Chapter 27 #2
“We’ll have to see. She took a great risk getting us the information. I’ll make sure she returns home safely,” Leo said. “Damn, I didn’t get to call Kit Kat back. She’ll already be in bed.”
“I’m sure she won’t mind if you wake her. We don’t know when we’ll get to talk to them if they strike tomorrow. I imagine there’ll be hell to pay,” Liam said as he set water in front of Apollo.
“She’s pregnant and dealing with my three little monsters. She needs all the rest she can get,” Leo said disappointedly. “I hate taking on these missions. Damn, I’m getting old. I’d rather sit outside watching my kids play on their playground than be in this sandbox.”
“I hear ya,” Hollywood said, thinking about Addy. After the incredible send-off, he anticipated returning to her. He hoped Leo gave them a few days to decompress because he didn’t plan on letting her leave his bed.
“We’re at the barracks,” Patch announced. “I’m examining her now.”
“We’re headed back,” Leo said, turning toward their area. Hollywood picked up the water bowl and fell in step with Apollo.
Four heavily muscled men blocked their way.
“Can I help you, gentlemen?” Leo said, his voice turning deadly.
“Exactly what do you do here?” the group leader asked.
“My job,” Leo said. “The same as you. Do you mind stepping out of our way?”
“It seems mighty secretive,” another one of the men said. “Why do you have men guarding your bunks?”
Leo laughed. “Because I don’t want our expensive equipment stolen, dumb ass. I can’t replace the parts if I don’t have the tools.”
One of the men stepped closer, making Apollo growl.
“Call your dog off, man. We’re only talking,” the leader ordered.
“He doesn’t like your tone,” Hollywood replied. “Can’t say as I like it much either.”
“What’s wrong with your woman, the one with the dog?” the leader asked.
“She’s not used to the heat,” Leo said slowly. “What’s it to you?”
“Then maybe you should’ve left her at home. There are wild dogs in these parts. You never know when her pretty dog might get attacked,” The second man warned.
“Wild animals who stray from their pack deserve to get put down,” Leo said nonchalantly. “Don’t you agree?”
The leader smirked. “I’m only giving you some friendly advice.”
“Duly noted,” Leo said as Hollywood pushed Apollo forward, prompting the group to part to let them pass.
“Did you get the name of the one to your left?” Leo asked as they casually returned.
“Billings, Hayworth, Jones, and Sullivan,” Hollywood replied. “I’ll send it to Bear asap.”
“Once we know Taylor’s condition, we’ll need to make a plan for tomorrow. Damn, I wanted to ride out with Sparky and see where she guessed the strike might happen.”
“We can ride out. I want Apollo to sniff around. If we don’t know what or how they’re confusing the dogs, at least we can see if they already planted something,” Hollywood suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Leo said as they entered. Saint moved from the door, and Cole took over.
“It’s bad, boss,” Saint told him as they walked to Sparky’s bunk.
Liam stayed outside to give Leo and Patch the room to work.
“SITREP,” Leo asked.
“They beat the hell out of me, and I feel like shit,” Sergeant Taylor replied. “I did take two down with me.”
“Where did they attack you?” Leo asked.
“In my room right after I showered,” she replied.
“And nobody heard them?” Leo asked, glancing at Saint. “How many?”
“Four,” she said, clutching her side.
“Do you recognize them?” he asked.
“No. They wore masks over their faces. I did recognize one. He swaggers like he’s a lady’s man, Hayworth,” she choked out.
Leo turned toward Hollywood and gestured for him to wait before calling Bear.
“Did they say why they did it?”
“They called me a nosy bitch, sir. I took it as a compliment after all the other names they called me,” she breathed.
“What’s the damage?” Leo addressed Patch.
“She has a concussion. Multiple cuts and abrasions, bruised ribs, and a nice shiner to go with it.” Patch pulled down the sheet, indicating her torn clothes.
Leo’s nostrils flared as he saw the bruises on her thighs. “Did they rape you, Sargeant Taylor?” he asked softly.
She chuckled a second before wincing. “They tried. After seeing two of their buddies die, they decided I wasn’t worth their effort.”
“I need my corpsman to take photos of you,” Leo said. “You’ll be leaving tonight.”
“I’m scheduled for the day after tomorrow,” she said, refusing. “I’m not letting these assholes win.”
“We won’t let them. Where did you plan to go after you leave the army?” Leo asked.
“I don’t know, sir,” she said, wincing. “My dad passed away last year, and I don’t have any relatives. I hoped to find a security job somewhere.”
Leo leaned over her. “You risked your life for us and for those who died because of these fuckers. It tells me everything I need to know. My friend, Julio Hernandez, has a team in Embers, Texas. You’ll have a job there if you want it.
