Chapter Fourteen
C orey made them a delicious breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes with homemade whipped cream and perfectly-crisp bacon, while Sera only trusted herself to brew the coffee. Or, in this case, pop the k-cups into the little machine on the counter.
He didn’t mention her nightmare again, and she was grateful. She’d shown enough weakness and vulnerability. Besides, there was more to her than the tragedy she’d lived through, and she wanted him to see more than just her darkness.
Her attention moved to the wolf who sat beside Corey’s chair. Every once in a while, his master tossed him a piece of bacon and Storm caught it midair.
“He’s very loyal to you,” Sera said, observing the way the creature stared at his master, rarely leaving his side. “He knows you saved him.”
“He saved me, too,” Corey said in a low voice. She waited for him to offer more information, but he just shrugged. “It can get lonely up here. He’s great company.”
Corey petted the wolf’s head, scratching behind his ear, and Storm thumped his back foot. Sera chuckled, enjoying their interaction.
“Loki is my best friend, too,” she told him. “Have you ever had a cat?”
“Not as a pet, but I used to feed the stray cats that wandered around the base.”
“That was nice of you.”
“It wasn’t their fault people dumped them. Animals are a gift. They love unconditionally and they don’t judge. Hell, they love you more than themselves. Can’t say that about humans.”
“No, you can’t,” she agreed. “No matter how bad things get, Loki always makes me smile. He’s been there for me in a way no one else has. I know some people think that’s silly and don’t understand.”
“I understand,” he murmured. “Perfectly.”
He grabbed Storm’s big head and planted a kiss between his amber eyes.
“Give me a kiss and tell me you love me,” he said, and Storm licked his face. Corey chuckled and she saw pure joy on his face. They truly made a beautiful duo, the deep roots of their bond stunningly evident.
A soft buzzing filled the air, and Corey reached for the vibrating phone near his elbow.
While he read the text, she took a moment to admire his hands.
Some women liked abs, others went gaga for forearms, but she’d always appreciated a man with nice hands.
And Corey’s big, strong hands made her insides quiver.
They looked quite capable, and her stomach twirled when she imagined what they might feel like caressing her naked skin.
“It’s Brand,” he informed her, completely oblivious to her sexy thoughts. “We’ve got a call with Mitch in an hour.”
“That’s Julia’s dad?”
He nodded. “Yeah, so we better get ready and head out because no one makes the General wait.”
◆◆◆
Sera got her first look at the illustrious General Mitchell Evans exactly one hour later. They’re certainly prompt, she thought, as she sat beside Corey at the corner table in Old Glory with the rest of his team. The fire crackled at her back, giving the bar a cozy feel, and Brandon introduced her.
“Chief, this is Sera Darling. Sera, General Mitchell Evans.”
The distinguished-looking man on Wes’s laptop screen oozed confidence and authority. He possessed keen brown eyes below dark brows and a head full of thick, silvered hair.
Wasting no time on pleasantries, he got straight to the point. “I found out some interesting things about your former employer, Ms. Darling. Specifically, how they seem to be connected to the Lazaro Cartel. Not my favorite group,” Mitch added dryly.
Across the table, Xander Hawke sat up straighter.
He was an extremely attractive man, younger than the others, with an aloof air that she found a little intimidating.
He’d been lounging back in his chair, the picture of moody nonchalance, but the moment Mitch mentioned the Lazaro Cartel, he perked up.
“Connected how?” Xander asked, leaning forward, blue eyes intense.
“The CIA thinks J&J Shipping is involved with the drone-piloted subs the cartel has been using to ship drugs,” Mitch explained. “They believe the Lazaro Cartel is docking there and using the warehouse to store their product until it’s sent out to be sold.”
Sera’s head spun. Joel and Jeremy were working with a cartel?
“I thought we’d knocked the Lazaro Cartel off its throne,” Chaz said.
“And helped shift power over to the Villareal Cartel,” Wes added.
Chaz smirked. “Hell, Hawke even left with a souvenir.”
“If I recall correctly, we both cut a finger off the fucker,” Xander replied easily. He possessed a slight East Coast accent, and Sera wondered where he was from originally. Maybe Boston? New York?
“Yeah, but I didn’t wear mine around my neck like Leatherface.”
