Page 59 of Enemy of My Enemy

“We will be again,” Moroshkin promised, fire and fury in his voice. “I,” he said, shaking, “will see to that.”

“Only with my help.”

“And what is it that you want after this, General? When I am in charge of Russia, what is it you desire?”

“The same as you. Conquest. Victory. Looking your enemy in the eye as the life goes out of them, and they know, without a doubt, you have beaten them.”

“You want to destroy America? Your home?” For the first time, Moroshkin sounded uneasy, unsure.

“It’s not destruction, General. It’s a resurrection. And not just America, but the world. A new dawn, and a new beginning. With us at the helm,” he said brightly at the end. “Are you in?”

Moroshkin kept quiet, humming under his breath. “Tell me what it is we have to do,” he finally rumbled.

“Sow the seeds of terror, my friend. Grow dread in the hearts of your enemies, until they choke on the rise of their own bile. Until they cannot stand to live with themselves and the whole world has turned against them.”

Moroshkin said nothing.

“Watch the news, General. You will see my work. I’ll be in touch for our next step. Soon.”

* * *

Chapter 22

Washington DC

Heavy rubber wheelson Cooper’s return flight bounced and skidded down the runway. The plane roared over the tarmac, engines whining, flaps and elevators at full extension. It slowed to a crawl and made the turn, driving back toward a hangar on the far side of the airfield.

Ethan waited outside his SUV, leaning back against the hood with his arms crossed. Daniels stood by the open driver’s door, glaring at Ethan.

Daniels was done with Ethan’s bullshit for the day, and he’d said so as soon as they had left the White House.

Ethan was a mess of frenzied nerves and restless anxiety, and he’d skipped out of the White House to meet Cooper before seeing the Navy doctor for his test results. Jack had texted on the drive, saying that the doctor who had done their testing wanted to speak to both of them, and he’d wait for Ethan’s return.

As the plane finally pulled to a stop, chocks were thrown down and the ramp lowered. Ethan pushed himself up and waited for his team. It was important to him to meet Cooper and his Marines, to personally welcome them back and look into the eyes of the men who were risking it all, chasing Madigan around the world to stop his machinations.

He’d come close to losing them already.

A weary group of Marines clambered down the ramp, some still shaking sleep from their eyes. Cooper was in the lead, and a fierce scowl hardened his face. He tried to smile when he saw Ethan and came forward with his hand outstretched.

Ethan shook it. “Welcome back. I’ve made arrangements for you and your men to bunk down at the base tonight. There’s a plane waiting to take your men back to MacDill in the morning.”

“Thank you, Director— Mr. First Gentleman. Thank you for meeting us. I know you’re busy.”

Cooper fumbled, trying to be polite, but his eyes were pinched and exhaustion clung to him. Exhaustion, and something else. Something deeper. Something that ached in his eyes.

“Never too busy for you and your men. Get some rest. You all deserve it.” He pointed to the waiting transport at the doors of the hangar. “That’s your ride. It will take you to the BOQ and back to this hangar in the morning.”

“Thank you, sir.” He hefted his pack onto his shoulders and signaled to his men. Ethan smiled and held out his hand for every member of the team, clasping tight and welcoming them home with a personal thanks for their hard work. The team headed across the lot, some shoving each other until their sergeant barked at them to stow it. In minutes, they were on the transport and driving to base lodging.

Ethan watched them fade away. He stared up at the night sky.

“Ethan? You met them when they landed. They’re gone now. It’s time to go. You know, back home? Where you’re supposed to be.” Daniels tapped the roof of the SUV with his fingers. “C’mon.”

Goddamn it, he did not want to face this.

He’d been careful all his life.

Well, except for once—twice—when the condom had broken, and he hadn’t known until he’d pulled out after he and his one-night stand had finished.