No More Lies (Onyx Black Ops #4)

Chapter 1

“E xecute.”

Hearing his team leader’s command, Steve opened the fire exit door. Raven team filed through without a sound. Onyx Black Ops commanded by Captain Sam Harrison, was an elite, classified arm of the military that reported directly to the White House.

The team was in Islamabad, penetrating the luxury hotel owned by Omar Aziz. Omar and his brother Hakim led Reborn, a Middle Eastern terrorist organization with a huge axe to grind against America, and a personal grudge specifically with Raven.

Ahead of Steve, Dexter Dawson, the Raven team leader, held up his black-gloved hand and the team stopped, still and silent in the shadows of the fire stairwell on the thirtieth floor of the hotel.

“Raven 5 and 6, cover the north stairwell. 3 and 4, take the south near the elevators. 2, with me.”

Tyler, the team’s medic, and Mackie, their tech specialist, positioned themselves at the north stairwell. Steve, as the team’s explosives expert, and Donnie, primary sniper, headed to the south stairwell. Ryan, Dex’s second in command, prepared to enter the penthouse suite with Dex.

The current mission was recon only. Omar Aziz had not been seen at the hotel in more than three months. Hakim had captured Tyler and shared a little too much information with him before Raven had effected a rescue. Hakim had gotten away, and the brothers appeared to have gone to ground.

Steve glanced back, seeing Dex and Ryan entering the room. This felt like a damn waste of time. It had taken way too long to get the green light to search the hotel. He’d bet his right arm nothing worthwhile was inside Omar’s suite. Omar, his daughter, and his grandson were long gone. The daughter, Asma, was married to Reyes Lazir, another Reborn soldier, who was currently in a US black site. Onyx had captured him after he murdered a SEAL team and captured one of their own.

They would sweep all rooms, looking for any lead to the Aziz family’s new location and proof of their connection to Reborn. Onyx were eager to end Reborn’s reign of terror once and for all, but Washington needed solid evidence before they would authorize their leader’s capture.

“We should have come here fucking weeks ago,” Donnie whispered, putting a voice to Steve’s own thoughts.

“Yeah. I hear you. I don’t see someone as smart as Omar leaving us a forwarding address.”

Donnie grunted in agreement.

Steve remained still; his eyes stayed on the elevator while Donnie covered the stairwell. With any luck, they would wrap this up and be home tomorrow. He planned to take some time off as soon as they got back to focus on his family. Or to be more exact, his marriage.

Diane and their beautiful eight-year-old daughter, Megan, were his world. He would never have made it as a SEAL, and now as an Onyx operator, without Diane. All through, EOD training, BUDs, the long deployments, Diane had been his rock. One he needed more than he could ever have imagined. He was forever grateful to have found her.

But things had started to change. In the past few months, he felt an ever-increasing distance between them. He’d tried to talk to her, but she kept blaming her work. The fact that she didn’t want to talk about it made Steve think Diane might not be telling the truth, might instead be regretting her choice of husband. They’d been married nine years; had his job gotten to be too much for her? He knew Megan could be a handful, even if she was a happy child. Taking some time off, maybe he could show Diane she chose right and make sure she understood exactly how much she meant to him.

The elevator light came on. Twentieth floor and climbing.

“Boss, this is Raven 3, Elevator is on the move.”

“Copy that. Handle it quietly if you need to.”

“Got it,” Steve said. The elevator was still climbing. Twenty-five, twenty-six. Quietly meant they did not want to wake up any other hotel guests. Raven had not been invited here, and the Pakistan authorities would not take kindly to their presence. This floor was off limits to guests, so either housekeeping or security could be on their way up. Twenty-seven, twenty-eight. Steve and Donnie flanked the elevator doors and waited. Twenty-nine.

The elevator stopped on twenty-nine. Steve glanced to Donnie, who moved back to the stairwell to ensure whoever had got off on twenty-nine was not coming up the stairs.

“3. Sitrep?” Dex asked.

Steve waited a beat for Donnie to signal the stairwell was clear. The elevator remained on twenty-nine.

“All clear,” Steve confirmed.

“Alright we’re done. Move to exfil.”

Raven retreated, leaving the same way they came. Forty minutes later, they were in the air.

“So, did you get anything?” Steve asked, sitting next to his team leader.

“Wherever they’ve gone, they didn’t take much with them. Personal belongings are all still there. No electronics. A few papers. Not sure they mean anything. But we got photos.”

