Chapter Seventeen
RAVEN
While Miguel joined the teams gathered around the table, I found a folding chair against a wall and sat down, pulling out my phone. I wasn’t a part of the raid on the compound, so it wasn’t necessary to be part of the discussion. If I had to admit, I really didn’t want to know all the details. The fact that the love of my life was going into a heavily fortified compound with an unknown number of killers, scared me to death. Knowing that there was nothing I could do to help the situation made me feel totally helpless.
I tried to get a Wi-Fi connection on my phone, thinking that I might be able to distract myself by doing a Nightcrawler review, but couldn’t get a signal of any kind, even a roaming one. By the time it finally occurred to me that the FBI was probably using some sort of signal blocker to keep our location secret, I gave up. Instead, I opened the Word app on my phone, did my best to remember the latest book I’d read, and started writing.
Book title: Hairy Potter
Author: Dr. Pickens
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Paranormal
Review/rating by Nightcrawler: 3 stars
Synopsis:
The story of an innocent young man who’s unexpectedly drawn into a magical, supernatural world when he’s bitten by a werewolf.
My review:
The synopsis of this book sounded benign to me, so I sat down with it prepared for a yawn fest. I should preface this by saying that I’ve read my fair share of paranormal books, enjoying tales of vampires, werewolves, shifters, and other supernatural creatures. I was, however, surprised by the sexual twist in this book which was not listed as erotic romance.
The young man in question, has just reached puberty which means he has an active fantasy life which leads to a plethora of crusty socks hidden under the bed where his mom can’t find them. As a side note, I must admit, my own mother never had trouble scooping them out from under the bed with a broom, but that’s a story for another time.
One night, though, the young teen in question takes a break from his masturbatory activities and decides a long walk is just what he needs to clear his head…no pun intended. So…our guy is out walking his dog in the forest—cliché, I know—when the dog suddenly goes crazy and breaks his leash. He heads for home on a run, leaving the boy in the forest to make his way home alone. Cue the scary music. When he’s confronted by a monstrously hairy, wolf-like beast he can’t identify, the boy turns to run, only to find it’s too late. He’s bitten by the creature, feels a sudden surge of power coursing through his veins, and finally makes it home.
Yeah, yeah, I know, you may be thinking that this is the plot of every werewolf book you’ve ever read. And yet, it’s not. The boy wakes up the next morning with hair on the palms of both hands—nowhere else, just his hands. I admit, I had to stop reading at this point to laugh. Since every boy I ever met has been told that it’s wrong to choke their chicken because that kind of behavior leads to the embarrassing growth of hair on the palms of their hands, I think most males can relate. I’m going to stop here with the description of the story. If I go further, I’ll spoil the ending for all of you. Let me just say this: Shaving doesn’t work, and chemical hair removal products lack style. That may be the true horror of this book.
I’m happy to admit, I’m not speaking from experience.
I found the book to be engaging, and overall, a good read, if not terribly imaginative, so I’m giving it a satisfactory three-star rating. I’ll say this to young men everywhere, go ahead and believe in magic even if your mothers pass old-fashioned wives’ tales down to you. That’s the real horror here.
I looked up from my phone as a shadow fell over me. Kindness and Beth were standing in front of me. I closed my Word app and got to my feet.
“Hey there, Raven,” Kindness said with a smile. “You hungry? Thought you might want to grab a sandwich before they’re all gone.”
I looked past her to the group of men who’d been huddled around the table. They seemed to be finished looking at maps or whatever they’d been doing. Several coolers on wheels had appeared from somewhere and the men were grabbing what looked like sub sandwiches out of them. One of the DEA agents appeared to be tossing bags of chips to people while another passed out cans of what had to be soda.
I rubbed my belly. “Thank you. I really am starving.”
The three of us fell into stride, heading over to the group gathered around the coolers. I wondered where the food had come from and then realized someone at the FBI or DEA had the foresight to pack dinners and bring them along. Miguel stood with Max, his husband, Dr. Reeves, Mike, and Cassidy who’d changed into tac gear. Miguel was holding two sandwiches and when I walked over, he handed one to me.
“Thank you for grabbing some food for me.”