First, I’m sending you to Serenity. My friends will get you fixed up and off the radar.
Once you’re healed, Chase and Kassie Winters will get you to Texas. ”
“You don’t need to do anything, sir. It’s a pleasure working with you,” she said as Patch taped the cut above her eye.
“They have a team there to rescue trafficking victims. Something tells me you’ll fit in there. You’re doing me a favor,” Leo replied. “Don’t die on me while I work on getting you out of here.”
“Fat chance,” she replied. “I refuse to let those bastards have the pleasure.”
“Go to Texas and kick some ass,” Leo said before leaving the room.
“Knight, you and Taco keep an eye on Hayworth,” Leo said, walking toward their mini war room.
“Saint, hang tight near Sparky. Hollywood, we’re officially in mission mode.
Call Bear. Have him dig up everything on Hayworth and Cole’s old boss, Sargeant Ford.
See if they have any ties. When you’re done, we’ll take a little drive. ”
Hollywood headed to their coms room to place the call.
“Bear speaking.”
“It’s Hollywood,” he said. “Leo requests info, asap.”
“What does he need?” Bear asked.
“We need information on four men,” Hollywood said, listing their names. “He wants you to check for a link between any of them and Sergeant Ford.”
“Will do. Jones and Sullivan will be multiples. I’ll check for any common links between them and will get back to you,” he said tiredly.
“Thanks,” Hollywood said, glancing at his phone. The time in Seattle was way after midnight. He noticed a text from Addy, making him smile. “Talk to you soon.”
He tapped his screen to read her text.
I miss you holding me in your arms. Question of the day: What’s your favorite ice cream? I love pecan and mint chocolate chip. I’m off tomorrow. I’m meeting the women for lunch at Ty’s. Then we’re taking a little shopping trip.
Grinning, he texted back. I like Moose Tracks ice cream.
It’s vanilla swirled with chocolate fudge and peanut butter cups.
Since I’ve moved to Serenity, Eddie makes the best vanilla ice cream I’ve ever tasted.
I bet it tastes better if I lick it off you.
I’m happy you’re going out with the women. I bet they’re thrilled to have you.
A text immediately popped up. It’s technically tomorrow. I can ask another question. Do you prefer lace or silk?
A picture showed him two pairs of panties, nothing like the ones he saw Addy in. She usually wore her cotton panties, which made his cock stand at attention. Imagining the different materials against her soft skin, he replied.
I prefer nothing. Lace might feel itchy, but the silk will show me how wet you are as I nibble on your breasts. What has you up this late?
He shifted his dick as he felt it grow hard, thinking about her.
Zeus has always made a wonderful companion, but I long to sleep on you and run my fingers through your chest hair.
Shit. If he didn’t stop now, he didn’t want the team seeing him with tented pants.
Close your eyes and dream of me. Hopefully, I’ll see you soon and will hold you in my arms all night long while you wear your silk panties.
Goodnight, Liam. She texted.
Goodnight Addy. He replied.
He put his phone away, and Leo entered the room.
“Damn Hollywood. Are you glad to see me, or do you have a banana in your pocket? It damn well better be the latter. Get rid of it and let’s go,” he ordered.
Hollywood followed him out to the truck and got in, trying to hide his hard-on from his boss.
“I didn’t realize you had a crush on Bear,” Leo teased as they drove through the gates.
“If you weren’t my boss, I’d tell you to go fuck yourself,” Hollywood replied, feeling the heat grow in his face.
“It never stops the other assholes,” Leo said. “Hopefully, we’ll get some answers tomorrow and can catch these traitors. I’m ready to get back to my wife and kids.”
They drove out to where Sparky described. The area seemed ripe for the attack, with the distance between the base and the other units. By the time anyone arrived, the weapons and supplies would be gone and their brothers dead.
Leo pulled to the side of the road a distance away. Hollywood grabbed Apollo, and he sniffed along the ground, finding nothing. Leo scanned the area as if mentally cataloging everything.
“Tomorrow, we’ll ride ahead of the convoy,” he said. “Apollo can do his thing alongside the other dog. We’ll go by what our dog dictates. If you see anything suspicious, get the hell out of the way.”
“Won’t they seem suspicious if we go first?” he asked.
Leo smiled. “We’re dumbass contractors. I imagine we’ll know more if our four friends show up in the convoy tomorrow. We still need to find the two dead men Kerrigan took out,” he said as he scanned the area again before they got into the truck.
“Sparky’s right. It’s the perfect spot. We’ll have to come from behind while the other half leads,” he said thoughtfully.
They carefully drove back to the base.
One of their new friends, Sullivan, stood at the gate.
“Great,” Leo muttered.