Chapter Nine
ROADKILL GAZED out over the lake, the smell of barbecue in the air accompanied by the sound of children’s squeals as they played on the far side, audible even at a distance.
An ordinary summer’s day.
Except, for the occupants of Dellan’s house, it was anything but.
He’d had enough of waiting around to learn the details of their next mission. He’d tried to relax during the past week, like everyone else staying there, but he’d been on edge ever since Hashtag had located Theron’s stronghold, and it was starting to show.
Hashtag and Eve’s solution—fucking like bunnies—alleviated some of his tension, but it wasn’t something they could indulge in all day long—no matter how much they wished otherwise—especially when Hashtag was spending so much time on his laptop, hooked up to the satellite.
Then he snorted. Hashtag would try to qualify for a gold medal in fucking, given half a chance.
Come inside.
Are you referring to the house or your ass? Roadkill chuckled. We only fucked half an hour ago. I used to think you were insatiable. Man, you were tame compared to how you’ve been lately.
Hashtag laughed. Fine. Stay out there and miss the meeting.
He whirled around. “What meeting?” he called out as he hurried toward the rear of the house where Hashtag stood by the French doors.
“Living room. Everyone’s there.” Hashtag’s eyes twinkled. “We were waiting on you.”
Roadkill stepped into the cool interior. “Is this it? Are we finally ready?”
Hashtag grinned. “Yup. Now kiss me before we go in.”
“Why?”
He gave Roadkill a pained expression. “Do I need a reason?” Then he smiled. “Wait a minute. I have one.” He closed the gap between them and stroked Roadkill’s cheek. “I love you, and I need a kiss. Good enough? ”
Roadkill’s face was warm. “Good enough.” Their lips met, and he lost himself in the intimate connection. Then Hashtag’s words hit home. “That’s the first time you’ve said it.”
“Said what?”
His chest ached. “Don’t do that. Don’t take it back.”
Hashtag locked gazes with him. “I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t tease.” His hand was on Roadkill’s neck.
“I’ve loved you like a brother for years, you know that.
We’ve had each other’s backs more times than I care to remember.
And now?” He smiled. “I love you in a totally different way, and it’s…
amazing.” His eyes sparkled. “Plus now you have my back in a whole new way.”
He caught Eve’s internal groan.
I love you too, but if the pair of you don’t get your asses in here, Saul is going to tear you both a new one.
Hashtag chuckled. No thanks. The one I have is more than enough. Besides, Roadkill’s still breaking it in.
Roadkill’s chuckle was pure evil. Trust me, I plan on breaking it in for many years to… cum.
He groaned. I don’t believe you went there.
Can you two quit flirting and get your cute little butts in here?
Hashtag grinned. “She likes our butts.”
They headed into the living room, where all Dellan’s guests were squeezed into every chair, onto every couch, not to mention seated on floor cushions.
Brick took up most of the small couch, with Crank sitting on its arm, but that didn’t stop Aric and Seth from curling up in Brick’s lap while he stroked their napes.
Jake and Doc had grabbed two armchairs, and Eve stood next to the long window that looked out over the lake, Jamie at her side.
Horvan and Saul stood next to the TV screen. Dellan was perched on the coffee table, a laptop on his knee, and Rael sat on a cushion beside him.
Horvan arched his eyebrows. “Good of you to join us.” He gestured to Hashtag. “Get over here.”
Hashtag wove his way through the room to the front.
He gave Dellan a nod, and an image filled the screen.
“This is our objective—Thurland Castle, in Carnforth, Lancashire. It’s set within ten acres of parkland, and yes, it has a moat.
” He paused. “Once we narrowed the search down to two possibilities, I contacted Milo and asked him to see what he could find out.” Hashtag smiled. “This is definitely the place. ”
“What’s the nearest airfield?” Brick asked.
“There’s an airstrip in Penrith, about an hour’s drive,” Hashtag told him.
“It’s a remote location. The nearest inhabited place to it is Tunstall village, to the northwest.” Another nod to Dellan.
“Now I’ve taken a shit-ton of surveillance photos during the past week, and Aelryn sent footage taken by the drones.
