Jolie
Atlanta, GA
Monday
Ryder never came to my room.
The rejection I felt was swift and severe, but I remembered that he’d gone to check on things at the office. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. The ones that said he’d changed his mind. He didn’t want me. Didn’t want to be there for me. Didn’t want to share a life with me.
I’d seen the promises in his eyes, the ones he was too scared to say aloud. But they were there—in the way his hands caressed me, the way his lips moved against mine, the way his eyes shone with hope and love.
I loved Ryder with everything that was within me. I knew he loved me too. Whether he’d admitted that to himself yet or not remained to be seen. But he did love me. The question was—was it enough?
The shower felt heavenly against my skin. I needed to feel clean before I faced the possible heartbreak that could be before me. And if I found Ryder hard at work, well, at least I was showered and ready to go for the day. I wasn’t sure how he maintained his schedule on such little sleep.
Even before this op, Ryder seemed to catnap rather than spend full hours in a bed. I’d find him passed-out in his chair or on the couch in his office. It was a question as to whether he ever really slept in his room.
After I dressed in normal jeans and a soft, cotton shirt, I made my way to Ryder’s office. He wasn’t there, which sent a chill across my skin.
“He went to shower. He’s been up all morning. I tried to get him to get some sleep, but he refused.” Levi stood behind me, his arms crossed over his chest, one hand holding a mug of hot, steaming coffee. He nodded towards the break room. “There’s a fresh pot in there.”
“Thanks.”
I poured myself a cup. I’d never been a fan before, but since working at Shadow Force, it had become a necessity. Ryder wasn’t the only one who worked on little sleep some nights. Still, I poured in enough sugar to hype me up like a toddler on cotton candy and sipped the liquid that warmed me from the inside out.
“Good?” Levi was watching me from the door.
“Amazing.”
“What’s amazing is that you’re not a diabetic by now. I’ve never seen someone put so much sugar in their coffee.”
“Don’t judge.”
Levi grinned and led the way to the conference room.
Oscar and Cruz were already at the table. I noticed Cade and Piper were missing and wondered if she was okay.
When I walked in, they looked up and smiled. “You look better—although I could get used to that getup from last night.” Oscar’s teasing didn’t bother me. It had embarrassed me a little when he’d said those things in front of Ryder, but he’d become like a brother to me. I knew he meant no offense.
“I tell you what; I’ll let you wear that getup for a day and see what you think about it.”
Oscar laughed. “Nope. No thanks. I’ll pass.”
Ryder walked in at that moment, looking quite guilty. I quirked a brow and shot him a questioning glare.
He sat down next to me and bent close. I knew he didn’t want the others to hear, but at the moment, I couldn’t care less. I needed to hear him say the words.
“I’m sorry. You’ll understand why I never made it to your room in just a few minutes. I’m really sorry.”
I patted his cheek and smiled. “Forgiven. Now, what’s going on?”
When I looked up, every one of the badass operators around the table was grinning like a fool.
“What?”
They each cleared their throats and acted as if they were busy, but not before I heard Cruz mutter, “You both owe me fifty bucks.” That statement was followed by groans from Levi and Oscar.
I gave Ryder a “What the heck is going on?” look, but he just shook his head.
“Ryder, fill Jolie in and then let’s make some plans.”
Ryder sat up straighter in his chair and directed his attention to me. “I got a message on Sasha’s email last night from Nikolai. He wants to meet with me tonight at The Tsar’s Sombrero. Alone.”
“Wow. Did he say what he wants?”
“No. That was the full extent of the message. I’ve been trying to explain to Levi why I should follow his instructions and go alone.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Levi spoke up first. “And I’ve explained to Ryder how that isn’t going to happen, and Nikolai knows that.”
Ryder growled next to me, but I ignored him. He was doing that a lot lately. Maybe he should see someone about it.
“So, what’s the plan?”
Levi glanced at Ryder who waved Levi on with his hand. “Oscar and Cruz will go with him as backup. From the research we’ve done on the place today, it appears this must be where the Cabs and the mob do their business.”
“So, what should I do?”
