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CHAPTER 13

Cooper was going to kill Bellamy. Not that Cooper was surprised when his best friend and the rest of his team were waiting in the main area when he and Nova came out of the bathroom. Bellamy had given him that warning, and Cooper knew he’d pushed the time limit. It was the way Bellamy ambled up to Nova, offering her a cup of coffee before looking at Cooper and making kissing faces.

Nova took the mug, rolling her eyes when all three men kept glancing at the bathroom door then over to her and Cooper. “Please. You already knew we were going to have sex. Get over yourselves.”

She moved in beside him, getting close enough her side pressed against his. She took another sip, humming in seemingly approval. “I have to admit. Having Bellamy bring coffee is way better than I’d imagined.”

Cooper leaned down, brushing his mouth over her ear. “Only because he waited until we were both dressed. Not sure you would have appreciated his efforts if you were still crushed beneath me on the bed. Or had your ass riding that tiny shelf in the shower.”

Nova looked up at him, her gorgeous green eyes practically sparkling. “To be fair, I don’t think I would have even noticed. Someone far more important had all of my attention.”

She was going to kill him, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

“I realize it’s only been a couple hours, but do you two think you can focus long enough to have another conversation?” Bellamy walked over to them. “Or do I have to tell the others you need a few more rounds under your belts before you can be civil.”

Nova grinned at him, looking as if she hadn’t even heard Bellamy before she sighed and glanced over. Though it was obvious she was considering his offer. “Is option two actually on the table or…”

“No.”

“Then, I guess we’ll have to play nice.”

Bellamy glanced at Cooper then headed for the other room.

Ethan and Rusty gave them both a smug smile, then took the dogs and headed for the door. More patrols despite the stormy weather. Cooper would owe them for that. For having his back and keeping Nova safe, even if it meant they had to hear some of the intel second hand. Not that they complained.

Cooper sighed when Nova took another swig then stood, wincing as she palmed her side. “Your ribs are acting up, again.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re way past fine, but that doesn’t mean you’re not also in pain.”

Nova turned to face him, stepping against him then tiptoeing up and drawing her finger along his jaw. “Worth it. And I’m really hoping it’ll be worth it, again, later.”

“And here you claimed you two had restraint, Coop.” Bellamy crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the door frame as he shook his head in mock disappointment. “I’m starting to think you lied.”

“She’s not naked, is she?” Cooper smirked. “Have you got that link up and running, or are you just coming out here to be a cockblock?”

“You know everyone can hear you, right?”

“We’ll be right in.” Cooper palmed her waist, stopping her from walking past him. “Regardless of how this all plays out, I’ve got your back. No hesitation. No doubts.”

Nova leaned into him. “Is that your way of saying you’d break ranks and run off with me if it comes to that?”

“As long as you promise we’ll go somewhere other than Bogotá.”

“I’ll let you pick.”

Cooper nodded and removed his hand, but she reached behind his neck and pulled him down for a long, wet kiss.

Nova brushed her thumb across his mouth. “I wanted to do that last time, but…”

Then she was off, walking into the room with her head high. Though, Cooper noticed the way she still favored her side. What was likely his fault for letting his need get the better of him. Not that Nova seemed to care, waiting in front of the monitors until he moved in behind her. She shifted back, pressing her body against his ever so slightly. A silent declaration that she’d meant everything she’d said — that she wanted him in her life for the foreseeable future.

Forever was the only option for him, but…

Cooper placed his hands on her hips, giving them a gentle squeeze. A signal he was all-in.

Porter, Milligan and Emery were on one monitor, Hawk the other. Bellamy glanced back at them, then hit some switch — made all the mics active.

He cursed when the monitors flickered, a series of lines filling the screens before they stabilized. “We’d best make this quick. This storm cell is only getting stronger, and the wind and rain are already disrupting the signal.”

Porter snorted. “Glad you finally joined us, then, Harris. Have you got somewhere else you need to be?”

Cooper shrugged. “I guess that depends on what Bellamy’s parents found — assuming they were able to access the database.”

“Of course they were able to access it.” Bellamy glared at Coop and Nova. “Though, my mom’s talking about china patterns and flower arrangements now, so I hope this is worth it.”

“And…”

Emery leaned forward and tapped some keys on her end. “As you can see from the two reports, the chemical makeup is identical.”

Cooper studied the numbers. “So, this proves Nova was telling the truth.”

“It proves they’re the same drugs.” Porter focused on Nova. “Not who took them.”

“I swear, Porter. You imply Nova’s dirty one more time?—”

“Easy, Coop. He’s not wrong.” Nova ran her hand through her hair. “I’m missing something because there’s got to be a link that ties Paulin and Simmons together before Paulin moved to the island. Did Simmons ever live in Miami?”

