Chapter Thirteen #2
Iona turned to Riley and raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.
“I’ve got it.” Riley turned to the screen. “With your permission, sir.”
“Do it. Let Zane know if you need help.”
“Copy that, sir.”
“Seth, Iona, I’ll see you in Bayside. We’ll talk then.” Maddox ended the call.
Grant frowned. Maddox usually only showed up in Bayside if an operative was injured. Why was he making the trip to Texas this time?
Seth stood. “You heard the boss. We have our assignments. Since we haven’t slept in over 24 hours, take this time to rest. We’ll hit the ground running as soon as we land in Texas. Dismissed.”
Grant held out a hand to Rayne. He escorted her down the aisle to their seats, then grabbed a blanket from an overhead compartment and seated himself next to her. After shaking out the blanket, he spread the cover over both of them and reclined their seats so they could rest comfortably.
If his mind would shut off, that is. At the moment, his brain was working overtime to figure out who hated him enough to come after the important people in his life.
Grant wrapped his arm around Rayne’s shoulders and eased her upper body against his chest. “Is this okay?” he murmured.
She sighed and snuggled closer, seeming to go boneless in his arms. “It’s perfect. Are you sure this won’t keep you awake?”
“I’m more at peace than I’ve been for a long time. Sleep, Rayne. I’ve got you.”
Within a couple of minutes, the woman he cradled in his arms was fast asleep.
Grant settled deeper into the chair, kissed the top of her head, and allowed himself to drift.
Surprised to grow sleepy, he deliberately slowed his breathing and relaxed every muscle.
The past 36 hours had been difficult, and he needed to recharge his batteries.
He woke fully alert when the jet settled on the runway in Bayside. When the aircraft came to a stop, Grant stroked Rayne’s back. “Rayne, time to wake up. We’re in Bayside.”
She stirred and blinked up at him. “I didn’t think I’d sleep that long.” Rayne sat up.
“Neither did I.” He smiled. “Thanks for letting me hold you.”
“Oh, trust me. The pleasure was all mine.” She winked at him.
Grant folded their blanket and stored it in the overhead bin as two burly men boarded the jet with a stretcher and hurried toward the bedroom. He wondered how Tara fared on their flight to the states.
In less than two minutes, the men reappeared in the aisle, maneuvering the stretcher up the narrow passageway and through the open doorway. Sean and his children, along with Seth and Teagan and Jake, quickly followed them.
The rest of the operatives grabbed their gear and vacated the jet. On the tarmac waited three SUVs for them to use while they were in Bayside. Once their principals were treated and released, Echo and Artemis would be free to return to Nashville.
Grant frowned. At least, that was the normal procedure. With Maddox meeting them at the clinic, the procedure could change.
After storing their bags in the cargo hold, he followed Rayne into the backseat of one of the SUVs.
Andre climbed behind the wheel as Riley strapped into the shotgun seat.
A minute later, the caravan left the airport and headed toward the clinic where Ted Sorenson treated injured operatives and their principals.
When they arrived at the clinic, more of Sorenson’s assistants exited the building to lend a hand with the bags and any walking wounded. Grant and Rayne followed the rest into the clinic and headed for the kitchen, where the doctor kept food and drinks on hand for Fortress employees.
Setting their bags on the empty long table reserved for that purpose, Grant seated Rayne and went in search of food and drinks.
He returned minutes later with three breakfast sandwiches, blueberry muffins, coffee, and water on a tray.
Setting them in front of Rayne, he said, “Take whatever you want. I have a feeling we won’t be in Bayside for long. ”
She picked up a sandwich and bit into it, moaning at the taste. “This is so good. I love these sandwiches.”
“Makes the stopover in Bayside worth the trouble.”
Their teammates filed into the conference room with their own filled plates and sat around the large table to enjoy the meal.
After wolfing down food and coffee, the operatives usually split up watch rotations, allowing their teammates to take turns sleeping while still providing security for their principals.
As the operatives finished eating, Maddox walked in.
Around the table, his employees straightened, and their conversations petered off.
He made eye contact with every operative.
“Echo and Artemis, well done. The president sends his congratulations and heart-felt thanks.” He smiled.
“Martin says he owes us a favor. I’ll take that any day. ”
Grant and his teammates chuckled.
“I also owe you a debt. You pulled off an amazing rescue with only eight hours’ notice. You’ve more than earned an extra week off deployment rotation. Your month off starts as soon as you land in Nashville.”
Cheers sounded all over the room.
“How are the Whites?” Iona asked.