Levi shot Ryder a meaningful look. And I watched the nonverbal communication between them. I stood up, shaking with anger, but trying my hardest to keep a professional appearance.
“Oh, no you don’t. I am just as much a part of this team as you are. I’m sick and tired of people telling me what I can and cannot do. This is my job. My calling.”
“She’s right, Ryder.” Levi looked guilty going against his friend and co-worker, but he was the boss and had entrusted me with this op.
“I don’t like it.”
“You don’t get to control my life, Ryder.”
He shook his head and stood. “Fine.”
Without so much as another word, he walked out of the room. I started to go after him, but Levi stopped me.
“Let him cool off. He’ll come around.”
“It’s so unfair.”
“He’s worried about you.”
“He doesn’t worry about Piper or Cruz or Oscar or Cade or you.”
“He’s not in love with us.” Cruz was the one who answered. My mouth dropped open then snapped closed with a pop. Cruz chuckled. “We’ve known it for months now, but I think it’s just dawning on Ryder. Give him some time. This is all new to him.”
I nodded and sank down in my seat. “You’ve all known?”
“Yep. Lydia and I just won quite a bit of money against these guys.”
“How?”
“Oh, we bet that you two would give in to your feelings before the op was over—and if that kiss in the parking lot last night was any indicator—”
“Not to mention the make-out scene against the wall of the hotel,” Oscar interrupted.
Oh, geez! They’d seen that? My gaze shot to Levi’s to see what he thought about that announcement, but he was just grinning, clearly enjoying it all.
“Yes, let’s not forget that. I thought I was going to have to turn a water hose on the two of you. Anyway, it’s obvious you’ve given in.”
Levi laughed and interjected. “Let’s let her off the hook, guys. Look, Jolie. We all care about Ryder. There’s been something missing in his life since he arrived. It wasn’t until you joined the team that we saw light in his eyes. I was, frankly, very worried about him. So, we’re all happy that you two have hit it off so well. Piper and Cade work together, and it hasn’t hindered their jobs. Lydia and Cruz work together as well, of course a bit differently than Piper and Cade, but together all the same. We’re family here. And we are so glad you’re a part of it.”
My eyes were filled with tears, and if I knew it wouldn’t embarrass the crap out of these big, strong men, I’d hug them and let the tears fall freely. As it was, I’d cried enough last night to last a couple of lifetimes, so I sniffed and mumbled my thanks.
“Speaking of Piper and Cade—is she okay?”
“She’s fine. Still pretty sick, so Cade is working from home so she can rest. He’s off active duty for a while.”
I was glad to know Piper was in good hands and being cared for by her adoring husband. A pang of jealousy punched me in the gut, but I ignored it. It wasn’t the time or the place.
“Now, back to the mission.” Levi motioned to a satellite map image of the bar he’d printed out and spread on the table. “We’d like you to be outside. You’ll stick out like a sore thumb inside the bar, and you could possibly be used as a distraction to Ryder. We don’t want that. However, we also don’t want an ambush from the outside when their backs are turned. Keep your eyes and ears open. The car will be parked in direct line of sight. You’ll alert Oscar if you see anything suspicious.”
“Okay. Thanks, Levi. For trusting me with this. I won’t fail you.”
“I know you won’t.”
As soon as we dismissed, I went to find Ryder. He was in his room, and when I knocked, he told me to come in. I found him lying on his bed, fully clothed, boots still on, his arms folded behind his head.
He glanced at me when I entered, and I slipped out of my shoes and curled up next to him on the bed. For a moment, I thought he’d lie there like a statue, but he relented, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and tugging me tighter against him.
“You can’t keep me from doing my job, Ryder.”
“I know.”
“I need this. And not just because I need the money or the thrill. I can’t let you stand in the way of my dreams. Regardless of how I feel about you.”
“And how is that?”
“You know how.”
Ryder sat up, letting me go but turning to face me on the bed. I sat up so we were face-to-face.
“Tell me.”
I shook my head. “You’re not ready to hear it.”
Ryder watched me, indecision warring in his beautiful blue eyes. Even though we suspected his cover was blown, we hadn’t confirmed it. Not completely. So, Ryder had kept the contacts while we’d been on the tour. It was a relief to look into the cerulean blue of his eyes. To see them uninhibited.