Hawk cleared his throat, looking at Milligan and Porter. “You two need to tell them what you told me and Emery earlier.”

Porter leaned back. “It’s only a theory, Hawk. Not one I’m ready to make public.”

“It’s more than a damn theory, Adam, and you know it. Cooper was there. Hell, he and his team patrolled the ranch — put their lives on the line — to keep Emery safe.” Hawk arched a brow. “Were you aware that Cooper served with Blake for four years when they were part of the same TACLET unit? That he knew exactly who she was the moment he saw her? But he never once let that slip because the man’s got more honor than most. They deserve any intel we can give them, substantiated or not.”

Cooper inhaled, taking a step closer to the monitor. “That’s what you think this is about? That it’s connected to those assholes who were trying to muscle out the Russos from establishing a presence on the island?”

Nova grunted. “Wait. The Russos? As in the Miami cartel family?”

Porter muttered under his breath, glaring at Hawk. “Way to go, Hawk. You just blew a year of undercover work. And no, Harris, we don’t think it’s directly linked to the Russo cartel. We think that by preventing that incursion from taking root, we left the island vulnerable for the next up-and-coming drug lord to just waltz right in.”

“And the fact Paulin was stationed in Miami before coming here? Is that just a coincidence?”

“It’s a piece of the puzzle.”

“Well, damn.” Cooper crossed his arms over his chest. “You think both Paulin and Simmons were working for the Russos all along. That Simmons was one of their police connections you didn’t quite stamp out. But when the family decided Hawai’i was too hot for their well-being, Paulin took the initiative and hooked up with Simmons to start their own little drug ring being funded by… who? The Moreno cartel that Nova’s investigating? The Triad? Maybe the Yakuza?”

“If we knew that, Harris, it wouldn’t be a theory. As it stands, all we can prove is that Paulin had official dealings with the Russos in Miami and Simmons has been a bit too quick to clear drug-related scenes for the past few years.” Milligan shuffled in his seat. “It wasn’t until recent events that we thought we might be able to prove there was more between them than a couple of old-school boys having a beer.”

Hawk snorted. “You mean until Nova got her hands on that ledger.”

“The ledger’s another key piece, but until we can prove it’s drug-related, and trace it back to everyone involved in the deals, it’s worthless.”

“Is it?” Cooper motioned to Bellamy, accepting the book when his buddy handed it to him. “We’re assuming Paulin was using this as some sort of accounting backstop.”

Milligan snorted. “That’s generally what they’re used for.”

“True. But what if Paulin had it as his own personal Hail Mary?”

“Can you just get to the point, Harris?” Porter rolled his eyes. “I swear you Spec Op guys dance around the subject just to frustrate me.”

“Just bear with me, Porter. Do we really think Paulin and Simmons have been acting alone?”

“Hell no.” Nova shouldered up beside him. “They might be able to steal enough drugs to run their little poison scam and oust whatever cartel was trying to set up shop here. But there’s no way they can fill the demand once they’re the suppliers. Not without someone noticing that much contraband going missing. Which means they either have more agents and border guards and god knows who else in their pockets, or it’s like Cooper said earlier and they have a new cartel backing them. One eager to expand their territory.”

“Exactly.” Cooper opened the ledger and held it up. “If I’m Paulin, I’m going to want to make sure I have enough leverage over these other partners that they won’t be tempted to double cross me. There’s not much I can do to protect against a cartel. Hell, I’ve been fighting that war for years. But I can safeguard against guys like Simmons by recording every transaction I’ve made with my buddies .”

Milligan leaned forward. “So, this isn’t a drug ledger. It’s a damn itinerary.”

“I’m not saying there isn’t another ledger that outlines all the actual drug dealings. Paulin obviously wasn’t an idiot. But this one…” Cooper gave it a shake. “This is why Simmons wants Nova because his identity is all over these pages and he needs it back before we crack?—”

The room shook, a loud boom drowning out Cooper as it echoed around them, the monitors flickering then cutting off along with the lights, only the small propane lanterns in the adjoining room still working.

Cooper grabbed her hand, meeting Bellamy at the doorway. “Any chance this is just the storm. Maybe a bolt of lightning hitting the shack that houses the generators?”

“Sure. Just like there’s a chance Simmons will turn himself in.” Bellamy headed for their small armory on the other side of the room. He handed Cooper a couple of pistols, a rifle and some ammunition, then gave Nova the guns they’d been safekeeping for her.

Nova scoffed. “Why don’t I get a rifle?”

“Because you’re still healing and the last thing you need is having a shotgun punt you in the shoulder. Just going a couple rounds with Coop has you favoring that side, again.”

Bellamy paused when the radio on his hip clicked twice. “And that’s Rusty letting us know he’s about to bust through the door and not to shoot his ass.”

