Delta Recon (SEAL Team Phantom Series, Book 2) (18 page)

Mo shrugged. “There are several restaurants on site. Usually I just order and someone delivers it.”

Damn. He hadn’t thought of that complication. “I’ll speak with Reece, but you two do not leave the suite, and don’t let anyone in. Promise me.”

They both agreed, then he and Jaqui were making their way back down. He verified the delivery of food would go through Reece, and that it was done via computer ordering so nobody would know who was in the suite. Tay figured it was as good as he could make it, and left with a nod to the bodyguard. Before they went back to valet to get the SUV, he tugged Jaqui into a packed bar and grill.

“Are you hungry, too?” She asked looking around.

Bending close he explained about switching the cars and that Oz was picking them up. Her eyes widened. Relief washed over her features. “What about the twins? Is there going to be extra security on them?”

Tay was pretty sure there was more than just Reece watching, especially since this was a drug trafficking case with possible connections on U.S. soil. Other agencies than just he and his team had interests in the cartel. However, he didn’t want to freak Jaqui out.

“I’m sure there are more than just that hulk guarding them, not to mention, it’ll take more than a casual stroll to reach that suite. You and I are going to make sure they see us leave, but we’re not going to get into a vehicle that could’ve been compromised.” Tay spoke only the truth, knowing she’d see a lie.

As she stared him in the eye, he held his breath. Her nod of acceptance eased his fears slightly. Still, he had a knowing sense of doom he couldn’t shake.

“Let’s do this and get it over with.” Jaqui chewed her bottom lip as she pulled away.

He tenderly tucked her into his side. “Stay next to me, sunshine. I know you can take care of yourself, but humor me.”

****

F
ear and love stole all the oxygen from her lungs. The man was truly one in a million, and she wasn’t sure if she was worthy. It took all her resolve to allow Tay to take the lead, knowing he would also take a bullet for her. Jose Medellin might keep her alive to play with her, but he’d kill Tay and any other man on principle. She knew he’d want to get her back in order to make an example of her. What that example would be is a mystery, but she had no doubt it would be full of pain and humiliation. Shivers wracked her at the thoughts swirling around her head.

The closer they got to the entrance, the more she became aware of her surroundings. Every person around her became a threat in her mind. It would be all too easy for one of the kingpin’s thugs to open fire, killing anyone who stepped in his way. However, that wouldn’t make the bastard feel as though he’d gotten his revenge, and everyone knew he wanted payback. Now, they were waiting for him to make his next move since he’d made sure she was in Vegas, instead of safely tucked away in Hawaii where she was surrounded by military personnel.

Stepping outside, the bright sun blinded her for a minute and she closed her eyes against the sunlight, giving her a chance to adjust. “Damn it. I must’ve left my sunglasses up in the suite.”

Tay squeezed her hand. “Oz is here.” He pointed at a large SUV that looked nothing like the one they’d rented pulling up with tinted windows.

“How do you know that’s Oz?” She eased back, sucking in a deep breath of hot humid air.

He showed her the screen of his phone with an image of Oz next to the vehicle, then one of the man sitting inside flipping Tay the bird. “The man is insane.”

“Wasn’t it you and he who jumped out of a perfectly good airplane?” Tay’s low growled words had her stopping before she reached the vehicle.

“Well, yeah, but that was because he dared me to.” She wasn’t sure why he was freaking out over something she and Oz had done a couple years back. Heck, she loved extreme sports of all kinds. Well, she was marking off running with the bulls even though it hadn’t officially been on her list of things to do before she died.

Tay opened the back door, glaring at her while she climbed in. She waited for him to climb into the front beside Oz, then he turned around. “So, you do whatever someone dares you?” Heat flared in his blue eyes. “Well yeehaw, sunshine. I’ll be sure to remember that little factoid.”

Oh, she wasn’t sure she liked the way he said those words, nor the gleam in his eyes. “Of course not. I mean I love to skydive, Tay.”

Again, she didn’t understand his anger.

“Skydiving is where you have a chute. You and jackass here jumped out of a plane with nothing.” He jerked his thumb toward Oz.

“Hey, we were over a large body of water,” Oz laughed.

