“Duuuude,” Alex said slowly from the backseat of the large SUV as they headed back to Quantico to pack for New York. “Oh my, I mean, dude!”

Grant turned around and looked at him. “Words, dude. Like, use them.”

“She’s coming. Rock Star is coming. She said she can catch the first flight out of Heathrow and meet us in New York tomorrow.”

“You. She can meet you. We’ll be a little busy,” Valeria said, shaking her head but then smiling at Grant as he smirked.

“Remember, this isn’t a hookup. This is work,” Dalton called back from the driver’s seat.

Grant had never seen a person turn such a bright shade of red before. “I’m not—she’s not—it’s not—oh no,” Alex groaned as he looked at his phone.

“What?” Grant asked as he and Valeria turned to look at Alex crammed into the third row of the SUV. His knees were practically to his chest as he looked like a whipped puppy.

“This,” he said, turning the phone, “this is Rock Star.”

Grant blinked and Valeria let out low whistle. “Good job, dude. She’s hot.”

“Exactly. She’s way above me. There’s no way now.“ Alex buried his head in his hands as Valeria grabbed his phone and passed it up to Lizzy.

“Wow,” she said, looking at the brunette beauty. She wore dark eyeliner, had long lashes, brown eyes, and a smile that would turn Alex into a bumbling idiot. Well, maybe then he wouldn’t say dude all the time.

“You have to send a picture back,” Valeria grinned as she took the phone from Lizzy and turned on the camera. “Smile!” Alex practically leapt into her seat to grab the phone.

“Can’t we send a picture of Dalton or Grant?” Alex asked as he cradled the phone.

“Don’t be a scared wee lad. Women like confidence.”

Lizzy and Valeria nodded in agreement.

“I’ll send a picture when I get back to the bar. Maybe do a few pushups beforehand.”

Valeria shook her head. “She already likes you. She’s coming all the way from London to meet you and work with you.”

“You think?” Alex asked hopefully.

“Duh,” Lizzy laughed from the front. “But now that we have your hacker love team set up, we need to plan our trip to New York. We need identities in case we get caught or pulled over.”

“Got it,” Alex said, pulling up his laptop. His fingers began to fly across the small keyboard perched on his cramped knees. “What else?”

“Everything on CBL Services Group and Brandon Locke, including his relationship with Sandra Cummings and the layout of his building,” Lizzy instructed.

“Dalton, we need to talk when we get to your place,” Grant said, leaning forward. “I need some gear, and we need a plan for walking into Locke’s home.”

“I wonder if it wouldn’t be better to meet him outside rather than in,” Valeria asked. “That way we can keep an eye on you guys and Locke will have to watch himself, too, since there will be people walking all around. There’d be a smaller chance of him taking you out or tossing you in a cell never to be seen again. Then Lizzy and I would have to rescue you and you’d feel insecure about being rescued by a girl.”

“I think it’d be hot,” Grant winked.

“Yeah,” Dalton smiled. “I might get myself captured to see Lizzy storm the fortress for me.”

“Yup, totally hot,” Alex muttered, never taking his eyes from his screen.

Valeria and Lizzy rolled their eyes. “Hot or not, it’s a good idea to try to meet him outside.”

“There are cameras at the front door. Will he know you if he sees you?” Alex asked.

“He’ll know Jason for sure. I don’t know if he’ll remember Grant or me,” Dalton answered. “How do you suppose we get him out? Won’t security buzz us in?”

Alex finally looked up. “It’s so simple, and I thought of it. Maybe I am a badass. Rock Star will totally think I’m hot then.”

Valeria opened her mouth to say something but stopped. “Is that Crew?”

Dalton pulled to a stop outside the bar as Crew pushed himself off the brick wall and sauntered to them. Valeria hopped out and hugged him. She wasn’t the only one surprised by her action. So was Crew, who stood still with his arms by his side for a moment before hugging her in return. “Thank you for saving Tate.”

“I know of a way you can thank me,” he grinned as his hand began to slide lower.

“Ready to lose that hand? Pilots kinda need two,” Grant’s voice, thick with his Scottish accent, rumbled as he unfolded himself from the SUV. Grant stood a couple inches taller than Crew and a good fifty pounds more of muscle.

“Who the hell are you?” Crew spat, pulling Valeria to his side in full male posturing.

“I’m the only man whose hand gets to touch her arse. Grant Macay, Air Force Pararescue pilot and new member of this band of rebels.”