Xander narrowed his eyes, lifting his middle finger. Sera had no idea what they were talking about, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know any further details.
“Do you still have the digit, Hawke?” Mitch asked.
“What?” The question seemed to catch him by surprise, but he schooled his features into a cool look.
Everyone was staring at him, obviously not sure how he’d answer.
“No, of course not,” he finally said in a flat voice, but Sera wasn’t so sure.
“No need to worry then,” Mitch stated.
“I’m not worried about Hawke’s sanity,” Lex said, his tone suggesting otherwise. “But I don’t think I want to test that theory and be alone in a dark alley with you, either.”
“Fuck the fuck off,” Xander grumbled. “Can we please get back on track?”
“When we went down to Tierra Caliente and rescued Julia, Hawke killed Fernando Lazaro,” Brand said. “Who’s running the operation now?”
Mitch’s brown eyes sharpened. “The latest intel received confirms the Lazaro Cartel’s second-in-command—a dangerous man named José Barrera—is rallying the troops, determined to regain their previous position of power among the Mexican cartels and beyond.”
“Motherfucker,” Xander seethed.
Sera’s attention shifted back to him, watching as he touched the gold cross hanging around his neck. Something about his tone and posture gave her the impression Xander had a deeper, more personal interest in the Lazaro Cartel than the others.
Maybe she was reading into it—because what did she know? She barely knew the man.
“So, what’s the plan?” Brand asked. “What does the CIA want us to do?”
“Fly to San Diego and see what J&J Shipping is up to. More specifically, see if you can find proof of their involvement with the Lazaro Cartel,” Mitch said.
“Don’t forget about Sera,” Corey reminded the group. “Someone—most likely this Joel guy—sent men after her. They need to be stopped.”
“That part isn’t CIA sanctioned,” Mitch said carefully. “But if Joel Largemont killed his partner and Sera is a witness, he’s going down one way or the other.”
“I think someone should stay with Sera,” Corey said.
She turned to Corey. “But I want to go with you.”
“No,” he said. “It’s too dangerous.”
She huffed out an annoyed breath. “But I can help.”
She wanted to convince them she’d be worth taking along since she knew the business and warehouse layout so well, but she had a feeling it would be pointless to go up against these men. The fierce, formidable and protective look in all of their eyes assured her they wouldn’t relent.
Stubborn silver foxes. Trying to convince them to change their minds would be a waste of her breath. Especially when she locked eyes with Corey and he shook his head.
“You’ll be most helpful staying here, out of harm’s way,” Corey said, his voice turning gentle. “But any intel you want to provide about Joel or the warehouse and docks would be much appreciated.”
His kind tone made her feel better, made her realize they weren’t just brushing her off. Her safety was his utmost priority. “Okay,” she relented. The last thing she wanted to do was get in their way.
“I think it’s time I pay my daughter a visit,” Mitch stated. “Sera, why don’t you stay with Julia, too?”
“That’s a good idea,” Brand said.
“What about Loki?” Sera wouldn’t leave her cat, and not even one of these overbearing, big-muscled, gun-toting alpha males could make her do it.
“Who’s Loki?” Julia asked.
“My cat,” Sera answered. “And what about Storm?”
“I have accommodations set up for him. He’ll be fine. But Furface and I appreciate your concern.” Corey sent her an appreciative smile, and she had a feeling no one had ever asked about the wolf’s well-being before.
“You can bring your cat here,” Julia offered. “We don’t mind, do we, Brand?”
“As long as you keep him upstairs so he can’t sneak outside with customers coming in and out, sure. But the wolf can stay at Corey’s,” he added.
Corey leaned closer to Sera, his light blue eyes flashing in amusement. “Because Brand is scared of him.”
“You’re damn right I am,” Brand stated without hesitation. “He looks at me like I’m a steak.”
Corey chuckled. “He does enjoy steak.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Lex said. “And I bet he’s especially partial to raw meat and former military men.”
They laughed, and then Mitch signed off, telling them he’d see them soon.
The attention turned to Sera, and Corey asked, “What can you tell us about J&J Shipping?”
“A lot. Anything you need to know about my former boss and the company.”
“Great,” Brand said. “Take notes, Murph.”
While Wes opened a new document on his laptop, the team began peppering her with questions, and Sera revealed everything that she thought might help them on their mission.