers made her feel almost normal.

The past couple of weeks came back as she pulled into the town of Rapid City, only a half hour had passed. The address of her new apartment was typed on the top of the paper they’d given her, along with her new job information. “It won’t hurt to drive by and take a look at the place.” Then she’d give Marley a call and see if the other place was still available. Her mind made up, she was surprised to find the expensive looking building. She double checked the address, then pulled under the canopy. A uniformed man came out, startling her so much she almost ran over him. Geez, get it together.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know if I’m in the right place.” She showed him the paper with the address on top.

“Good evening, Ms. Gordon. We were told to expect you. Do you need help with your luggage?” He stood straight, peering into the back window.

“Um, no. I think I’ll just take stock and see what I need to get at the store.” It was a half-truth.

He inclined his head, then made to open her door. “If you’ll allow me I will park your car for you.”

Panic made her grip the steering wheel. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be inside. I’ll just leave it on the street.”

“That’s no problem. I’ll just leave it over there.” He indicated a small alcove where other vehicles were.

Releasing her death grip on the wheel, she grabbed her purse, stuffing the papers inside along with the cell phone. Once she was out, she reached into the back and grabbed her bag. “Thank you.”

Again, he tilted his head, waiting for something. Alexa didn’t have any cash and felt inferior. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any money for a tip,” she blurted.

A smile split his somber face. “It’s not necessary, miss. I just need you to give me the keys.”

She slapped her forehead. Her first instinct had been to keep all her belongings on her person. Digging the keys back out of her bag, she handed them over. “Sorry.”

“Not a problem. The front desk will need to clear you before you can get inside. It’s protocol.”

She liked the level of security, but with Danny more than likely no longer on this earth, she didn’t think she needed it. However, she wasn’t about to tell him that.

“I won’t be long.” She figured it would be easier to change her mind and park her car, than to ask them to fetch it.

Inside was every bit as nice as the outside. Surely she had fallen and was now in a coma. She stared around the gleaming foyer with the leather furniture placed for guests to wait or whatever the rich did. A coffee station she’d only seen in restaurants sat in one corner, along with a multitude of snacks. What the hell? Did they feed the wealthy who came to visit or what? She had no clue if that was normal, but the huge stone fireplace drew her eyes. She always wanted one, especially growing up in Chicago and its cold winters.

“You must be Alexa.” A tall gorgeous man sauntered over, his voice like smooth velvet.

Alexa held her breath. No way did she fit into this world. His suit alone looked like it cost more than her five thousand dollar used car. “That’s me,” she said over brightly.

“My name is JoJo. I’m the manager of the Peltier Building. Let me show you to your apartment. How was your trip? I bet you are exhausted after such a long drive. Chicago,” he sighed. “The Windy City. I’ve never been there, but my fiancé has. He’s a dancer and singer and travels everywhere.” He winked at her. “Now, don’t get upset. I know I’m dashing, but alas, we just celebrated our two year anniversary.”

Instantly, she knew she would like JoJo. He was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen, built like a god, and he had zero interest in women. Yes, he was perfect. “Dang, my seduction plans are foiled again.” She smiled for the first time in what seemed forever.

****

“S
ee, I told you. She is going to be fine. Now, can we get our heads out of our asses?” Sully crossed his arms over his chest.

Kai kicked Sully’s feet off the desk. “The only head up anyone’s ass is gonna be yours, up your own if you don’t shut it.” He narrowed his eyes as he watched Alexa smile up at the operative Joe. He wondered what the Casanova had said that made her smile.

Oz snickered. “Dude, you got it for the little brunette or what?”

“She’s not a brunette. Her hair is like dark silk, almost black.” He wished he could call the words back, but he realized too late his friends wouldn’t let him.

“So it’s like that?” Coyle asked.

Tay cleared his throat. “Don’t matter. She’s safe. We got eyes and ears on her. Now, we have to move out, boys. I’ve got a lock on Tyler. Or at least where he was two days ago. Seems he had a heads up that something was about to go down, and scatted before the shit hit the fan here.” Video feed showed a man resembling their old friend crossing the border.

“What identification did he use to cross over?” Kai used the mouse, enlarging the screen.

Kai wasn’t convinced Jase Tyler had actually left the country. Something didn’t feel right.

“Your gut telling you it’s not him?” Sully spoke up.

“Doesn’t seem right. Why would he purposefully go where he knows the government has eyes? Where he knows software has face recognition?”

“Maybe he got stupid, or bit by one of the wild wolves here?” Oz didn’t sound convinced.

“Let’s load it up, boys. I see our future will be in a little Cantina not far from the border.” Kai leaned down, taking one last look at the image on the screen.

Tay waited, and then he packed up the computer. They’d leave a contingent of men behind, cleaning up and clearing out any signs of what was here.

He walked out and found Rowan Shade leaning on the side of his pickup. “How’s it going?”

“Can’t complain.” His former team leader grinned.

“I’m assuming you’re not here for a social visit, nor are you wanting to come back to the team, as much as I’d like the former.”

