NICK THREW THE door open with a bang and dropped his bag on the floor, glad to be home even if it was 1:00 a.m. California time, and his body clock was all jacked up. Micah entered right behind him and headed straight for the refrigerator. They hadn’t slept much since taking Janus Wednesday night. They were anxious to get home, waiting for approval while they wrapped up mission specifics. Something lurked in Janus’s eyes as they flew her back to the States. He wondered what she had up her sleeve and dreaded finding out. Nick doubted he would truly be able to rest until he held Kaylan in his arms and knew she was safe.
Nick trudged to his room and flipped the light on. Something shiny glinted on his pillow. His heart stopped.
Slowly Nick walked to his bed. He picked up Kaylan’s engagement ring and noticed the letter beneath it. He tore into the envelope.
Nick,
Please know that if I had any other option I would have taken it. The men have Megan. They said no police and no SEALs, and I can’t lose another friend. I’m to meet them at Imperial Beach Pier at midnight Friday. I left a letter with Logan. I also asked Nina to give me thirty minutes before she called the FBI. Know that I love you. Know that I want a lifetime with you. And know that I couldn’t live with myself or with you if I didn’t do what I see you do every day—fight for someone else. I pray that you will be able to place this ring on my finger again, but I would rather you have it than the men I go to meet. I don’t know what will happen. I can only pray you get home in time. Find me, Nick. Please.
Love,
Kaylan
She left an hour ago. They could find her. The trail would still be fresh.
He sprinted to the kitchen, tossing the letter to Micah. “Janus got to the girls. I don’t know how, but she did.”
Micah scanned the letter quickly, then reached for his cell and dialed Logan. Nick heard a heated exchange and rapid-fire instructions as he ran to his room and reached under his bed for the box containing his pistol.
Micah appeared in his doorway. “Logan already called the FBI. They found Nina’s car and Kaylan’s phone in the sand before the trail ends near Imperial Beach Pier. I told Logan to call the rest of the team and tell them to meet us at the base.”
Nick listened while loading his gun.
Micah continued. “We can’t do this. Legally we can’t chase down these terrorists on American soil. We can’t shoot them or harm them, and if we do, it better be in self-defense. This is FBI territory. But if they hurt my sister or Megan . . . ” Micah shook his head. “I won’t care about the consequences at that point. I’ll kill them.”
Nick met Micah’s eyes. Even in Haiti he’d never seen Micah so wound tight or angry.
“Me first.” He shoved past his best friend, grabbed his keys, and moved to the door.
Micah followed, still filling Nick in on his phone conversation. “Logan says the Feds are looking for abandoned houses or boat docks in the area that might be used as a holding cell. We need to get back to the base and Janus before her flight leaves. If she knows something or even the girls’ exact location, we will be able to find them faster.”
Micah stopped at the door to Nick’s Jeep. “You know this could end our career if it goes south, right?”
Nick didn’t look at Micah. “Let’s make sure it doesn’t go south.”
“Good, then. As long as we’re clear.”
They climbed into the Jeep, and the engine roared to life. Nick peeled out of the driveway.
Normally the wind cooled Nick’s mood. It made him think of days on the ocean, surfing, sailing, throwing the baseball and Frisbee with his dad. But today it pushed him along. Hurry. Hurry.
He swerved into a parking spot and jumped from the Jeep, his feet landing on gritty cement. Micah appeared at his side, his face etched with controlled rage. Janus had done the unthinkable from captivity. She’d taken one of their own.
Seconds later Colt, Titus, and Jay climbed from their cars on either side, and together they entered the base, a solid wall of enraged SEALs.