“Shut it, Oz. I still don’t understand why the hell you dared her in the first place.” Tay turned to face the front, flipping the visor down so he could meet Jaqui’s eyes.

Oz shrugged his big shoulders. “At the time, I thought it would be a great ice breaker.”

Jaqui really needed to get the conversation off of that time. She’d turned Oz down because she’d had a thing for Tay. She’d just been too scared at the time to admit it to him or anyone how she felt. It was shortly after that she’d decided it was time to reach out and take what she wanted. Which wasn’t Oz, although the man was sex on a stick, he wasn’t it for her.

“What’s the plan?” She hated the idea they needed one, but better to be proactive, than blindsided.

Oz and Tay exchanged glances.

“Excuse me assholes, but I am part of the team. Remember, I’m the one he kidnapped and beat. I’m the one whose parents were targeted. Don’t fucking think to leave me out.” She got louder with each word.

“Is that what you think we’re doing?” Tay turned in his seat.

“Clearly. I mean look at you both. Do you not think I can see he was checking with you before he answered? I’m far from stupid, Tay.” She could tell her words angered him.

“Do you have any idea what kind of hell I faced when I saw you lying beneath that jaguar?” he demanded. “I have fucked up so many times in my life, but none so much as with you. I never want to face that same deep fear as I did back in Columbia.” There was so much feeling reflected in his tone and features, she wanted to reach out and reassure him she’d never put him through that again. However, they were both in the Navy and couldn’t make promises like that.

She swallowed the instant denial. “Tay, I would never intentionally put myself in the hands of a madman, or in danger. You know that some things can’t be prevented. Like the fact you and I are both in professions that put us in danger occasionally.” Granted, she’d never thought to be in the position she’d been.

Tay reached back, his large tan hand had a slight tremor. “I know, and that kills me.”

“So help me. Don’t keep me in the dark and make me an easy target,” her voice came out a choked whisper.

“I love you, Jaqui. I’ll do my best.” His voice came out a deep growl, sending a shiver down her spine.

“That’s all I ask.” Hating the wobble, she squeezed his fingers before letting go.

Oz drove them to her parents place without asking for directions, amazing her since she didn’t think he knew where they lived. The man must’ve gotten the info on the way from Hawaii. Sometimes she was a little scared at the information the SEALs could get, and memorize in a short amount of time. It hit home again why she was not cut out to be one.

Another military issue vehicle sat in the circle drive, looking completely out of place. “Boys and their toys,” she mumbled, hopping out without thought for her safety.

“Damn it, Jaqui. Why can’t you wait for me to open your door?”

She rolled her eyes. “You mean shield me with your body?”

“She’s got you there, cowboy.” Oz tossed the keys in the air as he strolled to the door.

“Shut up,” Tay barked and moved her forward with a big hand at her back. Her world had been turned upside down in the last few months, if not the last two years. She put her hand on her stomach, the loss hit her again.

“Are you sick?” Tay looked at her face and where she rested her hand, concern written on his face.

“Oh, no. I’m fine. Well, as fine as someone who is being stalked by a psycho drug dealer.” She added a little laugh to make it sound like a joke. In truth her stomach was churning.

They walked inside to find the rest of Tay’s team in her parents’ kitchen. Kai stood as they entered.

“Hey, how are your mom and dad?” She could see the concern on Kai’s face.

She filled them in on the latest update for both parents, then heaved a heavy sigh. “Alright, what’s the plan?”

Again, the men looked to Tay before answering her. She tapped her foot, seriously thinking of ways to throat punch each and every one of them simultaneously.

“She’s got that look, boss,” Coyle spoke up.

Sully nodded. “Just so you know, I think you can totally handle it.”

Tay scowled at the two men. “Where did you two’s balls go?” He looked around the room.

Sully grabbed his crotch. “I know exactly where my balls are, and I don’t have any designs to have a pint sized dynamo kick them into my throat.”

“Hey, I only did that on accident, Sully.” Jaqui walked over to the gorgeous man with piercing green eyes. With his mixed heritage, he had the best of both worlds. A gorgeous complexion, full lips that made women drool, and eyes that were a shade of green she’d only seen in movies. And, he was a flirt of the worst kind. They’d ran into each other at a nightclub in Honolulu. Never one to actually go out much, she’d let her hair down and drank a little too much. When a man had cornered her near the ladies’ room, she had tried to get away, only to run into another solid form. Her fight instinct had kicked in, making her knee the unknown assailant. Only it had been Sully coming to her rescue when he’d realized she’d drank too much.