“It was that or you’d go hungry. If you haven’t noticed, those tac team guys are huge. They wouldn’t have left you a crumb.”
I grinned at him. “Yeah, I noticed the muscles.”
“The muscles, huh ?” Miguel pinned me with a look which made me laugh.
I watched as he bent down and fished a bag of chips from the pocket of his cargo pants, holding them out to me.
“ Mm …Fritos, thank you,” I said appreciatively.
“Your favorite.”
“I don’t know. I’m so hungry I could have eaten a bag of those FUNYUNS things you covet so highly.”
“Who doesn’t love FUNYUNS?” Mike commented, ripping into a small bag of them.
“Greasy rings of oniony goodness? You betcha,” Miguel said, unwrapping his sandwich as Max and the doctor laughed.
I bit into the turkey sandwich, reveling in the multitude of toppings, made just the way I liked it.
“What were you doing over there?” he asked.
“Couldn’t find a Wi-Fi signal so I was writing a review in my Word app.” I shrugged. “I’m probably going to have to rewrite it when all this shit is over. I had a hard time finding the funny.”
Miguel shot me a sympathetic smile.
“You were writing a review?” Dr. Reeves asked. “Of what?”
Miguel grinned at me before looking back at the two men. “Do you like to read, Doctor Reeves?”
“Please, call me Leo, and yes, I love to read. Our house is full of books. When our cases keep me busy with scientific journals and I need a break from the latest breakthroughs in criminal psychology, I force myself to put it all down to pick up a book. I read for pleasure whenever I need an outlet.”
Miguel hooked a thumb at me. “Raven reviews books on Bestreads. It’s one of those book review sites.”
“Oh, yeah?” Leo asked. “I follow several blogs on there. Do you review under your own name?”
I shook my head. “No…Nightcrawler is my name on Bestreads.”
Leo’s jaw dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Nightcrawler is you?” He nudged Max. “Do you remember that review that I read to you the other night?”
Max thought for a few seconds and then grinned. “The Art of Floor?” He looked at me. “You wrote that?” He started laughing. “You have quite the sense of humor there, Raven.”
I grinned, so proud that Miguel wanted to brag about my reviews with the agents. “Thank you.”
“I’m never going to be able to look at you the same way again,” Leo admitted, smiling. He held up his sandwich. “Every time I do, I’m going to think of The Sliders.”
We all chuckled as Candy Sorensen sauntered over. He rested a hand between Miguel’s shoulder blades. I watched him share a look with my man, feeling a little stab of jealousy as he paid him attention. “How do you feel about the plan? You think you’re gonna be able to keep up?” He winked at Miguel. I grew more annoyed the longer his hand lingered but when Miguel shrugged, he finally let it drop.
“I think I can hold my own,” Miguel replied, sounding matter-of-fact about the jab.
“I have no doubt, Recon.”
I felt really out of the loop, and I was sure it showed when Max turned to me. “You gonna be okay sittin’ this one out, Mathis?”
“I hate the idea, but yeah, I guess. I have no training. Hell, I never even used a gun until I met Miguel.”
“You’re good with that weapon now, Sunshine,” Miguel boasted.
I felt my face heat up. Being called by a pet name in the company of these capable professionals, felt wrong, but if that’s what Miguel wanted, I was loathe to object in front of them. “Thank you,” I said, simply. I balled up the paper from my sandwich and looked at my watch. “It’s nearly midnight. What time does everyone have to leave?”
“We’re goin’ in on foot,” Max drawled. “The hike is about two clicks. We’ll have to leave here in an hour or so.”
I nodded as I opened my bag of Fritos.
“You’ll be given an earwig so you can listen in, Raven,” Miguel said. “I really wish you could be there at my side, but you know you can’t.”
I wished he’d stop rubbing it in. I was feeling inadequate in the company of all these capable men, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to show it. “I know.”
“But there will be a live SAT feed which you’ll be able to watch on one of the Bureau’s monitors,” Leo said, pointing to a laptop set up on one of the tables where the maps were.
“That’s good.” I felt relieved to hear that even though I wouldn’t know which of the tiny dots on the screen would be the man I loved.
The five of us stood there finishing our food until Damon came over and joined us. He nodded to everyone and then turned to Candy. “Bannister is looking for you, Sorensen.”
