It’s hard to prepare yourself for your own death. People walk around in the world every day, thinking that they will live until they’re eighty or ninety, not thinking that anything could happen to them. But doing this job, we have to be prepared at any second—that could be it.
We aren’t aspiring to make it to old age, we just want to make it until tomorrow.
Even more so now that there’s another person who I want to be here for. Before, the future wasn’t always the brightest. Sure, I get to do what I love, I get to fight for what I believe in, but there was no one waiting for me, relying on me, wishing I would come home to them.
Before we left this morning, I could tell that Everly was on edge. She’s still new to all of this. Yet, we were about to really give her a show, knowing that this mission is high risk all-round.
I found her in Noah’s cave early, going over and over every single damn detail of the mission, trying to commit it to memory even though she had all the notes printed out right in front of her.
“You do realize it’s four in the morning, right?” I asked Everly as I stepped into Noah’s geek room and closed the door behind me.
I’d come in early to work out before we flew out at 0600. It was kind of a ritual of mine, a way I guess to try and release some of the tension in my body and to get my head in the right kind of space, the space where I’m pumped up about getting shot at and possibly killed.
Everly turned and looked at me over her shoulder. I could instantly see the worry in her eyes, and for a second I was worried she was about to burst into tears.
“I’m trying really hard not to lose my shit here, Luca,” she admitted, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. “If I’ve made a mistake, you guys could be in serious trouble. If someone gets hurt and can’t get you help fast enough, you’re in trouble. If the equipment isn’t double, triple and quadruple checked properly—”
“We’re in trouble,” I finished as I walked toward her and crouched down at her feet, pulling her hands into mine and forcing her to place her feet back on the floor, trying to ignore the flash of lacy black panties that flashed by, her jean skirt not incredibly short, but sexy none the less.
“Luca, what if…” She couldn’t even finish the sentence.
“Look at me,” I ordered, enjoying the way her gaze instantly flashed to mine. “You need to remember that we are a team. This isn’t all hanging on your shoulders. We do checks, we double and triple check. We don’t move unless we are one hundred and fucking fifty percent sure that we’ve done everything humanly possible to ensure we come out the other side breathing. We are in this together, we equally share the weight on our shoulders.”
Her eyes burned holes deep into my soul like she was hoping to burn her name onto it in case something happened, and she had to find me on the other side.
Everly was hearing me loud and clear. She knew the things I was saying were true, but her hands were still shaking.
“Snowflake,” I said softly.
She laughed, her eyes brightening a little. “I know, I know, I’m being ridiculous. This is just a normal mission, one that you guys do all the time,” she babbled on, rolling her eyes at her own ridiculousness. “I’m just tense, my mind has nothing else to think about, so I’m pulling every little detail to shreds.”
“You need to trust yourself, and trust Noah. You guys have been a great team, and I know the info you’ve got is on point,” I told her honestly, drawing her hand to my mouth before pushing to my feet and walking back toward the door.
“You’re going?”
I smirked and looked over my shoulder as I reached out for the lock and flicked it, enjoying the sound a little too much. “Nope,” I replied. “But you need something to take your mind off the mission before you lose your shit, so stand up, turn around and place your hands on the desk.”
She licked her lips, and I caught the shiver that ran up her spine. “Luca…” she warned, her eyes darting around the room. “This is Noah’s cave, we can’t—”
I shook my head. “Stand up Everly, and put your hands on the desk,” I ordered one more time.
Slowly, one tip-toe at a time, she stood up, her eyes watching me carefully the entire time. She pushed the chair to the side and turned around, reluctant to take her eyes off me, but finally placing her palms flat on the desk in front of her, either side of Noah’s keyboard.
I didn’t waste any time, moving forward and lightly running my hand over the curve of her ass, outlining the perfect plump cheek. My cock strained against my zipper but I forced myself to remember that this was for her, not for me.
I’d work off my frustrations out in the gym after this.
