Chapter 1 #2
The apprehension in the room was palpable.
“Are you ready?” Alex asked, eager to change the subject. “Transport is standing by.”
Harris shook his head, gesturing to the window across the room. “We have a slight change in objective,” he said.
Alex fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Meaning?”
“We received word earlier in the week that minor civil unrest was imminent,” he began.
“Minor civil unrest,” Roland snorted. “As if that’s a thing.”
“A few protests took place around the Blue Mosque and outside the consulate. We took the usual precautions, but today the activity ceased, causing some confusion.”
The political strain between the United States and Turkey in recent years wasn’t comfortable. Alex had his own thoughts on the matter that he didn’t dare share with the military.
“So, there is no threat?” Alex asked.
Charles’s fingers grazed a photograph facing the other way on his desk.
“Just tell him,” Mikael spoke up.
Charles took a deep breath. “My work here has gained some negative attention from various protest groups. We think those groups were infiltrated by a Russian sleeper cell.”
Alex quickly looked back at Lance, who gave him a subtle shrug and rubbed the back of his neck. His friend looked unsure of where this could be going.
“The Russians want you?” Lance asked.
He cast a glance to Alex, his brow furrowing.
“I’ve tried to keep all my work locked down,” Charles said. “But the cell managed to find out my daughter is working here on internship. Our informants believe she’s the actual target.”
Alex’s skin grew cold in the sticky heat.
“They compromised the power grid in this district,” Harris interjected. “We believe it’s to cause more confusion as the storm rolls in. A kidnapping attempt is imminent.”
Alex ran his forefinger and thumb down the length of his jaw. “So, you need us to escort your daughter to safety?”
Mikael and Charles looked at each other, exchanging glances.
“I don’t want to cause panic,” the ambassador said, locking eyes with Alex. “My daughter doesn’t know what’s going on and I’d like to keep it that way. I don’t want her experience here to be damaging. I think a full evacuation is best. Make it seem like it’s a routine drill.”
“On a Friday at six?” Lance said.
Alex blinked, holding up his hand to silence him. “End of day or not, we can’t sweep and evacuate this whole building. We’re four men with one mode of transportation. Where’s your battalion?”
“I have a convoy incoming from the air base,” Harris said. “They’ll take care of the lingering civilians. Your job is to secure the ambassador’s daughter.”
Alex tilted his head, shifting the rifle strapped to his back.
“I called you in because I know you’re the best man for the job.” Charles gave him a nod. “Your men can take Mr. Rush to the air evac, but I’d like you to escort me over to Lena and get us both out safely... without causing any panic. I’ll play along and follow your lead.”
Charles turned the photo around to show him a photo of a young woman with bright hazel eyes, blonde hair, and a dazzling smile. She was the kind of woman who stuck out like a tall tree in the middle of a prairie based on beauty alone.
“I know it’s a little out of the way,” Charles said. “But the threat is high, and I won’t leave without her.”
Alex wanted to tell the man to go to hell. The orders he received were to escort Pace and Rush out quick and be on his way, but one look at the man’s face made Alex hesitate. He wanted to ask questions, but now time was his enemy.
“Where is she?” Alex asked.
“East building,” Charles said. “Through the courtyard.”
He reached out, squeezing Alex’s shoulder as if they’d known each other for years and this was just a small favor. Just protect his sheltered daughter from possible Russian terrorists, no biggie.
“Okay.” Alex threw a quick look at Lance. He could tell his friend was pissed. Lance often gave him a hard time about being too soft.
He’d never hear the end of this one. “I’ll get you to her.”
“Thank you,” Charles said.
Alex gestured to his team. “My men will get Mr. Rush to safety. I’ll take Reyes and secure a path to the back building.”
Roland shifted his weight and cocked his head at Alex.
“Really?” He asked.
Alex knew Roland questioned him taking the less experienced man in the group, but Reyes has a babyface and was indeed younger. He would make the situation appear less threatening to the young woman.
“Thank you,” Charles said. “The faster we get moving, the better.”
Alex opened his mouth to respond, but a low rumble began to vibrate through the building.
It wasn’t thunder.
Three Years Later
Alex woke with a start, drenched in sweat.
His eyes darted around the room, as he tried to gain his bearings. The walls were a dull white, the lighting was soft, and he could smell the flowers sitting in a glass vase on a table across the way.
Dressing room, he reminded himself. He had fallen asleep on the couch in his client’s dressing room at the Staples Center. He was safely back to the present.
He inhaled deeply to slow his racing heart, blinking to push the dream from his mind.
It had been three years since Istanbul. Three years since he left the life of a private military contractor to settle back in the States.
In that time, he had gotten much better processing his PTSD, but sometimes it unexpectedly reached up, grabbed him, and held on tight.
He hadn’t slept in a few days, so he crashed hard on the plush couch backstage that practically lulled him to sleep.
Alex forced himself to his feet and walked to the bathroom sink. He turned on the faucet, then splashed water on his face.
He wiped his eyes and glanced at the mirror in front of him. “Get a grip,” he told his reflection.
A lasting sense of tension hung around him. He glanced at his watch, noting the time.
Ten p.m., he thought. The concert would be over soon, and he’d have to get back to work. He didn’t mean to fall asleep in the first place, and he inwardly cursed himself for doing so. He didn’t want to spend the rest of the evening in a cloud of anxiety.
It’s fine. Just another bad dream.
It was a lie he often told himself. It wasn’t just a bad dream. When Alex slept, his memories tended to torment him. Alex wanted to believe it was getting easier, that the memories would fade more as time went on, but lately his mind was trying to remind him.
It was a nagging feeling that something was coming.
He didn’t appreciate it one bit.
Alex moved back into the dressing room, then opened the door that led to the main stage. He could hear the distant cheers of adoring fans listening to their favorite pop star.
Everything else was just as it should be.
As Alex finally began to relax, an alarm began to blare down hall.