“Be right there.” He turned and looked at Miguel. “Don’t forget what I told you. When this is all over, I’ll be calling.”
Miguel pursed his lips. “We’ll see.”
Candy grunted a reply and then nodded, before slapping him on the back again. My irritation ramped up as he turned to Max and Leo. He stuck out his hand and they both shook. When he turned to Miguel, I watched his eyes roam over my partner’s face. “Make sure you answer when I call.”
Miguel simply nodded and then shook the hand he offered. When Candy turned to me, I reached out a hand. “Be careful out there, Sorensen.”
“Will do.” He gave a short salute and walked away.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked Miguel.
“Sure thing. Let me throw that away first.” He held out his hand and it took me a second to realize he was asking for my trash. I handed it to him and watched him walk to a trash barrel.
“Don’t worry,” Leo said.
I looked at him. “About what?”
“That man loves you unconditionally, Raven. You have nothing to worry about.”
“He really does,” Max added.
“I know.” Abstractly, I knew that, but it bugged me a little to know I’d been telegraphing my feelings to everyone else.
“Yeah, but it don’t take a genius to see how irritated you got when Sorensen had his mitts all over your man,” Max drawled.
“No, really, I wasn’t irritated,” I protested.
“Yeah, you were, but that’s okay,” Leo said, smiling. “Miguel’s focus was on you all throughout the planning.”
That was alarming. “He wasn’t paying attention to what’s supposed to happen?”
“No, he was,” Leo hedged, “but I noticed him sneaking glances in your direction every time he got the chance, that’s all.”
Miguel came back. “Okay, let’s talk,” he said and turned to the others. “I’ll see you guys in a minute.”
“Take your time, Huerta,” Max said.
I reached out my hand, shaking both of theirs. “Please be careful out there, guys…please.”
“You betcha,” Max said before walking away with Leo at his side.
We walked back to where I’d been sitting close to the wall. All around us, men were pulling on vests and body armor, checking weapons, some of them holding handguns, most of them equipped with lethal Bureau-issued automatic rifles. I really hoped Miguel would be taking one of those into that compound with him. As long as I was going to have to sit here and pray for his safety, I didn’t want to imagine what could happen to him if he wasn’t armed properly.
“I suppose you want to know what my role in this is gonna be, right?”
“Yes. I can’t tell you how frustrating and terrifying it is to be sitting this one out,” I admitted. I laid a hand on his arm, staring into his beautiful eyes. “Since this whole thing began, we’ve been inseparable, Miguel. And even though I know this breach is something you’ve done a hundred times before, it’s been more than a decade since you were on a team and you’re unwell. I can’t help but feel nervous.”
He nodded, giving me a serious look. “And I need you not to be. I know you’re scared, Raven, but I need you right here where I know you’ll be safe. I’m feeling better after the painkillers and the sleep out here. I’ll be going in with capable men at my side and at my back. They’ve all done this a million times before. But I promise to be careful. I’ll be surrounded by a lot of good men who know their jobs, the most important of those being to keep each other safe.”
“Are you…will you be…I don’t know what I want to ask.” I wanted to beg him not to go but I knew it wouldn’t only be embarrassing for him, but it would be wrong. He was a Recon Marine, a fierce warrior, and he was right. He’d done this kind of thing throughout his career and each time, he’d come out of it okay. I had to trust him and make him know it. Telling a Marine you didn’t have complete faith in him was dangerous. He had to feel invincible, and I couldn’t let my fears cripple him and how he reacted when the time came.
“We’re going in there with a partner. Sorensen is mine. You’ve seen the man, right? He’s strong as an ox, has been on a couple of hundred missions as a Green Beret, and if you haven’t noticed, he’s capable of watching my back. He won’t leave me behind, Raven. Of that, there shouldn’t be any doubt.”
I nodded vigorously. “So, what does he want to talk to you about? He said he was going to call.”
Miguel sighed, looking directly into my eyes. “He said his team is down a man and he wanted to know if I’d be interested. He wants to talk to his SAC about adding me to the team.”
“What?”
