Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The girl was nuts. Certifiably crazy. Phoenix just wasn’t sure if he wanted to lecture her or sweep her into his arms and kiss her.
He chuckled. Definitely the latter. Only, he didn’t want to stop at simply kissing. He wanted her in his arms. Writhing. A flush coloring her skin, his name like a benediction from her lips. He wanted her pulsing around him, shattering into a thousand pieces.
But most of all, he wanted her to love him back.
Which made him as crazy as he claimed she was because love had never been part of the equation.
Never a consideration. He’d joined the Army in the hopes of getting settled enough that he could give Shawn a chance at a real life.
When he’d lost his brother to one of his father’s drunken rampages, Phoenix had devoted himself to the Teams. To keeping his other brothers alive.
No sacrifice was too great. No mission too risky.
Having Olivia continually risk her life for him...
It wasn’t as if his team hadn’t always had his back.
Weren’t willing to make the same sacrifices.
Phoenix had just orchestrated the variables enough that he was always the one guarding a retreat.
That he’d be their first and last line of defense.
It came hand-in-hand with being a sniper.
He provided his team’s overwatch. Eliminated any threat as they infiltrated an enemy stronghold.
Stayed until the last man had a clear path to the landing zone.
And he’d excelled at it. Had made peace with the fact he might have to be the one to die. The price of success. So, knowing Olivia had risked her own safety to come back for him and Gib—fucking trail behind them the entire way in case they got into trouble—had made him see red.
He’d distinctly outlined the mission—she got everyone else home, while he and Miller made sure no one interfered with that directive.
And she’d been amazing. Keeping the helicopter low.
Avoiding a lot of possible angles that could have presented her as a target.
And she’d navigated through the mountains, in increasingly bad weather, at night, without incident. All-in-all, a shining success.
Until she’d lifted off, again, and come looking for them.
Not that he’d had time to question her on it. Bishop had been ushering them all inside the moment they’d pulled up to his ranch. No opportunity to take Olivia aside. Ask her what she’d been thinking. Though, he already knew. That she’d claim she had every right to look out for them.
And fuck, she did have every right. Was part of the team. Just as skilled as any of them. More so in a lot of ways. But damn it, Phoenix didn’t have to like it.
Seeing Cannon and Crow walk into the room just as he and Gibson were kicking off their winter gear didn’t help Phoenix’s disposition any.
When Jericho and Devlyn followed behind.
.. Phoenix’s anxiety increased. Because the last thing he needed was more of his team at risk.
He hadn’t been able to stop Blackburn from dying.
From having to bear the responsibility that he’d been too late.
Should have insisted on being part of the security, regardless if Parker might have recognized him.
Another red stain on Phoenix’s humanity ledger. The one that was already overflowing. That no amount of good deeds might ever fix. Equal out.
Cannon must have recognized some kind of look on Phoenix’s face because he had that death vibe in full effect a moment later. Marched right up to Phoenix, lips pursed, eyes narrowed. Phoenix wasn’t sure if he should stare the man down or concede until Cannon chuckled and pulled him into a firm hug.
Cannon shook his head as he eased back. “Ya know, when I said this assignment was right up your alley, I didn’t expect you to take it to heart and try to get yourself killed.”
Phoenix straightened his sweater, more than aware he was the focus of everyone’s attention. “There weren’t any drones, so...”
Cannon laughed. Damn near had Phoenix drawing his pistol because other than a few times while recovering on Cannon’s couch, Phoenix hadn’t heard that sound. And it startled him as much as the first time.
A clap on his shoulder, then Cannon was stepping back. “Good to see you haven’t changed at all, kid. And apparently you lied, before.”
“I lied?”
“About losing your edge. You took out mercenaries at over three kilometers. Not to mention a helicopter crew with Bishop’s Havak. At what I’ve been told was another insane distance for that weapon. You’re just as freaky as ever.”
“Not quite freaky, enough, for Major Blackburn.”
“That’s not on you. No...” Cannon crossed his arms over his chest—seemed to increase that oppressive stare until Phoenix wondered if Bishop had done something to the available oxygen in the room.
“Blackburn knew the risks. Volunteered to go because he wanted Smyth as much as the rest of us. Sometimes, shit goes sideways, and nothing we do can change that. But... Let’s sit.
Because there’s a lot more going on here than an unofficial summit to procure black market weapons.
And I want to know who the hell is going to pay for putting my friends in the crosshairs. ”
“Wait...how did you all get here so fast?”
Cannon smiled—another creepy thing he’d rarely done before leaving the Teams but seemed the norm since Jericho—and pointed at Devlyn.
“Turns out, the NSA has a jet. After Bishop contacted me regarding Major Blackburn’s death, I called Admiral Hastings, who’d helped get Blackburn, Priest and the others assigned to the mission.
He notified NSA director Tom Smithers and with all the ancient history with Slader.
..Smithers offered their jet and their services. ”
Cannon looked pointedly at Devlyn. “As long as you stay out of the field.” He held up a hand.
“Sorry, Devlyn, I know it sucks. That your doctor hasn’t officially sidelined you, yet.
But this is different. Besides, you’re already busy with a much more important job.
So, you’re free to help us out, just stay clear of the bullets. ”
A huff, before her eyes widened, and she ran from the room. Hand over her mouth. Skin pale.
Crow sighed. “Who knew one tiny being could make someone puke ten hours a day. I’ll go see how she is. We can catch up, so...don’t wait.”
Olivia’s mouth hung open as she watched Crow leave. “Devlyn’s pregnant?”
Cannon nodded. Borderline beamed as he glanced at Jericho.
