Ajax was far less concerned about Serena’s part in this mission as he and Ryker followed her to the rendezvous point the following morning. He couldn’t be entirely sure about Charley’s motives, but he no longer believed there was any chance Serena harbored ill-intent.
The three of them had packed light, leaving their suitcases in storage at the hotel, carrying only what they could fit in a backpack. Ajax had no idea when they might return to Addis Ababa, but packing for an indefinite length of time to an unknown location was not unheard of for him. He’d done it dozens of times.
When he’d stood in the doorway to Serena’s room this morning, watching her pull together her own backpack, he realized she too was not a stranger to this sort of mission.
His chest had tightened, wondering what this woman had seen and experienced in her fourteen years living in this country.
As they wandered through the crowded side streets in the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Serena eventually paused to speak to a teenager, who nodded and started walking down a narrow alley.
Serena didn’t hesitate to follow him, so Ajax held his tongue as he glanced at Ryker.
Of the two of them, Ryker was more skeptical. In fact, he’d pointed out early that morning that he hoped Ajax’s ability to evaluate their danger level today wouldn’t be clouded by his obvious attraction for their female tour guide.
Ajax had shot him a glare from the bathroom doorway, making Ryker lift both hands in surrender. “Just sayin’, man.”
“You have nothing to worry about from me,” Ajax had responded defensively.
That furrowed brow Ryker had sported from the moment they’d gotten up hadn’t gone away. If anything, it was more intense and skeptical.
Ajax couldn’t blame him. This entire mission was far too mysterious for either of them to let their guard down, but he also knew neither of them would turn back. If there was even the slimmest chance their brothers were still alive and being held captive somewhere, they needed to follow every single lead they had, starting with trusting Serena.
The boy hurried to a door and pushed it open. After stepping inside, he held it wide for the rest of them to pass.
Ajax controlled his breathing as he followed directly behind Serena down a short hallway and then up a narrow flight of stairs to the second floor. There were several doors on that floor, and the teenager who’d guided them to this location didn’t stay with them. He pointed at a door and then took off.
Serena knocked and seconds later, it opened.
Ajax’s brows shot up when he found the person on the other side of the door was a woman. That shouldn’t have shocked him, but it did anyway. Thick blond hair pulled back in a low ponytail, loose tendrils falling around her face. Golden-brown eyes that were narrowed just enough to indicate her intensity.
She didn’t say a word as she stood back and ushered them all into what turned out to be an apartment. A small meager one. Ajax didn’t get the impression it belonged to this woman.
She finally spoke after she shut the door, reaching out a hand. “I’m Xena. You must be Ajax?” She shook Ryker’s hand next. “And Ryker?” Lastly, she reached for Serena. “And Serena.”
They all nodded.
Xena pointed at a small table with four mismatched chairs. “Sit.” She handed them all a bottle of water without asking as they each dropped their packs and claimed a spot at the table.
“Cut to the chase,” Ryker stated, scowling.
Xena shot him a glare that Ajax assumed would make most people cower. She hadn’t met Ryker before.
Ryker rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Listen, woman, we’re here for one reason and one reason only, and that’s to find the rest of our team and rescue them from God knows who. I assume they’re being held by either Ethiopian or Eritrean militants. That’s if any of this intel is even legit.”
“It’s legit,” Xena informed him. She set her elbows on the table and met Ryker’s gaze dead-on. “No need to get defensive. And I’d rather you called me by my name instead of woman. I don’t respond kindly to condescension.”
Ryker followed suit, setting his elbows on the table, and leaned toward her. “Pardon me for my skepticism, Xena, but my brother and I have spent the last three months being lied to. We are in no mood for games, and so far this entire mysterious mission has been nothing but a giant game in which we’re the pawns and we don’t even know who the puppet master is. If you have details that will help us find the rest of our team, spill them. If your job is to kill us both in order to ensure we’re no longer a liability, get on with that now. No sense prolonging the inevitable.”
Xena flinched. “I can assure you no one means you harm.”
Ryker leaned closer to emphasize his response. “And I can assure you, I don’t trust anyone.”
Ajax set a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Let’s listen to what Xena has to say.”
Ryker slowly leaned back in his seat, twisted off the lid to his water bottle, sniffed the contents, touched the edge with his tongue to taste it first, and then took a swig.
Xena rolled her eyes. “I’m not here to kill you. Rein it in, big guy.” She turned her attention to Serena. “Did you have any trouble getting here?”
“No.”
“Anyone follow you?”
“Not that I know of.”
Ajax cleared his throat. “No one fucking followed us.” He was a Goddamn SEAL. He’d kept his eye on his surroundings the entire time they’d been on the move.
“Good.” She turned toward Ryker and then back at the group as a whole. “Now, to answer your first question, the six other members of your team have been split into two groups.”
Ajax groaned. He didn’t like this at all. It implied that he and Ryker would need to divide and conquer. Never the best option if it could be avoided.