Miguel shook his head, reaching out to grab my bicep. “Don’t worry. I already told him I have no interest in that. For one thing, they’re based out of Houston, they’re FBI, and I’m committed to our business. I told him I haven’t been on a team in almost twelve years, but most importantly, I’m happy with you…right where I am.”
I nodded slowly. “But he’s going to press the matter.”
Miguel frowned. “Are you hearing me, Raven? I said I turned him down. Even if he calls, I’m going to repeat what I already told him. I am thoroughly committed to you and Trackers. I love my life. I love our home. I love Nana. And I love Stanley.” He reached out and took my chin in his hand when I turned away. “I love you , Raven and I’m very happy, understand?”
I sighed, feeling a little better. It was nice to know that he was committed to me, but I certainly didn’t want to limit his career prospects if an FBI tac team was a better fit. “I’m happy too, Miguel, but I don’t want you to stick out the opening of Trackers if the job he’s offering fits better.”
He put his hands on my shoulders. “Where’s this coming from, huh ? I told you, I’m happy. You’re happy, right?”
I closed the space between us and drew him into my arms. He came willingly. “Of course, I am.”
He surrounded me, hugging me tightly to him. I felt a brief kiss on my hair and then we were separating. He smiled. “Okay, I need to gear up. Come with me?”
I nodded, stepping back. He put his hand in the small of my back and I walked with him over to one of the vehicles where a tac team guy was passing out vests, body armor, and weapons.
“Thank you,” Miguel said as he took a vest marked FBI on the back. He pulled it over his head and I stepped close, helping him adjust the straps as the agent looked on. Once that was done, the man handed him several flash bang grenades. Miguel shoved them deep down into the pockets of his black tac pants. I noticed they were made of some sort of mesh fiber that gleamed. The long-sleeved shirt he wore looked the same. Only then, did I realize he’d put on body armor, probably when I had my head buried in my phone.
After taking three full clips of spare ammo and an FBI windbreaker, he was handed a large automatic weapon and two handguns. Finally, he asked for a knife and strapped it onto his belt before adding night vision goggles as well as a set of military-grade earwigs to everything else.
I asked for a set of earwigs and the agent handed them over without question.
“Thanks,” Miguel said, nodding to the man. We walked over to the group of agents gathered at the tables where the maps had been laid out. Mike and Cassidy stood there and I smiled, knowing that even though Cass would be going along with Miguel as part of the team, at least I’d have Mike by my side throughout the ordeal. Sorensen looked up from the large laptop he was working on. He nodded to both of us and then turned to a female agent.
“Mr. Mathis, this is Special Agent Cora Cooperson. You can stay here with her throughout the operation. If you have any questions before, during, or after, she’s your man.”
She grinned. “I’m your man,” she said, playfully pointing at herself. She held out a hand, and I shook it. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Mathis.”
“Please call me Raven.”
“Cora.”
“We’d better get going, Huerta,” Sorensen said.
All the air rushed out of my lungs as I felt my heart squeeze. It was too soon. I didn’t want to let him go. Something in my expression must have touched Miguel’s heart. He immediately threw his arms around me, and I hugged him back. “Please be careful.” My words were muffled against his collarbone.
“I will. I promise. See you soon, Sunshine.”
I squeezed him hard but a few seconds later, predictably, Miguel let go. I turned to Sorensen. “You take care of him, you hear?”
“I promise, Raven.” Sorensen gave me a serious look and nodded hard, abruptly turning away from us.
I reached out and caught Miguel’s hand right before he walked away. We didn’t say anything, just stared into each other’s eyes before I finally let him go.
He walked over to join the others waiting by the vehicles. They would take the FBI and DEA teams as far as they could before dropping them in an inconspicuous place to hike the rest of the way through the jungle.
As Miguel stood beside Mac, Jarrett, Max, and the rest of my friends, I watched Sorensen pull a small box out of his tac pants. He opened it and dipped his fingers into it. After painting his face with black and green paint, he passed it to Miguel who expertly applied some to his own face.
I watched the others load up in the vehicles and as Miguel turned to look in my direction one last time, I held my breath, raised my hand, and waited for his acknowledgment. It came with a brief, private nod of his head, before he climbed into the vehicle. He and the others drove through the second set of double doors at the back of the warehouse and disappeared a minute later.
I’d never felt so terrified in my life.