The ripped, grunge style jean skirt that she had on was almost fucking perfect. My hand moved around her thigh, her legs automatically opening a little wider to accommodate it as I slid it up the inside, dragging her skirt with it until it was bunched up and resting above her ass.
“Fucking hell,” I groaned as my fingertips brushed against the wet silk and lace panties. With the gentlest of strokes she was already pressing her ass back against my hand, her breathing coming a little shorter and sharper.
I pulled the small scrap of material over her hips, enjoying the way they floated to the floor and pooled around her pink high tops. Stepping right up behind her, I ran one of my hands up her spine, my fingers threading into the hair at the base of her neck before forming a fist. She gasped as I used the grip to pull her head back as my other hand slipped around the front of her hip, my middle finger diving between her folds and circling her clit.
I dipped back into her wet and welcoming hole, sliding two fingers in and out several times before teasing her swollen bud all over again.
My dick strained, my thickness pressing right between the center of her ass cheeks, feeling right at fucking home but wishing he was feeling Everly’s wet pussy for himself.
Pulling gently at her hair, she stood up tall, lifting her hands off the desk and leaning back against my chest for support. She tilted her head to the side, and I pressed my lips to her exposed neck, sucking and biting at the soft skin as I continued to torment her, switching between fucking her pussy with my fingers and flicking her clit until she was so close to coming she couldn’t breathe.
“Luca,” she hissed as I drew her to that edge and then stole it away one more time. “Please.”
I chuckled as I pulled her earlobe between my teeth. Her hands were everywhere, one minute clutching my hair, then kneading her breasts, trying anything possible to fall over that edge.
When I was satisfied that I’d forced every bit of fucking tension out of her body, and all she was thinking about was me and how desperately she needed me to make her come, I finally gave her the release she was desperate for. Playing her clit like it was a fucking guitar, my fingers strumming, flicking back and forth at high speed.
“Scream my name, Snowflake,” I growled in her ear, as her legs began to shake and her hands gripped my arm for dear life.
“Oh God! Luca,” she cried, her body shuddering as her climax washed over her, again and again, until I finally pulled my hand away and wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her steady while she fought to catch her breath and find her legs again.
Her ass was still moving with a mind of its own, grinding as if my hand was still between her legs. It was almost enough to make me come in my pants, and I wasn’t about to have that shit, so I had to pull back before I fucking embarrassed myself.
Everly leaned forward, bracing her hands on the desk and cursing softly under her breath.
She looked over her shoulder at me, a soft smile playing on her lips which I couldn’t help but rush forward and steal a passionate and telling kiss before painfully backing away and heading for the exit.
“Everything is gonna be fine,” I told her with a wink. “You’re gonna do amazing.”
I unlocked the door, unable to stop myself from one passing remark.
“I love when I said scream my name, God was the first thing to come out of that perfect mouth,” I teased before pulling the door shut, so I couldn’t hear her cursing me to hell.
I knew she was, but I couldn’t help but grin.
I think I’ve found a new pre-mission ritual.
Later, when I finally stopped by to say goodbye on the way to our flight, she had been looking far more confident and eager. The softly whispered thank you went a long way in reassuring me that she appreciated the moment we’d shared.
Things are new between us, and we’re both still figuring the other out, but I’m excited to see what kind of future we can possibly have, and I’m pretty sure she feels the same.
Well, at the least I’m pretty certain she doesn’t want me to die.
Well, at least I hope not.
The heat hits me like a slap in the face as we walk off the airplane, feeling the hot air fill my lungs. “Fucking hell, this heat,” I curse as I step onto the tarmac behind Kace who just looks over his shoulder at me and grins.
“I dunno…” Tanner shrugs as she falls into step beside me and we head for the main building, “… I kinda like it. Maybe I’ll stick around and work on my tan after we take all these assholes down.”
The confidence she has is almost impressive, some days I feel like her balls could possibly be bigger than mine.
