Ice (Elite Forces #1)(27)

Kaleb and I are left alone in the house. I want to know what he's  thinking, but won't ask. Instead I say, "So what do you say? Feel like  going to Alabama?"





CHAPTER THIRTEEN


KALEB




Hell, yes, I want to go to Alabama with her. I want nothing more than to  spend time with her away from all of the stress we're dealing with, but  I have a job. The orders came in this morning, and it's something that  needs to be done now. It won't take more than a day, but I have to  handle it myself. In all honestly, I should've done it before I ever  drove to see her, but I had reached my limit of not knowing how she was  doing.

"I'd love to meet you there. I can be there tomorrow." Her smile falters  just slightly, but she attempts to hide it. I like that she wants me to  come with her, and it just sends a fire inside me to get there even  sooner. She's so fucking beautiful. I thought that in the pictures,  which were no comparison to her in the desert and now seeing her in  civilian clothes with her hair down, which makes me just want to wrap my  hands into that hair. She's wearing more makeup than usual, which I  could go either way with. She has a natural beauty that doesn't need  enhanced as far as I'm concerned.

"Okay. I'll send you the exact address and you can come later." I move  in on her as she starts to talk. She's mine. She just made it official,  and I want to take her into my arms and celebrate the best way we know  how, but that'll have to wait. Her slight smile has me hopeful that this  trip will be the breakthrough we both need. And Christ, she looks so  much better than the last time I saw her. Her color is back. Her spark  that drives me crazy, even her attitude is different. Everything about  her strikes me straight to my chest.

"I'll be there as soon as I finish up some loose ends …  And then I'm all  yours." Pulling her closely against my body reminds me of how perfectly  we fit together.

"I'll be waiting!" She seems relaxed and at peace in this moment. I  can't help but notice her arms around my waist, sliding lower until her  hands are full of my ass cheeks. She gives them a squeeze, then kisses  me on the lips before she pulls away. "I'd better get out there." Her  beautiful eyes light up when she speaks.                       
       
           



       

"I have to go anyway. I'll see you soon." I lay my forehead against hers for a mere second, then kiss that same spot.

We both walk outside, and I watch her get into the truck before I get  into my driver's seat. She's so different here at home now that she's  had a few days to herself. I had no idea how much I'd love that.

They pull away, and I'm not a block down the road before she sends me a  text with the address of his ranch. I feel the adrenaline begin to  surface with the thought of what this weekend could bring for us. It  should be a great time, and I'm hoping that firecracker Mallory keeps  Harris busy.

Seeing her tell him in person is really the best gift she could've given  me. I wanted him to know that what I told him on the airplane wasn't me  just being delusional. She said it with her own mouth now, so he will  respect that. He is a man of honor and respect; even though we haven't  seen eye-to-eye on Jade, I get where he's coming from.

I'm glad she has someone like that to watch over her, even though he won't need to do that any longer.

I drive the few hours thinking about her. Once I pull in at the office, I  see Kase's truck is here, so I know I'm late to our meeting. He's  already turned everything on by the time I'm through the doors. Our  technology is highly secured and top of the line. It has to be for what  we use it for. "What's the status?" I ask, then grab a chair, flipping  it around to straddle it. My hands rest on the top.

"Intel shows Al-Quaren is moving through Mexico. We're going to have to be ready to move."

"Goddamn Mexico. I hate going in there to find someone. Why can't these assholes stay where their native land is?"

"I know. We have informants there though, so he'll settle in, and we'll go in and pull his ass out of his hole."

"These guys think they're men hiding in a shithole to avoid their death.  What happened to facing it like a man? No, they send out their babies  to do that." I pause, thinking about Jade and her face as she pulled the  trigger. I knew the minute she pulled the trigger it would haunt her,  and I will forever owe her for that shot.

"I do know there are four men with him. They're all dressing alike, so  it's hard to tell which one is Al-Quaren. We're going to have to check  his markings to confirm."

"What time is this conference?" I'm getting impatient, knowing getting  him is going to be a struggle. He's been on our radar for years and  right now, I'm down two men who are working in Iraq on another project.

"They will be dialing in shortly." The computer begins to ring, and we  wait while The President of the United States starts to talk to us both.  His face comes across the screen. The deep circles under his eyes let  me know this isn't coming lightly. Christ. I could never run a country.  Every president in office has always had my respect. The day-to-day  struggles they all deal with would put most of us in a mental hospital. I  listen intently as he starts to speak. His words come out strong and  very demanding.

"Thank you for meeting with me on this. I'm calling in your help,  because I know your history of success in taking out international  terrorists. I want this guy captured and brought in for questioning. He  has vital information about national security we need to get our hands  on. I'll use the most effective ways to interrogate him to get that  information, but first I need to find him. That's where you two come  in." We both watch, knowing we'll be going in. Our men are the best of  the best, and I have no problem organizing another team like the last  one to smoke him out.

"He's working with a Mexican cartel and will be tough to pull out of  there. Tell me what you need, and I'll get you the resources." He turns  to talk to someone on his right, then quickly back to us.

"This time I can't offer you any soldiers. This needs to be done completely with your men."

"Sir, I'd like you to reconsider. I need a sniper and a point man to  fill my team. I'd like to request two of the soldiers that just  completed the mission I was on last week. They are brilliant in their  positions and would be exactly what I need to get in and out  successfully."

"Resources I can do. Who are the two you have specifically in mind?"

"Captain Elliott and Captain Harris of the US Army."

"I'll grant you two soldiers for this mission, but they'll need to agree  to go AWOL before I can approve this. I want zero connections with the  US Army in the event your mission is compromised. I'll have half of your  funds moved soon, so they're there for you to fulfil the job. Once it's  finished, the rest of the money will be transferred." All of this is  the normal agreement I have to make when I get a call. This is just the  first that came directly from The President.                       
       
           



       

"When do you want us to go in?" Kase asks.

"One week. He's been staying at his locations for about two weeks before  he moves. He's just changed locations, so we'll get you down there once  we get his location verified, then send your team in before he moves  out." I sit still and watch The President give us orders, knowing this  is a huge mission for us. I also know it's a very dangerous one and one  I'll be very ready to have behind me. I'm not completely familiar with  the area of Mexico that he's been in, and I'm going to have to do  thorough research before I leave for this.

I know I'll only have a few days with Jade before I have to leave for  the compound in Missouri. The team will have to meet me there for  briefing before we leave out.

"My team will be in touch before the mission. Do me proud, Maverick. I  need this guy alive, and I need you to deliver him to me without an  audience. Go in there without any markings and get out quick." He's  saying everything I already know. It's why we're the elite group of men  who get called for the most dangerous jobs in the world. The military  uses us when they want to stay hidden and stay off the radar. An  invasion like this could cause a huge war we aren't ready to fight. I  know as well as he does if we get caught out there, we're on our own.  The US military won't come rescue us, and we would be thrown under the  bus before The President would take any heat on his own ass for this  mission. It's how it works. Keep him looking as clean as possible while  we do the dirty work and take all the risks. It's what I'm great at.  It's what my men strive for, and we will be successful in this mission  or die trying.