” He pointed to the most southern point of the castle.
“This is the only way in, through this archway on the other side of the moat.”
“What have they got in terms of security?” Crank asked.
“I’ve seen guards, but not many. They walk the periphery three times a day, but that’s all.” Hashtag grinned. “Either Theron thinks he’s impervious, or else he thinks no one knows about the place.” Then he frowned. “But that presents us with a problem. We have no idea how many people are inside.”
“We could’ve asked Fielding.” Crank snorted. “Like he would’ve helped.”
“But we wouldn’t be where we are now if not for him—and Jake. Okay, so he didn’t help us willingly.” Doc’s tone was grave. “Just like we wouldn’t know about this place but for Seth being able to see it remotely.”
“What movement have you seen?” Jake stared at the screen.
“None apart from deliveries. No one goes in, no one comes out. And before anyone suggests using the old Trojan Truck ruse again, forget it. After what happened in Maine, to quote The Who, they won’t get fooled again.”
Aric frowned. “The what?”
Brick leaned in. “British Rock band. Before your time. In fact, before the time of nearly everyone in here. And the only reason I know about them is my folks used to love them.”
Jake snorted. “Careful. You’re treading on my memories.”
“And mine,” Doc added.
Dellan shook his head. “ None of you are going in there if we have no clue what—or who—is waiting for you.”
“I agree.” Horvan smiled. “But we have a plan.” He glanced at Saul, who moved to stand in front of the screen.
“We’re going to be working with a UK-based Fridan team, led by Aelryn. We have accommodations thanks to another Fridan leader, Richard Deveraux. Aelryn says there’s plenty of space for us to use it as a base camp.”
“Use what as a base camp?” Roadkill demanded. “Details, gimme details.”
“We’ll be staying at Leighton Hall. And if you think that sounds pretty grand, that’s because it is. We’re talking an English stately home.” Horvan grinned. “You’d better be careful not to break anything, you got that?” He glanced at Saul. “Over to you.”
“Once we’re on the ground,” Saul continued, “we delay incursion until we’ve sent someone in to assess the location and report back on numbers. Then we go in, probably the next day.”
Roadkill widened his eyes. “And who exactly did you have in mind? Because getting inside will be the easy part. If they’re caught, no way will Theron simply let them walk out.”
“We have a plan for that too,” Saul informed him. “A cover story. All we have to do is make sure Theron believes it.”
Roadkill folded his arms. “Okay, but you still haven’t said who.”
Saul gazed at Eve, and Roadkill’s initial instinct was to yell, Absolutely not.
“She’s the perfect choice.” Saul smiled. “She can sound like she belongs there. She knows what to look for. And she has an advantage—her experience with the Geran forces.”
Eve glanced at Roadkill, but whatever she was thinking, she’d hidden it.
She learns fast.
Brick gaped at Saul. “She can’t go in there. They’ll know who she is. And after the last mission, they’ll know what she did.”
“We’ve planned for that too,” Saul announced. “And if all goes well, they will let her walk out of there.” He met Roadkill’s gaze. “Well? I’m waiting.”
“For what?”
Saul smiled. “For you two to tell me you’re not letting your mate stroll into the enemy’s stronghold. That it’s too dangerous.”
Roadkill shrugged. “We don’t like it. Of course we don’t.”
“But we trust Eve knows what she’s doing,” Hashtag said simply.
“And we’ll be right there.”
“To come running if she needs us,” Hashtag concluded.
Eve grinned at Saul. “Told you.”
Horvan laughed. “Well, that was easier than I anticipated.” Then it was his turn to grin. “Now I know you’re mates. The way you finish each other’s sentences? Cute, guys. Like you’re joined at the hip. ”
Eve chuckled. “Well… maybe not the hip, but definitely got some joining going on.” She gave a devilish smirk. “It was kind of tight at the start, but with some patience and good lubrication, things started working much better.”
Hashtag snickered. “Yeah, it’s amazing what some good lube will do. And then—”
“TM freakin’ I , guys,” Horvan growled.
