5. Rook #2
Despite everything, Rook almost laughed.
Reef’s expression grew serious again.
“I retired eleven months before the ambush. Falcon left three months after me. Shark transferred to private maritime security. Maverick took an instructor position. Cobra disappeared into demolition work that probably violates laws in several countries.”
“They weren’t on the mountain,” Rook said.
“No.”
“But they knew everyone who was.”
Reef looked toward the memorial table.
“I served with Hammer for seven years. Ghost saved my life in Yemen. Viking was my best friend.”
His voice faltered at the last word.
Only slightly.
But Rook heard it.
“Tex taught me how to fish. Ridge carried me three miles after I was shot. Bishop trained every one of us.”
Reef faced him.
“They weren’t only your brothers.”
The words landed hard.
Rook had been carrying the dead as though they belonged to him alone.
They didn’t.
Six families had buried them.
Dozens of operators had fought beside them.
Hundreds of people had loved them.
Reef walked toward the memorial table.
He stopped in front of Hammer’s photograph and picked up the challenge coin.
His thumb moved over the engraving.
“They deserved better.”
Nobody answered.
Because they had.
Reef returned the coin to its place.
Exactly where it belonged.
Then he turned toward Rook.
“What happened?”
The mountain flashed through Rook’s mind.
Gunfire.
Fire.
Blood.
Viking’s final stand.
“We were betrayed.”
“I figured that much.”
“Someone gave the enemy our complete mission package. They knew every route, every frequency, and every contingency.”
“How many fighters?”
“Hundreds.”
Reef’s jaw clenched.
“They built an army to kill nine men.”
“Yes.”
“And the woman with the silver sword?”
“We don’t know who she is.”
“She knew you survived.”
“She’s the reason we survived.”
Reef looked at the envelope.
“She pulled you off the mountain?”
“We believe so.”
“And now she’s recruiting for you?”
Rook didn’t like the sound of that.
“No one recruits for me.”
Reef lifted one eyebrow.
“She brought me here.”
“She pointed you toward the warehouse. That doesn’t make you part of Shadow Division.”
“Shadow Division?”
Sniper nodded toward the room. “We have a name.”
“Do you have matching shirts?”
“Fathom voted against them.”
“They were ugly,” Fathom said.
Reef looked back at Rook.
“What do I have to do?”
“Go home.”
“No.”
“You don’t know what you’re volunteering for.”
“I know six of my brothers were murdered.”
“You retired.”
“I didn’t forget how to fight.”
“If you join us, you disappear. No contact with your old command. No explaining this to friends. No telling anyone we survived.”
“I understand.”
“You become a target.”
Reef held his gaze.
“I became a target the moment somebody put that envelope on my boat.”
Rook couldn’t argue with that.
But trust had led nine men onto a mountain.
History wouldn’t be enough.
Friendship wouldn’t be enough.
Not anymore.
“I’ll verify everything you told us,” Rook said.
“You should.”
“Fathom will examine every call, transaction, and movement you’ve made since retirement.”
“Have fun.”
Sniper folded his arms. “He’ll know things you’ve forgotten.”
“That sounds unhealthy.”
“It is.”
“And until we clear you,” Rook continued, “you don’t touch our systems, carry one of our weapons, or leave this warehouse without someone beside you.”
Reef nodded.
No offense.
No argument.
That was one reason Rook had always trusted him.
Reef understood security.
“What happens after I’m cleared?”
Rook looked toward the seven suspects.
“Then you help us find the people who killed our brothers.”
Reef extended his hand.
Rook stared at it.
Eleven months earlier, Reef had left the team for the last time. Hammer had drenched him with beer. Viking had delivered a retirement speech so offensive that Bishop threatened to throw him through a window.
Tex had given Reef a fishing rod for his son.
All six men had been alive.
Now Reef was standing inside an Alaskan warehouse asking for a chance to avenge them.
Rook clasped his hand.
“Welcome to Shadow Division.”
Reef’s grip tightened.
“I need to tell you one more thing.”
Rook released him. “What?”
“I’m not the only one who received an envelope.”
The warehouse went quiet.
“Who else?” Sniper asked.
“Falcon.”
Reef paused.
“Shark, Maverick, and Cobra too.”
Five former members of Rook’s team.
Five dangerous men.
Five brothers who had known everyone buried beneath those headstones.
Rook looked at the silver sword drawn across the envelope.
The mystery woman wasn’t simply helping them survive.
She was rebuilding his team.
“Where are they?” Rook asked.
Reef’s mouth curved.
“Waiting for my call.”
Rook looked toward Fathom.
“Check them.”
“Already started.”
Reef blinked. “How?”
Fathom continued typing.
“You gave me their names thirty seconds ago. Try to keep up.”
For the first time in six months, a real smile touched Rook’s face.
Small.
Dangerous.
Determined.
They had begun as three survivors hiding from the world.
Now they were becoming something else.
Something powerful.
Something the people behind the mountain would never see coming.
Outside, the storm continued.
Inside, Shadow Division was growing.