Chapter Three
Two Days Later
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Chance Evans leaned back and swept his eyes over the lavish hotel in downtown Abu Dhabi.
Even “closed for construction” as the sign outside proclaimed, it was way more opulent than anything he was used to in the States.
He was more of a cheeseburger-and-beer kind of guy, but this place was definitely steak and scotch.
All this wealth? It made him antsy. For the thousandth time since the Titan Group’s jet had touched down in the Emirates, Chance wondered how the hell Jared Westin, the man, the myth, the legend—also known as his employer—had ever thought Chance was made for this kind of lifestyle.
Abu Dhabi was a far cry from the shit he had to slog through while in the Army and an even bigger step away from his humble country upbringing in southwestern Virginia, in a house that was about as middle-of-nowhere as one could get east of the Appalachians.
Honestly, he couldn’t see how anyone on the Aces team fit in with the swank and sizzle of a city so glitzy that the call to prayer bellowed from a mosque that could have doubled as a palace.
Then again, some of his teammates had worked in espionage, while others had been on assignments in exotic locations.
He’d, more or less, been a grunt like his friend Liam, who’d also joined Titan’s newest covert team.
Whatever it was that had prompted Jared to offer Chance the opportunity, he was grateful, and even if he was a fish out of water, he would make it work. Once he got used to this place, he would be fine. It had been almost a year, so… any day now.
He walked through the magnificent lobby, with its arched doorways and colorful frescos, to what had once been the hotel’s reception area.
It would be so again, but unknown to the public, the walls would be armored and the glass bulletproof.
Somewhere in the middle of the skyscraping towers that would again one day house tourists and business travelers was a central command center shaping up to be Titan’s Abu Dhabi Headquarters.
It’d be state of the art, with at least one floor dedicated as a central nerve center. Several floors would include suites that were actually impenetrable safe-house locations—everything the elite team of agents needed to provide security for their clients on this side of the world.
A film of dust lightly coated the marble floor as the most technical construction crew that Chance had ever come across ran wires into the walls and ceiling.
He eyed them and then saw Parker Black, the Titan Group’s Director of Intelligence, scowling at blueprints.
The large papers were laid across a makeshift table, and Parker’s brow knit as he spoke with one of his many construction-security consultant minions.
With nothing much to do, Chance ambled over. “Working on the death rays today?”
The security minion wasn’t amused, stepping from Parker and scurrying away to wait by the far wall.
“I didn’t even get a smile.” Chance grimaced dramatically. “I don’t think they like me.”
He snickered as he glanced from the schematic. “They don’t like to socialize.”
“They seem like a bunch of spooks.”
Parker shrugged. “What are you up to?”
Now it was Chance’s turn to shrug. If he had to be honest, he was up to a shit-ton of nothing. “If not death rays, then what?”
Parker laughed. “Right now, we’re in a holding pattern. Everything’s hurry up and wait.”
“Sounds familiar.” Army life had been the same, though new orders always seemed somewhere on the horizon.
Even post-Army, as a contractor, downtime hadn’t existed unless he wanted it to.
Right now, no one needed anything from Chance.
Their team was still forming, and the jobs weren’t lined up.
They spent more time training and working out than jumping into battle zones. That was probably why he was antsy.
“You look bored.” Parker rolled the large paper and tucked it into a long, black container.
“Yup, you nailed it.”
“Something’s in the pipeline. But until then, Hagan’s running the stairs in the west tower if you’re that bored.”
“Ha. Not bored enough to sprint up staircases.” Though the day was looking bright if the possibility of a job loomed. “If a gig is coming, I’ll stick close. Maybe grab some grub and people watch.”
“If you returned with muhammara or moutabel from the restaurant across the street, I wouldn’t turn it away.”
“Sounds fancy,” he joked.
“Better than that shit you keep upstairs in your kitchen.”
“Don’t knock my canned food stash.” Though, he would have killed for a burger and fries.
Boots thundered down the hall, and Chance turned as Jared stormed into the lobby. He paused, glowering like he’d woken up on the wrong side of the bed every day of the last decade. Then he nodded to Parker.
“Boss Man,” Parker said as way of greeting.
“Both of you.” Jared glared at Chance and threw a thumb over his shoulder. “Get into the office.” Then he pulled out his phone, barking similar orders as he stormed away.
“Glad to see he’s all piss and vinegar today,” Chance muttered with a half-cocked grin.
Parker signaled to the security consultant that he’d be back and then slapped Chance on the back. “That, my friend, is what you get for being bored.”
A little work? Chance snorted. “I’ll take it.”
They filed behind the reception desk and through the door to their makeshift office. It was nothing more than a few chairs and a bare desk holding a laptop.
Parker moved to the computer, and Chance pulled up a chair as a sweat-soaked Hagan walked in, guzzling a bottle of water.
The other men filtered in as Jared reappeared.
He took his position at the head of the improvised table and leaned back in his chair.
His dark, laser-focused gaze landed on Parker.
“It looks like we’ll have to put our little redecorating job on hold. ”
“Looks like,” Parker said.
Chance sat on the edge of his seat. Welcome anticipation surged in his chest. They were finally getting away from the wealth and privilege.
Boss Man cracked his knuckles. “There’s a civilian rescue in order.”