“Yeah. Not ideal,” Xena admitted, “but it can’t be helped. Our intel suggests that your squad was set up that day three months ago. The Ethiopian rebels knew precisely where you’d be and when. They were to kill all of you. The problem was, the bombs planted in that building blew just before you breached it. So they decided to take all eight of you as prisoners. They obviously had no idea about the second squad, your backup.”
Ajax inhaled slowly, trying not to react. He needed to remain sharp and listen to everything Xena had to say.
“You never stood a chance. You were surrounded. It was all carefully planned. The moment that bomb went off, the militants moved in and captured the six men who were standing. The two of you were dead weight and they didn’t have time to haul off dead or injured bodies.”
Ajax glanced at Serena who was focused on Xena and didn’t flinch. She was not a stranger to this type of conversation. For some reason, he hated that for her.
Xena continued, “A band of Eritrean militants weren’t far behind and the two groups got into a squabble, eventually agreeing to divide their spoils—so to speak. The Ethiopians took four of your men. The Eritreans took two.”
“Shit,” Ryker muttered.
“Like I said, not ideal. And we need to rescue both groups at the same time or risk the others being killed.”
Ajax nodded. “Of course. Great.”
Xena stood and headed to the kitchen counter, returning moments later with two files. She and Serena spoke in what must’ve been the local language before setting one in front of Ajax. She kept the other. “The two of you will head to the Eritrean camp in the desert. The details, your connections and meeting points, are all in this file.” She glanced at Ryker. “Ryker and I will head to the Ethiopian camp in the mountains.”
Ryker groaned. “Great.”
Xena slapped her hand on the table and leaned in close to him. “An attitude adjustment would be perfect right about now. I’m here to fucking help you. How about you thank me instead of acting like I’m the one who is going to slow us down?” She glanced at his beltline and accused, “Looks like you’ve been enjoying the comforts of home this past three months.”
He smirked. “Can you flip me onto my back and pin me to the floor like Serena over there?”
Her grin was just shy of evil. “And then some. Care to find out?”
He chuckled sardonically. “Not right now, sweetheart. Maybe later.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Again, my name is Xena.”
Ajax kept his palm flat on the file without opening it yet. “Wait.” He reached out and gripped Serena’s forearm. “No offense, but surely you don’t intend to go with us?” He addressed both Xena and Serena.
Serena jerked her arm out of his grip and turned toward him. “Did you want me to flatten you on your back again?”
He sighed and rubbed his temples. “Look, I have no doubt about your ability to defend yourself against a would-be civilian attacker, but no way am I taking a civilian—woman or man—into a combat situation with me. I’d spend all my time worrying about you, and we’d both get killed.”
Serena crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze, glaring at him. “You have no choice, Ajax.” She yanked the file out from under his other hand and opened it.
He sighed while she scanned the top few pages before tapping the map on the third page. “See this? This right here?”
He reluctantly glanced down. “It’s a map,” he pointed out unnecessarily.
“Uh-huh. A map of the region of this country that I know well and you don’t. That’s why I’m here. That’s why you and I are going after the Eritrean troops holding your squad members.” She leaned forward and tapped his chest. “You need me.”
He was pretty sure his nostrils flared, but he kept his mouth shut. She was undoubtedly correct. And he hated it.
Xena shoved off the table and headed for the counter again, returning with two SAT phones. She handed one to Serena. “Cell service sucks just about everywhere. You’ll need to keep this off as much as possible to preserve the battery and avoid being detected, but I included a list of times we should attempt to make contact over the next few days. If one of us is unable to respond at a designated time, try to be available the next time so we won’t worry.”
Serena nodded and stuffed the SAT phone in her backpack.
Xena still hadn’t handed the file in her hand to Ryker, and she didn’t look inclined to do so either.
Ryker was scowling at her again.
“We need to get moving,” Xena announced. She headed toward the door. “I could only secure this location for a short time.” She glanced at Ajax. “You two have a driver two blocks east of here. Black car. Driver has a blue ball cap on. Get in the car without a word. He’ll take you to a helipad. You’re going to need a lift into that region of the country.”
Ajax stood and grabbed his pack as Xena set her hand on the doorknob. She wasn’t wasting any time. He turned toward Ryker whose teeth were gritted. Ajax grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him in for a manly hug, slapping him on the back. “Don’t get dead. I can’t take it a second time.”
“You either, brother. I’m looking forward to slamming back quite a few beers together when this is over. You better fucking be alive.”
“I will.” Ajax turned toward Serena who had her pack on and was ready at the door. “Let’s do this,” he stated. He glanced back one more time at his brother and nodded. Emotion welled up inside him.
They were completely at the mercy of these two women, and there wasn’t a damn thing either of them could do about it but pray they got out of this alive and rescued the rest of their team in the meantime. No other option was acceptable.