As if agreeing that he wasn’t ready to hear that I loved him, he leaned in and kissed me. No hands, just both of us leaning in with only our lips touching. When that wasn’t enough, Ryder lowered me to the bed, his body half covering mine.
I lost track of time, lost in the sensations of his lips, his tongue, even his teeth as the intensity grew, and we lost the gentleness, letting our passion take over. As far as distractions went, it was a good one, and I soon realized that was exactly what it was.
I pulled away and lay back on his pillow.
“Go to sleep, Ryder. You need rest.”
“I’m not sleepy.”
He sounded like a toddler arguing with his mother about bedtime. I giggled at that thought, and I pressed my hand against his chest as he tried to cover me again, to distract me with his loving ministrations.
“Go to sleep.”
Ryder sighed and fell back against the pillows. He turned us on our sides and wrapped his arms around me. Within moments he was asleep. I followed shortly after, perfectly content in the arms of the man I loved.
***
Monday night
The Tsar’s Sombrero was on the edge of an up-and-coming neighborhood in downtown Atlanta. The area was known to appeal to the millennials and other young professionals, boasting new organic and vegan restaurants, edgy martini bars, and a couple of local breweries. The Spanish/Russian bar was far enough away from the more established places that there was still a modicum of riffraff hovering about.
I’d dressed in a black tank top with black cargo pants, since my role wasn’t to be arm candy that night. I also wore comfortable Dr. Martens on my feet rather than the silly stilettos of the past few nights. It was a welcome change.
“Keep your eyes peeled. And if you see anything—I don’t care if you have doubts—if you see anything remotely suspicious, you text Oscar immediately. Okay?”
“I got it, Ryder. I don’t need it dumbed-down for me. I’d never put you guys at risk.” I knew he was more worried about me than the team, but I wanted him to see me as an equal, not a damsel in distress to be protected and coddled.
He nodded, and they disappeared inside the bar.
Twenty minutes went by with nothing happening. I was getting antsy and starting to feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. I’d thought they’d be back by now.
Just as I thought it, two men stumbled out of the bar, blood dripping from their mouths and noses. I jumped out of the car and ran to the door, peering in, but there was a second door just inside that blocked my view. The first one opened to a foyer of some sort.
If I went in and someone approached from outside, I’d leave them without notification, but clearly there was something going on inside. I could hear shouts and glass breaking. I crept to the side of the building, peering in blackened windows, hoping for a small glimpse of what was happening.
Finally, I found a place where the paint had faded, and I was able to see in. Everyone in the bar was fighting. It was an out-and-out brawl. Chairs were swung overhead, crashing into bodies. Men were tossed onto tables that smashed into splinters. Beers were emptied on the floor, their glasses shattered.
I stood back up and turned to go—and stopped, not moving, wishing I’d done what I was told and stayed in the car.
Angel Rubio stood blocking my way, and a man with a bald head, his neck covered in tattoos and air of danger surrounding him, stood next to him. I turned to go back the other way and saw two men who appeared to be Russian, if their features were to be trusted, blocking that direction.
I faced Angel and straightened my shoulders.
“Hello, Angel.”
Rubio smiled and bowed slightly in greeting. “Good evening, Ms. Jolie. It was so nice of you to accommodate us.”
“I’m so sorry, but I have no idea what you mean.” I laughed slightly, my hand going to my chest as if I was a simpering southern belle and a complete ditz.
Angel grinned wider and took two steps toward me. “I’m afraid you’ll need to come with us.”
“I’d rather not, but thank you for the invitation.”
Rubio nodded at someone behind me, and the Russian man came forward, his intent clear.
I widened my stance, keeping my hands at my sides even though my instincts and my training demanded I keep them up to protect my face. I wasn’t about to give away that I knew how to fight, though, so I stood my ground, waiting. When he was near, I rounded on him, landing a roundhouse kick to his face. While he was recovering, I moved in with two punishing blows to his gut, an uppercut to his face, and a chop to his kidney. The man fell to his knees as the other Russian approached me.