“Why do I feel like everyone has secrets and stories with Jaqui?” Tay scowled at the room as if expecting them to admit he was correct.

Heat suffused her face. “Don’t change the subject.” She rounded the center island, opening the fridge the cool air felt good. Grabbing a bottle of water, she held it up for Tay to see. “Want a drink?”

“Yeah. Thanks.” He came and took the bottle, pressing a quick kiss to her temple.

Jaqui sat down at the table and looked at the men surrounding her. Without the presence of her mom banging around, trying to create a meal for their guests, it felt wrong.

Half listening to the information they’d gathered, she realized her phone was in her bag and got up to check for messages. A gasp left her lips at the sight of several texts from Nettie.

“Shit,” she whispered. Her hand shook as she called Nettie’s cell. She felt the men in the room stand, the attention on her.

“Jaq, I think we’re in trouble. When our order came up, Mo said that something seemed off. Now, I can’t get her to wake up, and I’m scared.” Nettie had tears in her voice.

“Is she breathing?”

A deep inhale could be heard through the line. “Yeah. And her heart seems to be beating normally. I think they put something in the food. I hadn’t eaten anything yet. My stomach was in knots, and then Shep called, so I stepped outside to talk with him. When I came back in, she was slumped over on the couch. I’m scared, Jaqui.”

She felt like every fear was exposed. First her parents, now her two beautiful cousins were targeted. All because of her.

“Hey, it’s not your fault, baby.” Tay told her then took the phone, pressing the speaker button.

“Have you alerted Reece that something was wrong?” Tay asked Nettie.

Nettie’s whimper had Jaqui’s heart breaking for the other woman. “I tried calling Jaqui first, and sent her a text. I was too scared to send him anything. He might be in on it.”

“Good girl. You did the right thing. We’re on our way. If something changes with Mo, and you feel you need to call an ambulance, do it,” Kai said, his tone even. “Keep this line open and be sure to answer when I call back. Most importantly don’t let anyone up there except me and Jaqui. Is there any place you can get you and your sister into that has a lock? Some place that will put an extra door or two between you and the elevator?”

Jaqui pictured Nettie frantically searching and then she remembered the tour. “Nettie, take her to Alan’s room. I know for a fact his door had a huge deadbolt and it was open. Get in there, lock the door, and push a dresser in front of the door. Do it now.”

Kai nodded.

The guys were standing, pulling on their weapons she had noticed lying next to them. Tay had a strained look.

“You want to order me to stay here, yet you don’t feel it’s safe. I see it written so clearly on your face. FYI, not gonna happen, big guy.” She stood and held her hand out.

With reluctance he nodded, but didn’t stop her as she rushed to get her own gun and ammo in place. She will gut the fucker if he so much as touches a hair on either one of her cousins.

They loaded up in the two vehicles. She sat in back of the one Oz had picked them up in with Tay up front, while Kai, Sully and Coyle drove the other. The speed they drove out of the gated community would probably make it into the monthly online paper, but she truly gave no fucks in that moment.

“Call and see if your cousin was able to do what you told her to do. I don’t know how much or what drug the other one was given, but hopefully it wasn’t too much and she will wake up soon.” Kai navigated the roads like an expert.

As they came to a rocking stop at the entrance, all eyes turned toward them. Kai’s commanding presence had the guy stepping up to tell them they couldn’t park there, backing off with a look of awe on his face. “Touch either vehicle, and I’ll have your ass thrown so far inside a cell, nobody will find you.” The threat said in such a low tone had the hair on her nape standing up. Yeah, she totally understood why he was the one in charge.

Tay kept her between him and Coyle, Oz and Sully brought up the rear while Kai was in the lead. Inside the casino the patrons, for the most part, didn’t pay the heavily armed individuals marching past hardly any attention. Clearly they had seen much weirder things.

At the bottom of the elevator, Jaqui expected to find the bear of a man Reece. What she found was an unmanned elevator, making her heart sink. “Reece should be here. We haven’t been gone but an hour or so,” she whispered loudly.