“Just finished her first trimester. But, she was vital in helping figure everything out, last time. That, and she’s stubborn as a damn mule.
Insisted on coming. Something about finishing what she started.
Although, having the NSA officially on board is a godsend.
Might keep us all out of jail. Crow will make sure she doesn’t push beyond what we agreed.
I don’t want these men anywhere close to her. ”
“Agreed. What about Ellis?”
“We thought it was prudent to keep her as far away as possible. Kam, too, since they’re both on that list. Not to mention how bad it would be if Smyth got his hands on either of them.
What he might get them to hack. But...we did bring a secret weapon with us.
One Smyth doesn’t know about. She’s just fiddling with Bishop’s internet connection.
Something about making it more secure. Upping the bandwidth. Hell, if I know. I’m just the muscle.”
“Aww, Cannon, you’re more than just the brawn.”
Phoenix glanced at the doorway, watching a curvy redhead move across the room.
She had a computer bag in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other.
Becca Tate. At least, that’s who he thought she was.
He hadn’t officially met her but had heard her name mentioned a lot.
How she’d been instrumental in decoding McCormick’s code key.
Had some back doors into a few key agencies that she could use to garner highly classified information when needed.
Like now. Because as far as Phoenix knew, they still hadn’t figured out how Parker, Smyth, or anyone else had discovered their presence at the retreat, let alone had been able to ambush him and Gibson on the drive up.
Knew when to launch an attack at Olivia in order to eliminate the rest of Phoenix’s crew.
The lady placed her bag on a table, glancing over at Olivia before smiling. She closed the distance, extending her hand. “You must be the infamous Anna Carmichael. You’re looking rather healthy for someone presumed dead.”
Olivia merely smiled. “It’s Olivia. Olivia Blake. And the rumors of my death...”
Becca laughed then nodded at Cannon. “I like her.”
Cannon snorted. “Of course, you do. It’s just the male species you have a dislike for.”
“Only the ones who think us ladies need saving.”
Olivia grinned. “You just described every man in here.”
“And here I thought you’d be nice because you’re British.
” Cannon moved over to them. “Becca, you know most of the players from before, and you’ve already met Bishop.
The guy leaning against the wall, still bleeding and most likely avoiding Brady like the damn plague, is Priest. And the kid over there is Phoenix. ”
Becca eyed him, and Phoenix couldn’t help but feel as if she found him lacking. “You’re the sniper. The one who nearly died saving Devlyn, Crow and Gibson.”
He nodded. Wasn’t sure what else to do.
She smiled. “Thanks for that. Well, for Devlyn, anyway.”
“No problem.”
Cannon motioned for everyone to take a seat.
“Relic’s out of commission for a while. Brady says he’ll be fine, but the last thing we need is another casualty.
So, he’ll be on protective duty around here once he’s back on his feet.
We’ll be spreading out a bit. Our non-field operatives will hang with Bishop.
The rest of us are borrowing a ranch not far from here.
Just in case others come looking. We’ll keep any potential firefights away from our home base.
Ice should be here tomorrow with Brady’s mobile clinic, then he’ll join us at the other ranch because I’m pretty damn sure we’ll need a PJ before this is over. ”
Cannon held a chair out for Jericho as everyone else settled in.
Phoenix opted for the spot next to Olivia, effectively blocking anyone else from sitting beside them on the small love seat.
Gibson chuckled as he pulled a chair up beside them, giving Phoenix a smug grin.
Phoenix flipped the guy the bird, focusing on Cannon when the man cleared his throat.
Cannon eyed the two of them, his gaze drifting to Olivia, then back.
A hint of a smile, like he’d planned everything from the start, then he leaned forward, placing his clasped hands on the top of the table.
“All right. While Becca’s organizing herself, let’s talk.
Gib, you seemed to think everything was a setup, and damn if it isn’t looking that way, so. ..spill.”
Gibson shrugged. “To be honest, I was leery from the moment they tracked us down on the sleds. No one should have known we were part of the crew, yet. Then, having them target Livy when she was carrying Priest and the others? She’d made a dozen trips that day, but those arseholes knew which flight had us on board. ”
Gib grinned at Phoenix. “If Vale wasn’t some freak of nature with a rifle, we’d have been dead before the summit started. Add to that, we weren’t able to get a single lead on Parker... When something smells that bad, it’s usually because it’s utter rubbish.”
He sighed. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have any proof. Vale and I looked, but other than some tracks that shouldn’t have been there... I just wish I’d figured it all out before they got to Blackburn. Complete cock-up.”
Cannon nodded. “Like I said. Missions go sideways. You three got everyone else out alive and have the wounds to show for it. And flying those mountains at night in that weather... Lady, you’re either incredibly skilled or as crazy as the rest of your team.
But thank you. I really don’t want to think what might have happened if you’d all had to hunker down there. ”
Olivia squirmed a bit when everyone focused on her. “Consider it a bit of payback for everything going tits up with Slader.”
“No payback necessary. Though, it’s got me thinking that we’re definitely missing out not having a pilot in our ranks. I can see how it could come in extremely handy.”
Olivia glanced at Phoenix, obviously wondering if she’d heard Cannon right. If he’d just offered her a job. He had. No doubt in Phoenix’s mind. He just wasn’t sure if she was ready to leave MI6 behind. If she even wanted to consider a future with him.
They could discuss that later, after they’d taken down Smyth.
Phoenix leaned forward, focusing on Cannon. “Suspecting we were setup and knowing what we’re facing are distinctly different. We need to figure out how Smyth tracked us down.”
“That’s easy.” Becca grinned when everyone looked at her. “Either Smyth has a master hacker on his payroll, or he is one.”