“Sorenson is treating Sean and the kids for cuts, bruises, and a few cracked ribs. Tara’s injuries are more extensive and will require more treatment. Bottom line is they’ll recover, thanks to you and your efforts to free them from the cartel’s clutches.”
“What about Mr. White and his bodyguard?” Elias asked.
A muscle in Maddox’s jaw twitched. “Similar injuries to Sean and the kids.”
Andre snorted. “At least they survived, unlike the rest of his bodyguards.”
Their boss inclined his head in agreement.
“That’s what happens when you believe anything can be bought for the right price.
White gambled with $5 million and lost. Grant, Rayne, Andre, and Riley need to remain behind.
Iona and Elias, go talk to Seth and Teagan to work out a rotation schedule for guard duty.
Put me on the schedule as well. I’ll lend a hand with watches until the Whites leave.
Sorenson hopes to release them all for further treatment with their own physicians sometime tomorrow. ”
Rayne threaded her fingers through Grant’s as Iona and Elias left the room.
Grant squeezed her fingers, studying his boss’s face. The man definitely had something on his mind. But what could it be that also involved Andre and Riley?
Maddox waited until Elias closed the door behind him before he spoke. “Grant, since you are now off deployment rotation for five weeks, this might be a good time to go see your family.”
“Do you know something I don’t, sir?”
“I know whoever is behind the deaths of your cousin, Selena, and Dante isn’t finished. Might be a good idea for you and Rayne to leave town for a few days. What better excuse than to introduce your girlfriend to your family?”
He turned to Rayne. “Do you mind? No pressure, Rayne, but I’d love to introduce you to my family.”
“Of course you should go. If anyone can persuade your family members to accept Fortress’s help, it’s you.”
“Will you go with me?” If she refused, he didn’t know yet what he’d do. Leaving her alone to fend for herself was unacceptable. It didn’t matter that she could protect herself. Even the best of them needed someone to watch their backs.
That’s when he realized why Maddox had asked Andre and Riley to stay for this meeting. He planned to send them to East Tennessee as backup.
She smiled. “If you’re sure they won’t mind my adding an unknown factor into the mix, I’d love to meet them.”
Tension dissipated in his body. Excellent. He turned back to his boss. “You’re sending Andre and Riley with us?”
“You need someone to watch your backs while you focus on your family’s safety. Someone has to be focused on you. Can you think of a better option for your protection and Rayne’s?”
Proving once again that the rumors about Maddox were true. He was always ten steps ahead of everyone else. Just one more reason he’d been an outstanding Tier One SEAL. “No, sir.”
The boss shifted his attention to Andre and Riley. “Are you willing to go on a working mini-vacation for part of your time off deployment rotation?”
They exchanged glances and came to a silent agreement before Andre said, “We’re in.”
“Good. Between Seth, Teagan, Iona, Elias, Jake, and me, we can handle the security detail for the Whites. The jet is being serviced as we speak to fly you back to Nashville. From there, I suggest you get on the road to Duncan. Zane has already reserved a suite for you at the Waterfall Hotel. I don’t think it’s wise for the four of you to stay with your parents, Grant.
Too much temptation for the perp to take out multiple targets at once. ”
“I agree. I appreciate the reservation, sir, but it’s unnecessary for us to stay at the Waterfall. It’s a five-star hotel.” And very expensive.
“You’ve earned it, Bowen. Just enjoy the luxury.” He folded his arms. “The next assignment may not have plush accommodations like these.”
“Thanks.”
“Grab your gear. The SUV leaves in ten minutes.” He headed for the food table and filled a plate. “Rayne?”
“Sir?”
“Go see Sorenson. He’s expecting you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Grant turned to Rayne, puzzled. “Why do you need to see the doc?”
“Bullet kissed my arm. It’s not a big deal.”
“Baby, you should have said something. Go now. I’ll grab your Go bag.”
“Thanks.” Rayne left the conference room.
After retrieving their bags, the rest of the operatives filed from the conference room. Grant pulled up short when he almost ran into Seth guzzling water. “Everything okay?”
Seth gave a curt nod. “Maddox said he planned to send you back to Nashville.”
“Along with Rayne, Andre, and Riley. He’s encouraging me to go back to Duncan to see my family.”
“What do you want to do?”
Grant paused a beat. “I need to go check on them, but I don’t want to leave before the operation ends. I feel like I’m walking out on you.”
“According to Sorenson, we’ll be out of here ourselves soon. Go, Grant. See to your family. Watch your six, my friend. If the perp finds out you’re home, he’ll follow.”
That’s exactly what Grant feared. Not only was danger dogging his steps, but that same danger might touch his friends, family, and the woman he adored.