“We don’t need another pilot. Not when the best is already part of the group,” Crew smirked.

Valeria pulled away from Crew’s side. “We need to get to New York, not challenge each other to a pissing contest.”

Crew took a deep breath and plastered on a fake smile. “That’s why I’m here. I’m flying you all to New York. I already have a civilian helicopter and a flight plan to land at the hotel across the street from Locke’s office building. We’re staying in the penthouse for an engagement party. The penthouse has three bedrooms, a fold-out couch, and a cot is being brought in for our little brother.”

“Where will Rock Star sleep?” Alex asked, flushing red again.

“Who?” Crew’s brow wrinkled as he looked at Alex.

“Our wee laddie’s lady friend from London,” Grant smirked.

“Alex has a girl coming from London to see him? Way to go, bro!” Crew slapped Alex on the back, sending him stumbling forward.

“We’ll get her another room in the hotel,” Lizzy said, saving Alex from more ribbing. “We’re not going to fill her in completely until we’re sure of her. Now, let’s get ready to leave first thing in the morning. And Alex, please make a reservation and ID for Rock Star.”

“I’m not calling her Rock Star,” Valeria said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Roxie. Her name’s Roxie,” Alex sighed and every one snickered.

“Do you even know what to do with a woman?” Crew asked. “Thank goodness I’m here. Come, learn from the master.” Crew slung his arm around Alex and headed to the back of the bar.

Grant slung his arm around Dalton. “Why don’t you let the master see the guns you have? I bet I’ll find one cute and show you how to make her fire.”

“I’ll text Jason and let him know we’re leaving in two hours,” Lizzy called out as she and Valeria dropped into line behind the guys, shaking their heads at their antics. They walked a short distance on Main Street and turned left toward their houses. The town of Quantico was empty at this time of night. It was all tucked in as they quietly talked and planned. Dalton, technically, still lived across the street, so Lizzy wasn’t surprised when he and Grant walked past her house. Valeria lived farther up the street in a small rental. They silently peeled off into the shadows of the night. They knew what needed to be done. Gear would be packed, equipment loaded, and all streamlined into no more than one or two bags. It was their way of life. Be ready to go on a moment’s notice. And tonight they were acutely aware they might not be back.

Lizzy opened the door to her house and Dave, her white fluff-ball Bichon, yapped happily as he ran out of the living room.

“What, huh? Shut up, you furry rat,” came the grumbling old voice from the living room.

“Buzz, is that you?” Lizzy called out.

“There’s our girl. We were worried about you,” Snip’s tired voice said at the same time two men groaned. Lizzy hurried into the living room to find Buzz trying to get off the couch and Snip sitting in the recliner.

“You waited for me to get home.” Lizzy was struck with the acute reminder that her father was gone, but she had two adopted grandfathers looking after her. She had a larger family than ever, even while all alone.

“Of course we did. When you didn’t come right back, we thought something might be wrong, so we were staking out your place to see if anyone came by,” Buzz began to explain.

“But sitting in the car that long really hurt our backs, and we were afraid of falling asleep so we just moved our little operation in here,” Snip finished explaining.

“I’m glad you did. I have a favor to ask, again.”

“We’re ready to go,” Buzz said, pulling out a gun from WWII from under the couch.

“Can you continue the stakeout a little longer? We have to go somewhere to check something out.”

Snip snorted. Buzz chuckled.

“Okay, that was a little vague, but it needs to be. I really appreciate you both so very much, and I’m sorry I’m putting you into this position.”

“Sorry? This is the most fun we’ve had in ages,” Buzz told her as he stood up, his back cracking as he stood upright with his massive antique gun.

“Yeah, it’s good to feel useful again. We’ll stay right here and take care of the bar and the rat for you.”

Lizzy scooped up her dog and hugged him to her chest. “He’s not a rat!”

Buzz and Snip shared a look that told her they thought otherwise.

“Now, you go do what you need to do. Stay safe and take care of my grandson who is suddenly back on duty when he should be off.” Buzz wiggled his bushy eyebrows, and Lizzy thought she might have underestimated their observations of the group.

Lizzy went and hugged each man. “Thank you.” Lizzy kissed each of their wrinkled cheeks and hurried upstairs with Dave still clenched in her arms. She’d be gone again soon. But right now, right this minute, wasn’t too soon to tell those you love that they matter to you and that you appreciate them. Especially since she had a bad feeling about this mission.