I scrunch up my face, suddenly feeling inadequate as Blair jogs up beside Tanner. “I’ll help you rub on your sunscreen,” he tells her with a wink, and instantly I start to make loud and obnoxious gagging noises.
A hard slap on my back throws me forward, I stumble but catch myself just as Eli wraps his big behemoth arm around my neck and pulls me into his side. “Sounded like you were choking,” he laughs.
“I was,” I reply, still staring at Tanner and Blair as they walk ahead, in total disgust at their lovey-dovey shit. “Choking on my own vomit. When do you think they will finally admit they’ve got hard-ons for each other?”
“Tanner’s a girl, she can’t get a hard-on,” Eli points out, rolling his eyes but still refusing to let me go.
I scoff. “Um… have you seen Tanner fight?” I throw back.
Eli thinks for a moment and then nods. “Point taken. I wonder how she tucks it away so well.”
“Jesus Christ, can you lot shut the hell up and concentrate,” Kace yells over his shoulder as he leads the team, as usual.
I glance a look at Axel. His face stern, but his eyes say it all. They’re foggy. Hazy. It rattles me slightly. I sense his head isn’t entirely in the game. It’s a little unnerving. I just hope he can sort his shit out. Because if we find Kenzi and he falls apart, I don’t want to be dragging two people out of whatever mess we’re going to be heading into. For now, though, I need to focus.
The plane’s engine still whirls and groans behind me, as men rush around, directing the plane toward a nearby hanger. We head in the same direction, seeing two men waiting for us outside the entrance, both dressed in General’s uniforms with four stars on their shoulders and dark glasses, standing still like statues. The expressions on their faces are serious and stoic, and as Kace approaches one of them steps forward, holding out his hand.
Kace takes it and nods his head. “General Murray, General Osmond, thanks for meeting us here and allowing us to borrow your facilities and equipment.”
General Murray finally cracks a smile and reaches up to lift his Aviators from his face. “Your father and I go way back. I can’t say I was ever expecting a call from him, given the circumstances…” he let the words hang in the air. Yeah, you never do expect a dead man to call asking for assistance. Jack’s coming back to life has surprised a lot of people. But once news broke that Camilla tried to have him assassinated and he went into hiding, everyone seems much happier to have Jack back and Camilla gone. “But I owe him a few favors, and I’m happy to help out where I can.”
It wasn’t surprising that Jack had earned the respect of men like these, no doubt in places all over the country, maybe even the world. Jack was a man who stood strong and was unwavering in who he was, and that drew others in.
General Osmond steps forward and shakes Kace’s hand as well, before looking out over our team with a curious eye. “I’ve heard a lot about you and your boys…” Tanner clears her throat and pops her hip out to the side. “Sorry… your team. We’re happy to be of some assistance. Follow me.”
The two Generals lead us inside the large hanger where The Agency’s plane is now parked, the sound of the engine winding down slowly. While the plane takes up a significant portion of the space, my eyes light up as I see five dune buggies—technically they’re called armored combat vehicles, but basically, they’re just dune buggies with big guns—lined up in perfect formation against the far wall. The beige color is precisely right for the desert, which is where we’re headed.
Noah and Everly found information that led us to a place in the middle of the fucking Mexican desert. There’s nothing there, or at least there’s meant to be nothing there.
“Shotgun driving,” I call out as I walk toward them, ignoring the way the rest of my team is beginning to pull their tactical gear out and prepare for our mission.
“One, you’re not driving. And two, get your ass back over here and get ready. We’re leaving as soon as possible. We aren’t fucking around with this, Luca.” I look over at Kace who’s staring at me with a warning in his eyes.
Fortunately for me, he knows this is just how I am. I like to let my mind wander before we go out there and kill people in the name of our country. It stops me from getting nervous, and it helps me to be somewhat okay with what we’re doing. I don’t like to focus on the fact that I might get hurt, or that I might end someone’s life today. I only want to breathe, and when the time’s right to go out there and do my job, I’ll be fucking great at it, but I won’t let it ruin me.
