Chapter 12
M egan lay asleep on the couch in the den, a blanket draped over her. She and Steve had decided not to move her since she’d been on edge sensing things were not quite right.
That was an understatement. Diane sat at the kitchen island and poured herself another glass of wine. The shower was running. Steve had said he wanted to freshen up and change. More like he wanted to be anywhere except in the same room with her. She took a gulp of wine, barely registering the feel of it sliding down her throat. Why couldn’t life be normal?
What even was normal? Somewhere along the way she’d lost sight of it. Lost sight of how to be happy. Life just seemed to be about surviving these days. Goddammit, it was all such a mess, and she was to blame. She'd failed as a wife, a mother, even as a lawyer. She swiped at the tears spilling down her cheeks and took another small sip of wine. Her body ached, exhaustion spreading through every muscle. It felt like it had been months since she’d gotten a good night’s sleep. Taking the wine with her, she made her way upstairs to the bedroom. Feeling lost and alone, she changed into shorts and a tank. She was about to lay down for a little while when the shower shut off.
The bathroom door opened, and Steve stood there in nothing but a towel hung low on his hips. She licked her lips at the sight of him. She couldn’t help it. He was so handsome. She let her eyes roam over his bare chest. All of his body was toned and tanned by the California sun. His arms rippled with muscle, showing him to be strong, muscular. Protective. Why had she ever doubted he could handle whatever she needed? There was nothing like the feeling of those arms around her. He always made her feel safe, secure. Loved. When her gaze moved to his face, she met his eyes. She shivered at the unmistakable heat in them. Whatever else was going on with them, they still turned each other on. The chemistry had never faded. Making love with her husband was her escape from reality. And she really needed an escape right now.
“I was just going to lay down for a while.” She spoke hesitantly, trying to gauge his reaction as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
“I’ll get dressed and get out your way.” He moved toward the walk-in closet.
“You’re sleeping on the couch again?” Her voice caught on the words.
He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “I won’t be sleeping.”
Diane took another sip of wine. How was she going to try and sleep when he was obviously upset with her?
“Steve, please.”
He turned to face her. His eyebrows raised.
“Can we talk?” she whispered.
His clenched fists at his side, but then he released them as if mentally calming himself.
“We needed to talk days ago. Weeks ago, in fact.”
“I know.” She kept her voice soft, not wanting to get into a fight.
“Then why didn’t you, Diane? I don’t understand. There is nothing you can’t tell me, nothing. How do you think it makes me feel? Knowing you were going through this, and I had no fucking clue? I’m your husband, not to mention a special operator. I was sat in that diner with Megan while you went to his hotel room.”
It was obvious he was trying hard not to get angry, but his voice was thick with emotion.
“I was wrong. I know that now and I’ve said I’m sorry.”
“You put Megan’s life in danger.”
She stood, even though her body trembled. “I would never intentionally do that. I was doing my best. Can you at least try and see this from my point of view?”
He stalked forward but stopped a couple of feet away.
“He had me and Megan followed. Had pictures of us. Goddammit, Diane, he could have taken her. We could be burying our child right now. Can you see that point of view?”
She turned away as a sob wrenched from her throat. The thought of anything happening to Megan... How could he say that? How could he think for one minute she would risk that? Steve cursed and then he was behind her, wrapping those strong arms around her waist and gently pulling her against his chest.
“I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry,” he whispered. “It frightened the crap out of me. I see a lot of bad things in my job and the thought of Megan...”
When he trailed off, she didn’t say anything, scared to ruin the feeling of his arms holding her tight, if only for a minute. Everything always felt alright when she was in his arms. Heat pooled between her legs. Jesus, this was not the time. Yet she wanted nothing more than to escape her thoughts. Sex was the one thing she didn’t seem to be a failure at. She leaned back into him, reveling in the feel of his cock against her ass. Yeah, he felt the heat, too.
She traced the outline of the muscles in his forearms and heard a small groan. Mustering up courage, she turned. Pleased he didn’t lower his arms, she roamed her hands over his naked chest. It was still warm from the shower. She moved down, toward the towel.
“Diane.”
His voice held warning, but she ignored it. She wanted her husband. She wanted to not think, to not worry, to not be sad. For just a little while. She just wanted to feel loved, to feel wanted, to feel seen. Her hand tugged on the towel, and it dropped to the floor. Her eyes still on his, she grasped his cock, now fully erect, so beautiful and hot. Stroking him up and down slowly, she caressed the tip with her fingers.
Steve growled, then moved his hands to her face, bringing his mouth down on hers. The kiss was hard, almost aggressive, but she welcomed it. She matched the stroke of his tongue, hungry to feel him, to taste him. His hands moved back to her waist, and he picked her up, practically throwing her on the bed. She gasped, but then he was on top of her, kissing her again. His hand went under her tank and cupped her breast. She arched into him, pushing deep into his mouth.
Breaking the kiss, he yanked at her shorts and pulled them down, along with her panties. Then he was between her legs. His cock rubbed against her clit. His face was tense; he was still upset. There was nothing gentle about this lovemaking, but she didn’t care.
