Page 5

I stared at him. Our last words to each other hadn’t been the best, but that had been years before. Maybe it was time to let things remain in the past. “Not my thing.”

“Fine. I’ll get to the point. I need your help with something, your expertise.”

“On what?”

“A hostage extraction.”

It took a few seconds for my brain to register what he was asking. When it did, I snorted. “I’m a private citizen now, Gray.”

“Once a Navy SEAL, always a Navy SEAL.”

“So you keep wanting to remind me. I retired several years ago. Remember?”

“That doesn’t mean you’re not the best person for the job.”

The sun continued to rise and I turned my head to stare out the window. “I’m not interested.”

“A lot of money is involved.”

“Money, I have plenty of.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Your uncle.”

Now I glared at him. “You been checking up on me?”

“I had to find you so yeah, I wanted to see what happened in your life.”

“You mean you were trying to find out if I’d eaten a bullet. Right?”

He exhaled. “That too.”

“Don’t think I haven’t thought about it.” We’d never seen eye to eye on much of anything. I’d been the SEAL to give him the most hell, to question missions when I should have kept my mouth shut. The single time I had, we’d lost six good men. I’d never forgive myself.

“Would be a waste.”

As usual, the awkwardness between us resurfaced.

I’d been surprised over the years I hadn’t been kicked out for insubordination.

With the coffee spitting from the final drips, I grabbed two mugs and yanked the carton of half and half from the fridge.

After grabbing a kitchen towel for the coffeepot, I placed everything on the table.

While I wasn’t in the mood for company, I sat down to try to ease the tension. “Why do you need my help? What about Maddox or Stone?”

They’d been my two best buddies, men I could count on, even if Maddox had broken my trust a long time ago. We’d gone our separate ways after our scheduled retirements. It happened that way sometimes, the need to be alone to deal with demons stronger than the longing to keep up friendships.

“They’re not right for the job, Kage. You are.”

An angered sigh rose from my throat. A part of me wanted to shove him out the door, but I at least owed it to him to listen to what he had to say. “What are we dealing with?”

He cracked a slight smile of relief. “Do you know the name Randolph Carver?”

“Carver Industries?” The man had developed and manufactured a specialized communications system sought after by various corporations as well as military operations around the world.

“That’s the one.”

“Isn’t he an asshole?”

Gray laughed. “That’s exactly the one. He’s a merciless and very wealthy man.”

“And what?”

“His daughter was kidnapped.”

“For ransom? That has nothing to do with my level of expertise. Besides, why the hell are you involved with a basic kidnapping?”

He shook his head. “The authorities don’t believe it’s a random kidnapping.

It’s been two days since the girl’s abduction and there’s been no request for money or anything else.

Her father served with me years ago. Hell, we went to boot camp together, service in the same unit for a couple of years. ”

“That still doesn’t answer why you’re involved.”

“I’m not going to lie to you. This could be a foreign military operation.”

“Because of the communications systems he sells to outside governments.”

Gray nodded. “A tactic rarely used, but it’s effective.” He poured cream into his coffee and I observed his actions. He wasn’t thrilled about asking for my help any more than I was having him sitting in my kitchen.

“You mean the weakness called greed.”

“Exactly.”

“So why not send in the FBI?” I was curious, but this was nothing I was interested in getting involved in.

Once I’d retired, I’d made certain everyone knew I would have nothing to do with my former life.

Because of doing my job, I’d lost the one thing most precious to me.

I blamed the Navy in the process. Gray knew.

Hell, everyone I’d come into contact with had known my feelings.

And they hadn’t been nice.

I finally poured a mug full of java, this morning preferring it black.

“Juliette Carver was taken from a high-dollar condo in Bermuda. At this point, there are thoughts she’s still being held on the island, but soon to be sold to the highest bidder. The Bermuda Police Service has already scoured the islands but found nothing.”

I chuckled. “You mean they’re too afraid to go up against the big bad wolf. Right?”

“Precisely.”

“Who are the kidnappers?”

“Uncertain given Carver has been in talks with the Saudis and the South Americans. Hell, there are rumors he’s even chatted with China. Unconfirmed.”

“If that’s true, he can’t be well liked within our government or the military,” I told him. The entire situation seemed suspicious, but I had a feeling either her father or friends Carver obviously continued to have in the Navy were pulling strings. The situation already smelled.

“You are correct.”

“I don’t serve the military or anyone else any longer.”

“So you keep telling me,” he jabbed. “Look, I wouldn’t be here if there was anyone else who I thought could do the job. You’re the best at reconnaissance and extraction in dangerous circumstances there ever was.”