I take a deep breath and head back over to my team just as Kace tosses me my backpack. Not one of us flinches as we all strip down out of our civilian clothes. The number of times we’ve done this—in much more dangerous and less glamorous places—I couldn’t count if I tried.
It’s a meticulous process, putting on our gear, a process that I’ve memorized and that comes so naturally now. One piece of clothing after another, each purposeful and essential. The only difference with what we’re wearing today is that it’s also an off-beige color, a color we don’t get to wear too often. Usually, our gear consists of black on black on black, so we blend in with our surroundings. Our missions, for the most part, are always conducted in complete darkness and secret.
This time, we will be out in the open, the color of our gear is enough to make us blend into our environment, but not enough to make us disappear. The last thing I pull on is my desert combat boots. Why the hell they call them that I have no idea. We all know they aren’t going to stop the sand going inside them, and at the end of the day, I’ll be emptying enough out of them to build an entire castle.
I watch Eli and Axel haul over a large crate and wedge off the lid. Axel’s face stern and stoic, but his eyes like before are still glazed and vacant. I glance to Kace, and he’s watching Axel too. It’s our job to keep an eye on our team and to assess them, and right now both of us are watching Axel. I’m not sure he should be with us on this mission, but I should give him the benefit of the doubt. He might be stronger than I give him credit for.
“We have weapons here that you’re welcome to use,” General Murray offers.
Kace shakes his head. “We appreciate the offer, but we only use weapons that come from The Agency. It’s for our safety and for yours,” he tells them politely, without saying straight out what he means. And that is that we don’t trust anyone. We don’t trust their weapons or their ammo. We need our weapons to protect us and can’t risk them failing, and I also don’t want my damn prints on the gun someone else might use later on to do who knows what with.
“You have drivers for us?” I enquire as I gather my gun—a Colt M4 rifle—and look back over at the dune buggies. The plan is to have them drive us most of the way out, and then to continue on foot in order so as to not disturb or draw attention to ourselves. Surprise is our friend right now, and it might be all we have, given we have no idea what’s out there, whether there is anything out there, or what the fuck kind of power they might have.
The boys from the army would have to stay back and wait until we either call for them to pick us up, or we are in need of serious backup. Either’s a possibility with the very little intel that we have, but our team is the best there is. If we can’t get the job done, then it’s not meant to get done in the first place.
“Everybody ready?” Kace asks as he checks and double-checks all his gear.
I pull my earpiece from inside its container as Noah pulls out his laptop.
“Yup, just hooking up all the connection devices,” Noah explains.
“Testing, testing, testicles…” I say with a wide grin, making them all roll their eyes.
Noah chuckles. “Sounds like they’re all working.”
General Osmond moves over to an exterior door and pulls it open, disappearing for a moment, before returning with a driver for each of the buggies. They’re dressed much like we are in full gear, prepared for the worst. “They’ve been instructed and sworn in. Anything they see today will be held confidential and will not be spoken of to anyone. They will also not ask any questions relating to the mission unless given the information specifically by a member of this team.” Osmond looks to the line of men and one woman with a hard glare. “Isn’t that right.”
A resounding, “Yes sir!” echoes off the walls before each of them turns and marches toward their vehicles, not another word spoken, stern and serious looks on their faces.
“All right then,” Kace says, drawing our attention.
We all look at our leader, he stands tall and proud, holding his rifle tightly in his hands.
Kace is so many things to me—he’s my boss, my best friend, he’s also my conscience, and on the odd occasion, he’s the one to lift me up when I’m second guessing myself or what I’m capable of. I know he means something different to each of us, but I know for a fact, that every single person on this team would follow him into the depths of hell because we know he’d do the same for us without a second thought.
“Let’s fall out,” Kace announces as we head for the dune buggies. I climb in the front seat of one with a petite female driver, and she starts the engine. It idles as we wait for Kace to finish up discussions with the Generals who have graciously loaned us members of their teams.