“Waste of time then.” Steve grunted.

“Had to be done. If they come back. We’ll know,” Dex said. Planting a couple of bugs had been part of the op.

“Listen, Dex, when we get back, I need-”

“Sam wants a word.” Ryan interrupted him, holding out the satellite phone.

Dex took the phone and stood up. “Be right back, Steve.”

Ten minutes later, Dex returned, motioning for the team to gather around.

“We’re being re-tasked.”

“Where we headed?” Donnie asked.

“North Korea.”

The team fell silent. North Korea was one of the most dangerous places in the world. Getting caught on the ground there would lead to severe ramifications.

“Mackie, set up the laptop. Sam will do the brief in ten,” Dex said. “It will be a HALO infill, so make sure your packs are ready. Good news is it should be a twenty-four-hour turnaround.”

The team dispersed, but Dex stopped Steve’s path.

“You were about to ask me something?”

“No, it’s fine. It can wait until we get back home.”

It wasn’t fine, but there was no point bringing up his personal problems now. The whole team would have to be front side focused for this one. North Korea was no joke.

His marriage was just going to have to wait a little longer. Again.

***

D IANE PULLED INTO THE parking lot of Tequila’s, the Mexican restaurant where she was meeting the girls for dinner. It had been a hell of a week, and it wasn’t over yet. After a ten-hour day at the office, she was tired, ready to go home and crash, but Kelly had insisted she join them. Diane knew her friend would have come to her house and dragged her there. Forcing a smile, she entered the restaurant. Immediately, she spotted the girls at a table on the far wall.

“Diane! It’s been too long!” Kelly jumped up and hugged her.

“I know, sorry. Hi, Sophie, Mira.” Diane smiled. These women were her friends, and guilt swept over her as she realized she hadn’t seen them in, jeez, at least a couple of months. She settled into a chair next to Kelly, who waved the waitress over to order.

The girls got their drinks and relaxed into easy conversation. Kelly lived with Dex. Mira had recently got together with Tyler. Both Kelly and Mira worked intel for Onyx and supported both teams, Raven and Nyx. Sophie, head of the ER at Westside hospital on the naval base on Coronado was head over heels with Ryan.

Diane was the only one married to a Raven team member. She met Steve when she was eighteen and they had been together ten years, married nine, and had a beautiful eight, almost nine-year-old daughter, Megan. Neither of them had planned to have a child so quickly, but fate had other ideas.

“Hey, are we boring you?” Sophie said with a grin.

“No of course not, just been a long day.” Diane smiled.

“Work still busy? We haven’t seen you at any of the team barbecues for a while?” Kelly asked. She and Dex often hosted barbecues for the teams but lately Steve had been going with Megan while she worked.

“I know, work has been crazy. If I want to make partner one day, I have to put in the hours right now.” She had said the same thing to Steve over and over the past several months, not wanting to discuss it further.

“All work and no play. That’s not good, Diane.” Mira wagged a finger at her, teasing.

“It won’t be forever. I’m working on a big case. Once that’s done things should ease up a little.” She kept telling herself and Steve exactly the same thing. Just a little longer and she’d feel better. Except the weeks kept slipping by and she felt her marriage slipping away.

“Good, because we miss you. Us girls have got to stick together.” Kelly raised her glass, and they toasted in agreement.

“Well, I can’t wait for the team to get home. I miss Tyler and this was his first op back since his, er, incident, and since we kind of... you know... actually got together,” Mira said smiling.

Diane didn’t press for details on the incident. Steve had mentioned Tyler had a close call, but since she wasn’t a part of Onyx, he hadn’t said much more. Then again, they hadn’t said much at all to each other recently.

“You mean, since you both admitted you are nuts for each other.” Kelly grinned. “I can’t wait for them to get back either.” She winked and the other girls laughed.

Diane felt a pang of envy. She remembered feeling that way. Counting down the days until Steve came home. She was so proud of him and what he did. Anyone that served their country like these men did were true heroes. Yes, it was dangerous. There was always the risk he might not come home, but Diane never dwelled on that. When they first met, he was already enlisted. She knew who he was and what he wanted to do. Not every woman could understand or accept being the wife of a military man, but she did. She admired, respected, and loved that her man was in the Navy, a SEAL, and now been chosen to be part of a unique Special Forces team where only the best of the best made the cut.

