The old fart was losing it. His once smartly pressed suit pants and starched white shirt were a crumpled mess. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, red rimmed his murky blue eyes. Yep, former Deputy Director Pope was losing his shit. He paced the space between the double beds in the old hotel room. The air was thick with fear, the Talley's and Andrew's.
He couldn't blame the fool, his men were ending up dead or close to it by Alpha Team Six. With Erin's parents in their possession it was only a matter of time before Pope would end up dead as well. Oh, Andrew thought he knew Sessions and his team inside and out, but no one knew them better than him.
The meet was to take place on a small island in the middle of Enoch Lake. The jutting mound of earth was the perfect spot. It was thickly wooded with a raised rock formation right dab in its center that they would use as a lookout point. The island was the perfect setting for an ambush.
Pope raked his fingers once again through his salt and pepper hair.
"What made you do this?" He waved his hand at the bound and gagged couple.
"It had to be done."
"I'm not going down for kidnapping or for murder. I didn't hook up with you to do any of this. I wanted revenge on that self-righteous ass Sessions, not all this." Andrew ranted.
"You wanted my help. I know them, know what makes them tick. If we don't eliminate them, we will never be safe again. We have to prove to the Freedom Guardians we can be trusted to keep their identities secure. No Loose Ends. Don’t forget it."
Pope dropped down on the empty bed. The man had the look of a spooked animal with nowhere to run.
He turned away from Pope to gaze out the window. The sun was down and the little hotel was quiet. This one horse town shut up tight as soon as the sun set, but that was fine with him. He could use some rest. Morning couldn't get there quick enough. By the end of the day Sessions would know just who it was that stripping everything away from him, including his life. Yes, he was going to reveal himself as the life was draining out of Eli, let the fucker experience an eye for an eye, Sessions' life for his.
****
The five males crowded around Eli's dining room table. Tension was palatable. They had their heads together each in his own state of pissed the fuck off. Oh, she knew they didn't really know her or her family, but the men were angry that Pope had involved innocent civilians.
Brandy had been on her way home from the mountains when Erin phoned her the horrible news. Her sister was enraged and was presently pacing the floor. One minute she was swiping away tears and the next, threatening everyone present. Blake Jackson took it upon himself to try and calm her down. He was the only man in the room that could. He was well over six feet with a body like a Mac Truck, even Brandy wasn't mad enough to take him on. With all his muscle and dark blue brooding eyes, he was gentle with Brandy, who was blowing up like a volcano. He talked to her in soothing tones. Her sister was a tall athletic woman. Standing next to Blake she looked small in comparison.
Her sister steadily glared daggers at Eli. She half blamed him for their parent's abduction and the other half 0f the blame she placed on Erin for keeping what was happening a secret.
Erin didn't take offense. Brandy was two years younger than her and was the willful one. They rarely fought, but when they did it was a brawl from hell. Then, before the day was over they would usually find a way to make up. Erin felt the fear that her sister was feeling. She was weighed down with guilt. Her parents were in the hands of killers. She would do anything to get them home safe.
Erin sat on the love seat across from the men. A coldness surrounded her. One after the other the men asked her if they could do anything for her.
She shook her head in response, words wouldn't come. Erin wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Crying wasn't going to get her folks back so she focused on Eli.
Eli stood and pointed at the map spread across the table. "Colton Island rests in the center of Enoch Lake. This is where we're going to exchange ourselves for the Talley's"
"360 degree view of the lake and heavily wooded ten plus miles of ambush. Pope will have all the bases covered and we don't exactly have the benefit of time. The meet is set for seven A.M." Romero stated. His dark eyes studding the map.
Brandy stomped to the table and placed her palms down as she stared at Eli. "You did this, sorry, but I don't care what you do as long as you get my family back home. You're supposed to be FBI. Don't you have procedures for situations like this?"
Erin went to her sister and hugged her tight. "Please Bran. Give Eli a break. He had no way of knowing what Pope would do. These men are willing to walk into the face of danger to get mom and dad home. I've seen what they can do and I trust them."
Brandy shoved out of Erin's arms. "Look at what you're trusting has cost us. I don't want to sound like a bitch, but why the fuck did you ever go with him in the first place. Jesus, wasn't it apparent from the dead man at the diner that this guy was trouble?"
"You don't know shit. Eli is an honorable man and yes, I do trust him. So if you don't want to be helpful in this process, you can do everyone a favor and shut the fuck up." Erin shot back. Damn Brandy and her accusations. It was all true and hurt like hell to hear, but she had no idea her parents would pay the price.
Brandy's mouth opened and closed, but she thankfully remained silent.
"Thank you love, but she is right on one part. It is my fault that your parents were taken. It is however not my men's fault and I will not think any less of anyone that decides not to go with me to retrieve them." Eli assured his team.
Each man gave him "have you lost your mind" glares. Erin fell in love with each one of them. They wouldn't leave Eli or her to face certain death. Strong men who stood up when others wouldn't.
Erin moved to stand beside Eli at the head of the table. "I have an idea. There is an underwater entrance to a tunnel that leads to a cave on the island. Brandy and I use to explore it when we were kids. I'm sure that Pope doesn't know about it. If Brennan can sneak out tonight, use the tunnel, he would be able to take some of Popes centuries out and at the very least even out the playing field."
Eli was studying the map, he turned to gaze into her eyes a frown cut across his brow. "That is a great idea, the only problem is that would be that there would be four of us on the boat when Pope is expecting five men. He might get spooked and take off with your folks before we can even come ashore."
"Not if I take Brennan's place on the boat. I could pad my clothing, wear a ball cap and shades. They wouldn't be able to tell the difference from a distance." Erin offered.
Eli's frown deepened. "Not happening. We can fake something to look like a body. You are not going to that island, end of discussion."
"Hold up there. What do you mean end of discussion? I am going, those are my parents you're talking about. I have just as much right to go as anyone else." Erin couldn't help that her voice rose as she spoke. Between him and Brandy her patience was at the snapping point.
"It's bad enough that Pope has his hands on your parents, I can't allow him to do anything to you. Don't you understand that, Erin?" Eli grabbed her shoulders, a pleading look in his eyes.
She blew out a long breath. "You don't get to tell me what to do, no matter how much I care for you and you care for me. You are not the Lead Agent of the FBI on this one. It is a solid plan, I think we all should vote on it."
They stood there glaring at one another. A cough, had them jerking their heads towards the men. Every hand went in the air except for Eli's and Brandy's. Tears swam in Brandy's eyes as she watched from the sitting area, but she didn't say a word.
Eli closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he gazed back down at her, Erin could see he was torn. "B, you're going to have to go old school. I have a row boat and scuba gear in the shed." He addressed the sharp shooter, then turned to Brandy. "Guess bedroom is the third door at the top of the stairs. Erin, you follow me." He spun and walked away without another word.
Eli took the stairs and she followed slowly behind him. She had won the war, but at what cost. Eli was pissed. He would just have to stay pissed, because she wasn't backing down on this one. She wasn't that quiet little diner owner any longer. Tomorrow she would help rescue her parents and she would be a member of Alpha Team Six.