Chapter Forty-Four

It didn’t take long for Lena to realize these people were more than just co-workers. They were a family. They might not share the same genes, but they shared a bond that went deeper than DNA.

She saw the way Colton clasped Dane’s shoulder. The unspoken communication between them. One father telling another it was okay, and they knew what the other was going through.

A rush of envy shook her. How much easier it would have been if she’d had someone to talk to, or to pat her on the shoulder and tell her it was okay.

She met Dane’s gaze and she realized she now had him. If anyone knew what she was feeling, it was Dane. He was in the same situation, worried for his child, but forced to keep going.

Giving up wasn’t an option, and if these people were willing to face Viktor Kulakov outnumbered and against orders, she would gratefully accept their aid. And she’d do whatever she could to help.

Glancing around at the muscles and firepower in the room made her feel inadequate. Would she be able to help, or would she just be in the way? She’d only ever touched a gun once in her life and it had been that day.

The thought of turning into that cowardly mouse who hid in the corner made tears come to her eyes, but she managed to keep them from falling.

She’d learned from the first night after Kenzie was taken that curling up in a ball and letting the grief and worry claim her, didn’t help the situation. Not if she wanted to save her daughter.

Now was her chance to do something. She wasn’t a helpless mouse hiding in the corner any longer. She was a vicious warrior, determined to get her child back safe and sound.

Like a choreographed routine, the team members each took a turn sharing intel and offering suggestions. Angel was tapping on her laptop keyboard, giving answers to questions as they were asked. Justin took down notes in a notebook and assigned tasks to the people on the team.

“If you have anything to add, just jump in and say it,” Dane whispered to her. “This is fact gathering, and you may have some piece of information we still need.”

“I’ll help wherever I can,” she promised and turned back to the group. She would tell this team everything she could to help their mission. They would not fail because she didn’t reveal one of Kulakov’s secrets.

Unfortunately, he had never trusted her enough to allow her into his inner circle where she might have learned something that would actually be helpful. She was shocked by how much the team knew already, but then, Colton had lived and worked undercover for Kulakov for almost two years. He had been in deep and knew Viktor well.

Right up until Viktor knew Colton too well, and had him shot and left for dead.

“Your daughter will call you tomorrow?” Justin said, shaking her from her thoughts. “Do you video chat?”

“Yes.” And Lena’s heart would break into even smaller pieces when her daughter asked if she was coming for her. At least she knew the answer wasn’t a lie anymore. She would be coming. And it really would be soon.

“Can you record the call so can we can take a look at the background?”

“Of course.”

The man, Justin, didn’t glare at her this time. He was all business. She appreciated his efficiency. Despite how he might feel about her personally, it was clear he wouldn’t allow his emotions to jeopardize the mission.

She looked around the busy table. The marshals were passing around photos, making notes, and pointing out flaws and strengths. The intensity level in the room kept rising as they fed off each other’s ideas.

One person threw out a suggestion and the next person took that and improved on it, or pointed out a weakness.

Colton ran a cable from the large television on the wall over to Angel’s laptop. She nodded and connected the line.

“Okay. I just hacked into the satellite. I’m moving it now, so we’ll have visual in a few minutes on both of the kids’ suspected locations.”

Lena swallowed. How had this happened? The salon manager from Miami was in a room with soldiers and space pirates.