Chapter Six
Candy stared at the image of the “mates” on the screen. The one at gunpoint was calm and poised. “Which one is she?” Candy asked.
“That’s Amerella,” the one named Dubois said. “My mate.”
What the hell was up with this “mate” thing? Made them sound like a bunch of animals.
“She’s been at gunpoint so many times, this is nothing for her. Living in a mobster family unfortunately prepares you for this kinda thing.” Despite his words, Candy felt the tension roll off him like water. Mobster? One of their fucked-up missions was with the mafia. She hadn’t read the particulars of the reports that had been messed up, but now she wondered if Amerella was connected to that.
Amerella said something and turned her back to the gunman, looking bored at the whole thing. The woman was brave. A sense of pride for all womankind spread through Candy. Women were stronger nowadays. They didn’t back down from fights when they stood up for what they believed. They did whatever it took to keep their loved ones happy and safe. Exactly what she had been fighting for the past twenty years of her life. Equality.
She watched as Amerella loaded a plate with finger foods and handed it to the man. Then she returned to the floor with the other two girls by the table. The guy stared at her for a moment then walked away. The tension in the room dropped.
Hamel flicked the lights off. She should’ve thought about that. Giving away their presence on the floor above the action wasn’t good. If they sent someone up to check out the office, she’d have to kill him. Since no one had come yet, she hoped those outside hadn’t paid much attention to a light being on.
The laptop gave off enough light for her to see. The others walking around her office were on their own. How they hadn’t tripped over furniture yet surprised her. They didn’t have any night-vision goggles, did they? Dubois then hurried to the side window.
“I see the guard’s body on this side. Dead.” He went to the other window. “Damn. Same thing.” He gave a heavy sigh.
“How can you see that at this distance?” she asked. “It’s dark outside.” The men shuffled, but said nothing. Movement on the laptop screen drew her attention. The guests were lying facedown on the floor with their arms extended past their heads. Well, shit. Candy scooped up her phone and pressed the speed dial for the White House security.
“Hey, Candy—”
“We have a hostage situation at the NIB,” she spit out. “This is not a drill. Repeat, not a drill.”
“What? Fuck,” the man on the other side of the line said. “Call me when you have intel.” The phone beeped that the call had ended.
“Who was that?” Josh asked.
“White House security,” she said. “Protocol is to immediately inform the Secret Service about any threatening activities. They’ll then call in reinforcements to protect the president and his wife.” He probably knew protocol, but she said it more for her own benefit than his. She pressed another speed dial number.
“Dresden here.”
“This is Sergeant Major Candace Obermier. We have a hostage situation with four inside and four outside at the NIB.”
“Shit. Candy, what the hell is going on over there?” Dresden said.
“Dres, this is bad,” she replied. “The NIA is having a dedication ceremony tonight.”
“Yes. I was invited as head of national security,” he said.
“Before the ceremony began, four armed men took over the lobby, holding everyone hostage. My four outside men are down, replaced by their men, I’m guessing. Pommer and several other high-ranking officers are here. This could get ugly if our top guys are retired permanently. We need help now.”
“Dammit, Candy. You know it will take a couple of hours to put together an operation with men, munitions, and planning.”
“Yes, sir. Until you arrive, the Alpha League of Federal Agents are with me in my office one floor above the scene,” she said.
“You’re with the ALFAs?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Hell, Candy. You don’t need me, then. Let those boys take care of it. They’re more than qualified.”
“Sir, I’m sure they are, but—”
“I’ll have a group of my guys go over there to assess and do what they can. But without knowing Director Tumbel’s plans, we would only be getting in the way. I’ll have them there in an hour.” Her phone went silent. She tossed the phone on the desk and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling back the strands that had fallen from her bun.
Time to make a plan, then, she thought.
Josh stood back and said, “It’s time to make a plan.”
She looked up at him. The side of his lips tilted up and he winked at her. Fucking god, her heart sputtered. Disgusted with her weakness, she got up and moved away from him. He was too alluring, too enthralling, and the man hadn’t even done anything but wink! She was in so much trouble.
Hamel paced. “We need more intel on the situation before we can assess anything. Then we need to figure out the best way to get our mates out.”
“Whoa, there, buddy,” she said. “We’re getting everyone out, not just your wives or mates or whatever the hell you call them. Leave no man behind.” Due to the darkness in the office, she couldn’t see his reaction. Probably a good thing. “Okay, we have to get closer to the terrorists and listen in. See what we can find out.”
“Shimmy down the elevator shaft?” Day asked.
“Good thought,” she replied, “but the with the doors closed and the concrete encasing each shaft, it’ll be impossible to see or hear anything.”
“Is there a way to get over or under them?” Tumbel asked.
The answer slapped her upside the head. “Yes, there is.” She felt her way around her desk toward her chair, scooped up her phone and pocketed it. “The lobby ceiling has been reinforced with steel beams and there’s enough space to walk.” She put her hands out, blindly, feeling her way. “Where’s the damn door?”
Light slipped into the room from the door opening. Tumbel breathed deeply, then motioned to her. What the hell was up with these people’s heavy breathing? She was starting to think none of them were playing with a full deck of cards.
“The hall is clear,” Josh said, stepping back. “Lead the way, Sergeant Major.”
Candy stopped at the light’s cusp and said, “I can do this on my own, Tumbel. Your team isn’t needed for this.”
“That’s fine,” he said. “My guys will stay and watch the monitors. But I’m going with you.” She put a hand on her hip and stared at him. Was he really going to make an issue out of this? she wondered.
He pointed to the hallway floor where he stood. “If your cute fanny isn’t out here in five seconds, I’m grabbing your hand to drag you out.” That got her moving. No way did she need him touching her again. But she had to admit his touch was pleasant. Nothing like her father’s or that of some men she’d had to deal with on the base.
Focusing on what she was doing, she scoured the hall, looking for an air return duct. She knew one accessed the space above the lobby ceiling to suck out the hot air that built up in the summer months. On the other side of the elevators, she hit pay dirt. A large opening covered by a metal grating was cut into the wall several inches from the ground. She leaned over and grabbed her shoe.
“You need to take your shoes and socks off if you’re going down with me.”
“We’re going down that?” He pointed to the grate.
“Yeah,” she said, “you scared?”
His face hardened and she almost laughed at his change in expression. “No. I’m just not sure I’ll fit.”
Candy shrugged. “If not, you stay up here, then.”
Again, his face morphed, but this time his brows came down and his lips pursed. “I’m not letting you go alone. You have no idea what you might run into.” She did, but there was no telling him that.
After opening the metal grid and removing the air filter, she wiggled her way in, feet first. Since getting a desk job a year ago, she’d put on weight. More than she ever had, even though she ran daily and worked out regularly. It was just the feminine body she had. Her mother was the same way.
The jerk laughed at her the entire time she stuffed herself into the vent shaft. She’d see if he even had the guts to go through with this. She’d kick his ass if he chickened out.