“Oh, I get it.” Hashtag glared at him. “ You can tell everyone you meet about my awesome tongue action—”
“Which it totally is,” Roadkill interjected. He beamed. “Having been on the receiving end. H, you weren’t kidd—”
Hashtag glared. “Dude?” He returned his gaze to Horvan. “As I was saying…. You can share about me , but I’m not allowed to share about my mates? And while we’re on the subject—” Hashtag gave Horvan a pained stare. “—cute? Really?”
“Excuse me?” Horvan gaped at Hashtag. “It might have escaped your attention, but we’ve got a meeting going on in here.
So if you’ll let me continue….” He folded his arms. “Okay, this mission has three objectives: Rescue Vic, get Alec out of there, and find out exactly what Theron is hiding in that room.” He inclined his head toward Jake.
“That last part will be down to Jake, along with Luciano Orsini, the archivist. Aelryn is bringing him from Rome to the UK.”
“I’m going too,” Seth declared.
Judging by the lack of an argument from Brick and Aric, this wasn’t news to them.
“So am I, but I’ll be there strictly to oversee Alec’s removal from that place.
” Doc’s face was as serious as his voice.
“But can I add a note of caution? From what Seth told us, Alec has aged since Saul first encountered him. That doesn’t bode well.
For all we know, he could appear older than his father by now.
We know the Gerans tinkered with his DNA to speed up the aging process—and to bring about the mutation in his hands.
What we don’t know is if they’ve been able to halt the aging process.
I think we must be prepared for the worst possible outcome. ”
Dellan said nothing, so Roadkill guessed this wasn’t news either.
“I suppose you’re going to leave me here.” Aric sounded glum. “Especially with my track record. ”
Horvan studied him. “I don’t know about that. As a kitty, you might be able to help us. You can get into spaces none of us can.”
Aric jerked his head in Brick’s direction, and Brick laughed. “You think H would’ve said that if we hadn’t already discussed it? You’re good to go, spy kitty.”
Aric’s face brightened. “Spy kitty. Yeah, I like the sound of that.” Seth kissed his cheek, and he flushed. “Yay. I get to be useful.”
Brick sucked in a deep breath, and Roadkill’s scalp prickled.
Uh-oh.
“H? After we’re done with all this? I’m out.
” Brick’s tone was even, his breathing too, but Roadkill noted how he tightened his grip on Aric’s hand.
“My parents left me enough that I won’t have to work for a while, so I’m going to get to know my mates properly.
” He shrugged. “Can’t do that if I’m running all over the place while they’re at home worrying, now can I?
” He glanced at Seth. “I know you want to work in intelligence, so I guess we’re gonna be having a few high-level discussions in the not-too-distant future. ”
Seth leaned into him. “Let’s see how this mission goes, all right? I think we need to play this by ear.”
Horvan gave them a warm smile. “Brick, you’re a lucky man, you know that?
Your mates are amazing.” Then he sighed.
“I figured this was coming, and I don’t blame you.
Thanks for letting me know.” He swept his gaze around the room.
“Okay, that’s it. Now for the bad news. We leave tonight for the UK.
” He peered at the clock over the fireplace.
“In about eight hours, to be exact. Transportation is arranged, so you need to go pack, then either chill or get a few hours’ sleep.
” He gave Hashtag and Roadkill a mock glare. “Please note, I said sleep .”
Hashtag grinned. “Oh, I heard ya.” He glanced at Roadkill. We’ll need to keep the noise down.
Across the room, Eve grinned at Roadkill. Time for the ball-gag, I think.
Roadkill returned her grin. I like the way you think. Then his thoughts slipped into a far more serious groove, and he locked them out of sight from Hashtag and Eve.
Some things needed to be kept hidden.
In the past, his military superiors had always known how much pre-mission fucking went on, but as long as the men were ready for action when the time arrived, they turned a blind eye.
Roadkill had played the “but I might not be coming back” card more times than he cared to remember, and it had always earned him a hot night between the sheets.
Now? Everything had changed. Their mate was going to walk into the lion’s den, and while he acted cool about that, Roadkill had no idea what Saul’s plan comprised.
He was praying Eve—and a little kitty—walked out of there unharmed.