She wanted him however he was willing to give it. She needed him inside her, needed that connection. She wrapped her legs around him, urging his hips forward. His hands braced on either side of her head as he lifted himself over her.
“Lift up your top.”
He had growled the words, and she did as he asked, lifting the flimsy tank to reveal her breasts. Immediately, he took one in his mouth, sucking so hard she almost cried out. Then he took the bud between his teeth. She thought he might bite it, but he stopped suddenly, let it go, and gently licked it.
The abrupt change in passion tore into her emotionally. His hand slipped between them, and he placed his cock at her opening. When he lifted his head, catching her gaze, her gut wrenched at the conflicted emotions on his face, knowing she was the cause.
Without warning, he thrust into her. She grabbed his shoulders, digging her nails into his skin as she held on. Then he shifted slightly, his fingers going to her clit, and he rubbed it hard as he continued to thrust.
Oh, God, yes! Her body trembled, her insides grasped him every time he thrust a little deeper, not wanting to let him go. When his thrusts got faster, she bit her lip to hold back a groan. His fingers brought her to the edge.
Raising her hips off the bed, she rocked against him, forcing him even deeper. She threw her head back on the pillow and let go. Her whole body convulsed as her orgasm ripped through her. Steve pulled out, then he surged into her a final time with his own release.
Neither of them moved, both breathless, hearts racing. She wanted to hold him, roll on their sides and spoon. She went to do just that, but Steve pulled out of her and pushed himself up on the bed.
“Steve?”
“I got to get dressed.”
“Come to bed. Just for a little while.” She reached out, tried to grab his hand, but he pulled away.
His face held pain and anger. “No.” He cut the air with a hand. “Fuck, Diane. We shouldn’t have done that.”
“Steve, we’re husband and wife. We made love. There’s no shouldn’t about it.”
He bent to pick up the towel.
“That wasn’t making love. It was just... fuck... I’m sorry.” He walked to the closet, disappearing to get dressed. Diane curled onto her side as reality came crushing down around her.
Moments later, she heard the bedroom door open and close. Burying her head in the pillow, she let the tears roll.
***
“S O, THE HOTEL WAS A bust?” Dex asked Ryan.
“Volkov checked in under an alias. We found him on camera, briefly, but he already checked out. Nothing else on the alias he used.”
The team were back in the war room, getting increasingly frustrated.
“And the shipment?”
“One VV truck has been to the airport but was drop off only,” Kelly answered. “No trucks have entered for pick up yet. It could still be there.”
“Bingo!” Mackie looked up grinning. “It is still there! Well, the shipment that was logged from the private plane has not left the airport yet. It’s being stored in a warehouse. Good news is there is only one warehouse that is used for any dangerous loads, away from the main passenger terminal.”
Dex faced Sam. “We take it now, at the warehouse.”
Everyone waited silently for Sam to make the call. Dex understood searching a warehouse at a US airport wasn’t exactly what Onyx should ever be doing. The orders had been to secure the sarin before it got on US soil, but it was too late for that. If it had been anything but sarin, they would alert the authorities and let them do a formal search. But if the buyer, or Volkov, had someone inside the airport, and they got tipped off, the consequences could be deadly.
Sam faced the team. “Do not get seen. Gloves, masks, do not leave a trail. Understood?”
Dex grinned. “Isn’t that our MO?”
“Yeah, but no bodies, Dawson. No injuries, no guns, no takedowns. Silent. Invisible. You get caught... Hell, a black op at an American airport? I do not need to tell you the shit storm this will cause if a civilian is hurt or if it’s not there.”
“Don’t worry Sam. We go this.”
***
I T WAS MIDNIGHT WHEN Raven got in position at the airport perimeter. Noise restrictions meant limited planes landed or took off between midnight and six in the morning, making it the quietest time.
The team had gone over the airport layout back at the Farm. In order to determine their best way in, they had reviewed the warehouse where the sarin should be, examined the camera feed, watching the pattern of security, where the ground crew were working. They had to remain undetected.
Reno-Tahoe was a little over an hour away by helicopter, but ironically, they couldn’t land there. It would draw too much attention. They landed at the US army reserve base close by, and a fifteen-minute drive away.
The team huddled a few feet back from the chain link perimeter fence, waiting for Kelly to disengage the cameras and activate the loop. Before leaving the Farm, Mackie had snuck into the system and recorded some footage. Kelly just had to hit the button. Thank God, Mackie was one of the good guys.
“You’re good to go,” Kelly confirmed through their headsets.
“Copy that.” Dex cut coms and turned to face his team. “We’re on a tight timeline here, we can’t rely on that loop for too long. In and out, nice and fast.”
“Donnie’s an expert at that.” Tyler smirked and the boys grinned. Donnie gave him the finger. All of them were head to toe in black, including gloves and ski masks, making their smiles almost glow in the dark.
“Time to focus, and remember, invisible. Let’s move.”
While the cameras were on a loop, Kelly still had live feed and would help navigate them through. Donnie climbed the chain link fence, cut the barbed wire at the top, and pushed it back. He swung over first with the rest of the team right behind him. As one, they moved toward the warehouse.