She loved Steve. Her feelings for him hadn't changed, but her life had. Over the past twelve months or so, little things started to feel like big things. While she had tried to ignore the thoughts creeping in, they refused to quiet. Instead, she felt unhappy and desperately alone.

Things had gotten even more strained recently with Steve, primarily because her focus had been on work. She had waited so long to be where she was now, a lawyer at a big firm, but she was exhausted and miserable. Hell, she’d barely noticed Steve had been gone other than the extra running around needed to take care of Megan. Each day, she felt Steve and her growing farther apart. She didn’t want that, and she didn't want to lose him, but she wasn't sure how to stop it. Realizing her eyes were moist, she quickly took a drink and blinked back tears before someone noticed. Too late.

“Diane, are you OK?” Kelly asked.

“Yes, something in my eye.” She grabbed a napkin and dabbed at her eyes to deflect the attention. “There you go, got it. All good.”

“How’s Megan?” Sophie asked.

“Growing up way too quick.” Diane smiled at the mention of her daughter. “She’s turning nine next month.”

“Wow. Ever thought of having another?”

Her heart tightened in sadness. “We haven’t really talked about it. I was focused on getting through law school after we had Megan, and then Steve was away so much.” She shrugged, trying her best to dismiss it. Steve wanted another child, used to mention it all the time. She wanted her career. After a while, he stopped bringing it up and they’d never spoken about it again.

“You’re not too old, Diane, you could still have one. And now Steve is with Onyx, he’s home much more,” Sophie said.

“I don’t know, I think we’ve both got used to the idea of having one child. How about you guys? You’re all in love. Are we going to hear any patters of tiny feet?” She wanted to get the conversation off of her life.

Sophie said, “I think Ryan wants his own army.” Laughter filled the table. “I do want kids, but one step at a time. We are thinking about moving in together, though.”

“That’s wonderful!” Kelly exclaimed. “I’m so happy for you both. Who will move where?”

“Not sure. We both rent. I spend so much time on base. Ryan’s place is closer, but it’s such a bachelor pad.” She rolled her eyes, and they all laughed. “Maybe we’ll look for somewhere new. We’ll see.”

“That will be nice. How about you, Mira? Not feeling broody?” Diane asked.

“It’s too soon for me. We’ve only just got together. I like it being the two of us. Dating and getting to know each other.”

“Kelly? You and Dex have been together forever.” Diane smiled at the woman she had been friends with since Steve got onto Dex’s SEAL team more than six years ago.

“We have talked about it, and we both want kids. We will one day, but I’m old-fashioned. I want to be married first.”

“Yeah, why hasn’t he popped the question yet? Or has he?” Sophie looked at Kelly suspiciously.

Kelly smiled. “No, he hasn’t. Neither of us were in a rush to get serious and settle down. We were both focused on our careers. And then, after what happened... Well, we got serious, but I don’t know. We’re kind of taking things one day at a time.”

The table went quiet. They were all aware of what happened. Kelly had been captured, raped and tortured by Reyes Lazir, a Reborn soldier. Dex had been the leader of a SEAL team at that time. He had gone rogue with the team to rescue her, and it almost cost him his career. The incident was confidential, but Kelly had chosen to share it with her friends, needing their ongoing support.

“Well, that fucker is rotting in a cell somewhere,” Mira said in a low voice. “And you guys have moved on and deserve a life together filled with happiness. And marriage. And babies.”

“You’re right.” Kelly raised her glass, and they toasted again. “Let’s order some food.” Kelly grabbed the waitress’s attention, and the women ordered.

“So, what’s the big case you’re working on? Or can’t you say?” Mira asked Diane as they waited for their meals.

“Custody battle. He's a big client, that’s all.” Big enough that failing could cost her the shot at partner and ruin everything.

“That must be so hard. Battling over kids. I can’t imagine.”

“It’s never easy.”

“Well, you are an excellent lawyer, so I’m confident you will make sure the kids get the best.”

Diane smiled. “I hope so.”

The food arrived and the girls ate, turning the conversation to Donnie and Mackie, the two remaining single team members on Raven.

“Donnie gets a lot of female attention,” Mira said, “but have you noticed he never brings anyone to any gatherings? Mackie’s never going to settle down. The man has said it himself. He loves the bachelor lifestyle.”

“I’m pretty sure Ryan and Tyler thought the same at one time.” Kelly glanced at Sophie and Mira smiling. “They just need to meet the right woman.”