I knew I was only buying myself time, and I assumed Angel and the tattooed man were allowing this out of amusement. But if it gave me time to get away, then I’d take it. This time I kept my hands up, since my opponent was now wise to the fact that I knew what I was doing. He moved closer, and I jumped, kicking him square in the nose.
The cartilage crunched, and blood spurted in a wide arc, spraying me with the crimson substance. I wiped at my face, smearing it on the back of my hand. I turned, giving another roundhouse kick to his gut. He was unprotected since he was still protecting his nose, but as soon as my foot connected with his stomach, he grabbed it, reeling me in close.
I let him, then yanked free, bringing my hands up to his neck and pulling down, driving his face into my knee. The man looked at me, his eyes crossed as he fell backward onto the pavement.
I whirled around, my hands up near my face—and froze. Angel stood closer than before, a gun aimed at my forehead. I didn’t relax my stance. I wasn’t going down without a fight, even if he shot me in the process.
I wasn’t stupid. I knew they planned to use me to get to Ryder, and I wouldn’t allow that. I’d rather die in this alley than have Ryder in danger.
“I’m afraid you’ve just cost me two men.”
I rolled my eyes. “They’re not dead. Just knocked out.”
“You’re wrong. They are very much dead.”
Angel moved the gun away from my face and aimed at the two men on the ground, one writhing in pain; the other out cold from my knockout. He shot twice. Both bodies jerked once and were still.
I gasped as blood oozed from the wounds in their chests, pooling below their bodies.
“It was a disgrace for them to be beaten so thoroughly by a woman. Now, as I was saying, you’ve cost me two men, and I’m losing patience. Let’s go.”
He motioned with the gun past the two dead men on the ground out to the parking lot. I’d rather be shot in the back.
I glanced between the two men and turned to run.
Angel’s voice shouted behind me. “Santos, get her.”
So, the tattooed man had a name.
Santos. Holy.
Geez, these Cabs sure liked their religious allusions. The Vicar, The Angel, The Saint. If only that were true and not horribly distorted for their own sick and twisted games.
I ran like I’d never run before, but I was brought up short when Santos’s hands fisted in my hair and yanked me hard against his chest.
“Angel doesn’t want you dead. Not yet. But if I had my way, I’d snap your neck right now and not think twice.” His foul-smelling breath wafted up my nose, making me want to vomit. “Although what we have planned for you should be just as fun. I’ll have to delay my satisfaction for a while, but in the end, you’ll be begging me for mercy.”
The cold, calculating words sent trembles wracking through my body. Santos wrenched my arm up behind my back, causing me to cry out in pain. With one hand fisted in my hair and the other keeping my arm up so high and tight I thought it would snap at any moment, he marched me to a black sedan sitting in the shadows of the lot.
I hadn’t seen it drive in, which meant they must have already been there, or they’d rolled in with their lights off. That also meant I’d given away my position and my safety when I’d exited the car. They’d followed me to the alley—expected me to be there.
It had all been a trap. I prayed Ryder was okay.
The thought sent a new sort of panic through me, and I fought. With the back of my head, I rammed into Santos’s face. He cried out, releasing me immediately—the reflex of being hit in the nose was impossible to control.
I spun around and launched a kick at his groin, then took off running to the bar. I had to reach Ryder. I had to see if he was okay.
The ground exploded beside me, sending chunks of rock spewing in all directions. I stopped and turned. Angel stood with a gun pointed at my knee.
“I won’t kill you. Vicario has asked for you to be delivered to him alive. But I will cripple you. Get in the car.” He pointed at the car with the gun, then quickly swung it back at my knee.
I could see he was serious. I had no interest in spending the next few days in captivity with my kneecap blown off. I lifted my hands in surrender and walked back to the car. Santos was recovering from my assault. He stood to his full height—which wasn’t very tall, but he was still taller than me.
“Puta!” He spat his blood in my face and followed it with his balled-up fist connecting with my cheekbone. I’d never been hit like that. I’d sparred with Ryder and some of the other guys, but I’d always had headgear on, and their hits were never meant to harm.
The blow cocked my head to the side, and the world spun for a moment, and then it all went black.