“Raven one, you have two ground crew coming up on your right, twenty feet away.”
Dex didn’t answer Kelly, only signaled the team to pause behind a luggage cart, until the crew passed.
“Raven one, you’re all clear,” she confirmed moments later.
They reached the rear of the warehouse and as expected the doors were locked. A digital access code was needed to open them. Mackie took out his tech and went to work on the device while the rest of the team kept watch.
“Raven one to base. How’s it looking?”
“Security guards are close to the terminal; you have some time. There are a few grounds crew, but none heading your way right now.”
“Copy that.”
Dex crouched beside Mackie. “You good?”
“Yep, a couple of minutes more. Need to make sure the control room doesn’t see it’s been unlocked.”
“You sure they won’t?”
Mackie turned his head, looking at his team leader. “Seriously?”
Dex grinned. “Just busting your balls, man.”
Mackie shook his head and smiled as the unit beeped. The light stayed red, but the door opened.
“How do you like that, boss man?”
Dex fist bumped him, and they stood. Opening the door just enough, the team slipped inside. Mackie closed the door behind them. The light still showed red, and everything was quiet outside.
“Make it quick,” Dex said. “Ten minutes max and we’re out of here.”
The warehouse was dimly lit, but they were not about to turn on the full lights and draw unwanted attention.
The team split up. Each box, container, or crate had paperwork attached. Reading the arrival date and flight number would make their search a little easier.
“Got it,” Tyler said. Dex and the rest of the team joined him.
“All of the others have paperwork, none relating to that flight,” Ryan said.
“Looks like this is the one then.” Tyler pried open the top of the container.
“That opened a bit too easily,” Dex said.
“Yeah, almost like someone might have already opened it,” Donnie said.
Dex aimed his pen light inside.
“Jesus. They really transport this shit on planes like this?”
Donnie leaned over, seeing what Dex was looking at. Containers of fertilizer and weed killer were inside. Hazardous, yes, but they weren’t sarin.
Dex activated coms and moved aside so the others could see. “Base, nothing but a shipment of fertilizer in there, do we think it could be disguised as that?”
“No. It left in a protective small steel case. It would be too volatile for anyone to transfer it into something else.” Sam came back in his ear.
“Dex, take a look at this.” Ryan motioned him over.
“Stand by, base.”
Ryan had carefully removed the top layer of fertilizer containers, revealing a space below. A space padded out with foam and would have easily fit a small steel case.
“It was here,” Ryan said, his tone annoyed.
“Base, possibility it was here, already been moved out.” Dex heard Sam curse at the other end.
“Raven one, security have started to do rounds.” Kelly’s voice interrupted them. “They’re checking the fence perimeter and outbuildings.”
Shit. He wasn’t worried about the fence; they had pulled the barbed wire back across once they were all over. Security wouldn’t be expecting any problems, so wouldn’t be looking that hard at it. But, if they were coming inside the warehouse, the team needed out. Fast.
“Boys, we need to hustle. Get the lid secured. Mackie, the door. Let’s get out of here now. Base, keep me posted on security.”
Ryan and Tyler secured the lid back in place and the team waited as Mackie did his thing again.
“Raven, there are two security guards headed your way. You don’t have time to exit.”
“Copy that. How long?”
“Sixty seconds.”
“Mackie, fix the door so security can get in and out as normal. You got fifty seconds. Rest of you, out of sight.”
The team moved, taking cover behind boxes and cannisters out of sight of the entry. Dex stayed with Mackie.
“Raven, thirty seconds.”
Dex waited. He knew Mackie was working as fast as he could. He trusted his team mate to have it. Instead, he just relayed the time. “Thirty seconds.”
Mackie kept working.
“Twenty seconds.”
Footsteps approaching.
“Ten seconds.”
“We’re good.” When Mackie stood, the two of them scurried behind the nearest crate, without time to go anywhere else.
The beep echoed loudly in the warehouse as security entered their code and the door opened. A bright flashlight swept the room, and a guard stepped inside. No one breathed. Dex couldn’t see the guards and wasn't about to move to get a better view. All they could do was wait it out, hoping the guy turned around and walked back out. The beam of light stopped moving and footsteps moved closer. Shit. The guard had seen something.
The door opened again. More footsteps.
“What the fuck are you doing? You can’t come in here with a lighted cigarette!” a voice shouted, clearly annoyed. “Come on, get the fuck out of here before you blow us both to pieces.”
The flashlight went out. More footsteps echoed, then the door closed with a secure beep. Silence. Nobody moved. Dex waited. Kelly would tell him when it was clear. He didn’t have to wait long.
“Raven, guards have moved on. I’ll confirm when they are far enough away for exfil.”
“Copy.” Dex stood up. The rest of the team moved out from their hiding places.
“A lighted cigarette in a dangerous goods warehouse, and he calls himself a security guard. Stupid fuck.” Donnie scoffed.
“Well, that stupid fuck saved our asses,” Dex said.
“Raven one, you’re clear to go.”
“Time to leave, team.”