The door flew open a minute later as Rusty barreled through, Whiskey and Soda in tow. Rain dripped off his jacket as the door slammed against the wall, the gusting wind scattering a few papers off the table. “Looks like we’ve got company. Bastards used a damn drone to blow the generators. Ethan shot it down but not before he caught some movement on that gravel road up here.”

Bellamy groaned. “Mano’s gonna be so pissed. Any chance we can get the truck around those tangos before they shoot it full of holes? Maybe launch a missile our way?”

“Doubtful. Ethan’s already securing Plan B.”

Nova frowned. “What’s Plan B?”

Bellamy chuckled. “Ask your boyfriend. It was his idea.”

“There’s only one road in here.” Cooper checked the mags on his pistols, then loaded a round into the chamber on the rifle. “We needed another way out in case this happened.”

“But the only way is flying or…” Nova inhaled. “No.”

“It’s fine. Ex-Coast Guard, remember?”

“As a dog handler. Not a boat captain.”

“Still got all the same training, sweetheart.” He took Whiskey from Rusty, clipping her leash around his waist. “You ready?”

“Isn’t the storm going to make piloting a boat extremely questionable?”

“That’s the point. I doubt they’ll have appropriate water support with the kind of swells we’ll have to battle.”

Nova pursed her lips, most of the color draining from her face. She bit at her bottom lip, looking as if she wanted to say something — either offer up an alternative or tell him he was crazy — but she slipped on the rain jacket he gave her before checking her weapons. She moved in behind Cooper, giving him a nod as Bellamy killed the lanterns — plunging the cabin into complete darkness.

Bellamy stopped a few feet away from the door, shouldering up beside Cooper. “We’ll sweep the area — take out any threats we can. I’ll click the radio once when it’s clear.” He arched a brow. “And twice…”

“If we’re all screwed.” Cooper glanced at the door then back, hating that the rest of his team was taking the kind of chances he should be. Because Nova was his. Not in a possessive asshole kind of way, but he’d promised to protect her. Wanted to spend the next fifty years with her. So, he should be the one risking his life.

Bellamy wouldn’t go for it. Cooper knew that. Recognized the look on his best friend’s face. Ride or die.

“Fine. We’ll give you five minutes, tops. Then, we’ll head for the dock.” Cooper snagged Bellamy’s arm when he went to leave. “Don’t make me have to come looking for you, or I will shoot you in the ass.”

“You could try…” Bellamy stopped in the threshold, this time. “One click.”

Then he was gone. Vanishing into the night along with Rusty and Soda. Nothing but the wind and the rain sounding around them.

Cooper closed the door, meeting Nova in the center of the room. He didn’t ask if she was okay, her pinched lips and furrowed brow clear indicators of how she felt about his team risking their lives for her. That she was barely keeping it together and he couldn’t help but wonder if Tate had ever really had her back. Not that he thought the man hadn’t been a good mentor. It was obvious Nova was more than skilled. But Tate had been so preoccupied trying to give Octavia justice, Cooper couldn’t help but wonder if he’d left Nova to face the world, alone. That she’d quickly grown accustomed to having to fend for herself. Never trusting that Tate would be there when she needed him.

Cooper would and he’d spend the rest of his life proving that if needed.

He gave her hand a squeeze. “They’ll be okay.”

Nova huffed. “I’m not helpless.”

“I know you’re not. In fact, you’re a force of freaking nature. But you’re also the only person who might be able to put all the pieces together and my team knows it. Besides, you’re still healing, whether you want to admit that or not.”

Another huff, but she didn’t push the subject, following him over to the far side of the cabin. He took up point on one window while she watched out the other. Branches snapped in the wind, the driving rain making it hard to see more than a few feet away.

“Coop.”

He snapped his gaze toward her, shifting in beside her when she motioned him over.

She stayed back from the glass, nodding toward the left side. “I swear I saw a shadow out there, but… it’s gone.”

Cooper changed positions, inching closer before taking a quick peak just as a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. Setting off the landscape in harsh relief. Nearly giving him a freaking heart attack when a bug-eyed tango appeared in front of the glass. Night vision goggles nearly touching the window. What he thought might be a Range-R device clasped in his hands. What would allow him and anyone else along for the ride to essentially see through the damn walls.

The asshole obviously hadn’t been prepared to see anyone either — that the lightning would flash at the worst possible moment and expose him — because he jumped, tripping back on his ass, the unit tumbling to the ground.

What was the bastard’s last mistake because Cooper fired right through the glass a second later — clipped the guy in the shoulder. Shouts rose above the next roll of thunder, what sounded like an entire army closing in on them.

Cooper grabbed Nova’s hand then raced toward the door, Whiskey hugging the other side. He paused at the doorway, drawing Nova in close as he grabbed the handle. “We make a run for the dock. No stopping. No looking back. No mercy. You shoot to kill. And whatever you do… Don’t get shot.”