“You always were a straight shooter. This place is not government property my friend. I own it and all the acreage around it.” He held his hand up.

Kai whistled through his teeth. “How’d you manage this or do I want to know?”

Rowan’s deep chuckle was his answer.

“Not sure if the higher ups are gonna like this.”

Broad shoulders encased in a black ripped tank shrugged. “Trust and believe, brother, they don’t want to fuck with what’s mine. Kellen Styles has more than enough to make sure none of them want to come sniffing around him and his. Besides, the Commander owes me. I’ve already called in a few markers. You know I don’t just leave things to fall into place.”

Shit! When Rowan got that freaky look on his face, Kai knew it was time to accept it was a done deal. “So, is everyone to move out and leave you and your boys to take over or what?”

“I’d appreciate you taking out the trash when you move out.” He indicated all the military vehicles. “You know this was a covert ops, so nobody truly knew you were here. It’s a matter of loading up and moving out. I’ve handled everything else. The people that were here you’ve cleared as
other
, they’re mine. Kellen, Xan and I will handle them accordingly.”

“There was a man who came up missing. His truck is in the back shed. Can one of you tell me where he’s located?” Kai tapped his nose.

Rowan laughed. “You want me to be your hound dog?”

“Something like that. I need to know that the woman he’s beaten and terrorized is safe.”

Blue eyes blazed. “Show me where it’s at.”

Just like that, Rowan became the soldier Kai knew. Of course, he may be following Kai, but Rowan Shade would always be the leader, even when he was no longer in charge. He proved it by sidestepping Kai, and heading straight to the back of the building. “Which vehicle?” His voice had gone deeper.

They both moved toward the truck he indicated. His old friend walked around, opening the door and then shutting it back after a minute. “Give me a half hour or so. I’ll let you know. Watch my truck.”

Staring at Rowan’s retreating form, Kai looked into the truck wondering what Rowan was able to find they didn’t.

“He’s still Phantom Force even if he’s retired. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL,” Sully said.

Kai hadn’t heard him come in, but wasn’t surprised. They were more than that, even though technically the government used them on missions most teams weren’t sent on. They were ghosts. Phantom Force was sent in when shit needed to be done, no questions asked, and lines crossed the big dogs didn’t want to know about.

“What’s Shade doing?” Sully nodded at the retreating form.

“He’s going to snoop around and see if the owner of this rig is still among the living.”

Being a smart man, Sully didn’t say a word.

“He also informed me we are on his property. Has all the official paperwork to prove it and everything.” They exited the building, the sunset almost looking majestic.

“Yeah, Tay said he has some email correspondence. I guess that means we ain’t got no reason to stick around.”

“Nope. None whatsoever,” he agreed. The need to follow Alexa and make sure she settled in burned in his gut.

“You know all you gotta do is make a phone call to find out how the girl is doing.” Sully’s unblinking green eyes unnerved him.

“Let’s focus on the job at hand, brother.”

“We following the lead into Mexico?” Coyle stood with his hands behind his back.

Kai rubbed the back of his neck, an itch he couldn’t shake as if he was missing a vital piece of information. “As soon as Rowan comes back, we’ll head down for a little recon.”

Oz stepped up next to Coyle. “I’ll buy the first round of tequila, and no, we are not chasing it with cotton candy. That shit will kill you.” He glared at Tay who walked out of the barrack.

“Hey, that’s the only way to drink that rot gut shit.” Tay lifted his middle finger.

Holding up his hand, they all turned as one, watching Rowan stride out of the woods dressed in a pair of jeans with his shirt held in his hands. “You can rest at ease. That boy won’t be bothering anyone, let alone your girl ever again.” He lifted a piece of torn fabric. “This was what’s left of his shirt. I can lead you to where I found it, but you won’t find much else.”

That was what he’d figured, having it confirmed eased a knot around his stomach. One less thing for him to worry about. “I appreciate you coming out and doing your thing, Rowan.”

“Hey, we’ll always be brothers.” Rowan held his hand out, pulling Kai in for a hug.

Kai grunted, realizing his buddy was a whole hell of a lot stronger than ever. “You keep eating those Wheaties, and you’ll be flipping trucks.”

Rowan grunted. “I need to get back to Lyric. You need me, or any of the Iron Wolves, you give me a holler.” With that, Rowan strolled away.

They waited till his taillights disappeared, then turned as one to Kai. “Let’s roll out. I want to be in a dirty town by morning.” It was the last place he wanted to be, but a necessary evil.

A chorus of Hoorahs echoed in the still night, making Kai grin.

“Whose idea was it to come here again,” Oz asked.

“I think we were following some asshole, and one of you, not pointing any fingers, thought it was a good idea to have a drink. If my memory serves me correctly, someone said something about tequila and women.” Kai leaned back in his chair, keeping his eyes and ears open. They’d been in the little tavern for over an hour, pretending to drink and joke around. The waitress and bartender kept looking at them as if they were bombs ready to blow, which wasn’t too far off the mark. His neck tingled, an inner warning Kai never ignored.