The driver stares straight ahead, but I turn my body to face her. She’s wearing a helmet, her black hair perfectly twisted into a low bun that sits right at the base. She’s pretty, I have to admit that much.
“You know, usually I’d be all over someone like you,” I say, but she continues to stare straight ahead as if she hasn’t heard me. So I just grin and continue, “Usually, I’d be flirting, flashing you my best smile, trying to do whatever I can to get in your pants. Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re gorgeous. Like a solid eight and three quarters on the scale, almost a nine actually.” I catch the way her lips purse tightly, and there’s tension in her jaw. I’ve upset her.
Maybe she doesn’t like that I’m not going to flirt with her?
“No, no. It’s all me. Not you. You see, there’s this girl back home, she’s really great. I’ve never actually seen myself as a relationship type, but she… wow! She’s like fucking amazing. She laughs at my jokes, well… most of the time. And she’s really hot. A cheerleader. I mean hello, flexible much?”
The girl groans quietly, and I sigh. I take a peek at the name on her uniform. Riggs.
“Now, Riggs. I know you’re disappointed, but think about it, we would never work, we live so far apart and my heart, it just belongs to someone else.” Her head turns slowly toward me, her eyes narrowed. I reach out and pat her on the shoulder. “It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything. Maybe it’s just better if we don’t speak of this again.”
The buggy jostles as Kace hefts himself into the back seat. “She’s been told not to speak to you, but you know what, right now, I’m considering giving her permission.”
I look at the girl, and her eyes brighten as if she’d just won the lottery. “No, it’s fine. We had a great chat… I’m gonna get in the back now.” I climb through the space in the seats. “Driver, to the lair of our enemies please, and make it snappy.” I chuckle to myself but am rewarded with a slap on the back of my head.
I rub the sore spot and look at Kace. “What was that for?”
He grunts. “That was me trying to help you remember that if we get balls deep in shit today, she’s going to be one of the ones that we want to come to our rescue… not to laugh and point as we’re being buried alive in a sand hill.”
“But I said she was almost a nine?” I argue.
Kace just shakes his head. “I apologize, he was dropped on his head as a baby.”
I hear light laughter come from her before she puts her foot down and we pull out of the hanger at high speed.
Kace and I both pull down our military balaclavas which are the same color as our gear, not only to protect our faces from the harsh wind and sand that we’re about to encounter but also to protect our identities. It isn’t too far to the border of Mexico, but we have to drive through some of the main streets where there will be crowds of people. Especially at the border, where people will be lining up to cross over.
I look around, letting my eyes wander as we drive through the city of El Paso. It really is like a different world down here, the buildings entirely different from those you find in DC or other major cities. They’re old, but well maintained, and hold character. It almost feels like you’ve stepped into history and at any moment, a cowboy might walk out ready to throw down in a duel.
“All right boys and girls,” Jack’s voice comes across my earpiece. “Everly’s here with me. She’s going to keep a close watch on the signals and video coming in from your body cameras. We’ll be able to see everything that’s going on as well as hear you. The drivers will take you about an hour into the desert, and from then you’ll have to walk. The location we’ve pinpointed isn’t as condensed as we’d like it to be, so make sure you keep your eyes and ears open and be on alert at all times.”
Knowing Everly can hear me, I look around at the city surrounding me. “El Paso would be a great place to come for a holiday, you know,” I comment with a grin.
Jack snorts. “Good to know.”
“That wasn’t directed toward you, oh great one, it was meant for the girl sitting beside you,” I confirm, unable to stop myself from smiling when I hear quiet laughter in the background, and it warms me. Everly might not be here, and for that, I’m thankful because I don’t have to worry about her, but she’s on this mission with me, and for some reason, that feels really good.
“Just get it done, pretty boy,” I hear her call out, and next to me Kace chuckles, shaking his head.
I smirk. “Yes, ma’am.”