“No kidding. I used to tease Ryan about his reputation.” Sophie picked up a french fry, pausing. “He’s pretty embarrassed about it now.”

“Tyler was just as bad,” Mira said. “But they found us, Sophie, and now look. We have them wrapped around our little fingers. Steve and Dex, they’re a different story.”

Diane and Kelly exchanged small smiles. They had been with their men for years. Neither Steve nor Dex had been the sleep around type.

Steve had been in training and Diane had been set on going to law school when she found out she was pregnant at nineteen. Law school was put on hold without hesitation. There would be plenty of time for her to do that. They had become a happy little family, and she loved Steve and Megan with all her heart. She had become a wife and mother much younger than she ever thought she would, but she wouldn't change a thing. She was happy. Past tense. She picked up her wine, taking a sip. She had been happy. Why wasn't she now?

“Yeah, I can’t imagine a life without Dex in it,” Kelly said, bringing Diane’s attention back to the conversation. “How about you, Diane, you still feel the same?”

“Of course. Steve was my first love, there’s never been anyone else.” She raised her glass and took another sip as emotion threatened to overcome her.

“You mean, you’ve never slept with anyone else?” Kelly looked at her in surprise.

“Steve is my one and only.”

He had been so gentle, so patient. Her first time had been magical, just like you read about in romance novels. He was so handsome and self-assured, and she’d been so scared her inexperience would put him off, but it hadn’t. He loved that he was her first.

“Wow, I had no idea. That’s so lovely. Really special.” Kelly’s voice was soft, filled with awe.

Diane’s eyes welled up, but she was helpless to stop them. “Yeah.”

“Diane? What is it? I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t. Sorry.”

“Is everything OK between you and Steve? You can talk to us, you know. Just us girls.”

She sighed. “We’re just going through a rough patch. It will be fine. My working long hours isn’t helping, but like I said, once I’m done this case, hopefully things will get better.”

They had to. She couldn’t go on this way. Putting on a brave face was getting more and more difficult.

“Well, we’re here for you. You know that. If you need anything you only have to ask.”

“Thank you.” Diane wiped her eyes. For a brief moment, she thought about telling them how unhappy she was, but quickly dismissed it. She didn’t want to burden her friends or have them see what a disappointment she was. She had nothing to complain about, really. She had a husband who loved her, a wonderful daughter, a prestigious job, and finally decent money. She should be happy. They wouldn’t understand.

Forcing a smile, she said, “Well that really killed the mood huh?” She finished her last sip of wine. She’d been careful to only have one, so she could drive home. “I think I’m going to head out. I’m tired, and I have an early start tomorrow.”

“Of course. It’s been great to see you,” Sophie said. “Please don’t leave it so long this time. We worry about you. Texts are not the same as seeing you in person.”

“I promise. I’ll do my best to get to the next barbecue.”

The ladies said their goodbyes and Diane headed to her car, loneliness bearing down again. Steve had been trying to talk to her, but she had shut him out, afraid of what he would say. Not to mention, the named partners had been putting on the pressure, and she needed on the partner track. Everyone had sacrificed so much to help her get here. She couldn’t let them down.

Her parents had scraped together every penny, even downsized their home to help pay for law school. With Steve’s meager Navy salary, it had been a struggle. They had racked up debt trying to make ends meet. The only way they had kept their heads somewhat above water was because of their families. Everyone had supported her through school. Not just financially, but emotionally, and now she had to show them it had been worth it. Make senior partner at a prestigious law firm. That had always been her plan. Her dream. With Steve’s higher pay with Onyx and her salary, they had finally started chipping away at their debt. Maybe they could repay their families a little, not to mention put some money away for Megan’s education. She was getting closer to living her dream, but it wasn't giving her the joy she thought it would. Her life felt like an uphill battle she was facing alone.

Diane parked, grateful to be finally home. Megan was staying with her grandparents tonight, and the house was far too quiet without her, but for once she was glad her daughter wasn't there. Setting the house alarm, Diane climbed the stairs and collapsed on the bed fully clothed, exhausted. She turned on her side and hugged the pillow, inhaling Steve’s smell.

She loved her husband, and she missed him. Missed how things had been before she was a lawyer. She wanted to be more than just a Special Operator's wife and Megan’s mom. She loved the law. Practicing family law meant she could make a difference in family lives. So why did it not feel that way? Why did she feel like she was trapped in a nightmare of her own making?