“Flattery. How fascinating. What’s in it for you?”

“This is a personal favor, Kage. Juliette is my goddaughter. I haven’t seen her in years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel some responsibility for her welfare. She’s in danger. If she’s sold to any of the players I mentioned, we’ll never get her back.”

Sighing, I sat back in my chair, swirling the mug in my hand. “Who is this girl? Someone famous?”

“An influencer.”

“Huh?”

He chuckled. “Might do you some good to come back to the real world. Up until recently she worked for a huge marketing and advertising firm out of New York. They were damn good, capable of selling igloos to Eskimos. Their work with social media was the darling of the industry. Plus, she was active on social media, highlighting trips she’d taken.

People. Scenery. That kind of thing. You should look her up.

Quite impressive and she had a huge number of followers. ”

Snorting, I looked away. As if I gave a shit. “A crap job.”

“She doesn’t think so. Look, Randolph is willing to pay anything.”

I couldn’t hold back laughter and rubbed my jaw, realizing I hadn’t shaved in several days. Who gave a shit when you lived alone in a cabin in small town with no friends? “I won’t do it for less than a million.” I was tossing out a number for the fuck of it.

“Done. Randolph has a reward out for two million for any reliable information so your services will be a bargain and I guarantee you’ll find her.”

Fuck me. I gritted my teeth. This was the last thing I needed. “Any idea where on the island?”

“Evidently, she had her cell phone in her possession when she was taken. It pinged about fifteen miles away from the condo in Hamilton. Possibly headed to Tucker’s Town, but there are plenty of ways via sea craft to get off the island.”

“So what you’re telling me is that no one is certain she’s still in Bermuda.”

Gray looked sheepish. “No. I’m hopeful though since her friends discovered she was missing quickly, and the seaports and airport were surrounded almost immediately. Every boat and plane was checked. The window for her disappearance off the island was small.”

But not impossible.

After taking another gulp of coffee, the taste became bitter. Why the fuck was I even thinking about doing this?

“I could really use your help here, Kage. You’re the only person capable of saving her life.”

“And if I do?”

“You’ll escort her back to New York, and you’re done.”

Another snort left my lips. Tank mimicked me and I glanced down at him.

I’d spent time doing exercises with the furry creature over the last few days, finding out how decent his nose really was.

I’d hidden things I owned with my scent, positioning them farther and farther away from the house. He’d yet to fail.

“I’ll need a fast, smaller plane and cash for the upfront expenses. A fake ID as well.”

“Done. Already in the works.”

“And I’m taking Tank with me. He’s a former search and rescue dog for a Marine.” Why the hell not lie? I had a feeling I needed all the help I could get.

He shifted his eyes toward the pup. “Unorthodox. There are pet import regulations that might be tricky.”

“I won’t do it without him. Make it happen.”

His laugh was familiar, a reminder of the few good times I’d shared with a damn good group of men I’d been honored to serve beside. “Alright. I’ll have it taken care of by the time you leave later tonight.”

“And I want her goddamn social media addresses.” If she’d been taking pictures on the island, there was a possibility someone used what she’d posted as a method of tracking her down.

He tugged out an envelope. The bastard had counted on me taking him up on the offer. “Got it right here for you along with other pertinent information.”

Just snatching it from his hand meant I’d agreed. Now I was grousing at myself. “Give me your email as well. I’ll send you information to wire half the money prior to me leaving and half when the job is done.”

I could tell my demand had surprised him. If he didn’t think I’d look out for myself, he was fucking nuts.

“Fine.” He pulled out a business card and scribbled something on the back, sliding it across the table as soon as he had.

Snatching the card, I glanced at the front. The man was consulting. Well, good for him.

“My private cell phone number is on the front. It’s secure.

I’ll be your point of contact. Let me know when you’ve extracted her and taken her to safety.

It’s up to you how you want to handle this mission, but rest assured, the men keeping her will be well armed and likely will do whatever is necessary to hunt you down.

” He pulled an envelope from his jacket.

“Credentials in case you’re stopped. They’ll allow you to carry a weapon through customs. Just don’t draw too much attention to yourself. ”

I’d been right. He’d come here fully expecting I’d cave. This time, I made him place the envelope on the table. By the clipped expression on his face, he got the point I was none too happy.

“Her father is clueless who he’s dealing with. Right?” Meaning me. My reputation had remained.

Gray hesitated. “He only knows you’re the only one qualified for the job.”

When I lifted my gaze, I sensed he knew I was the one dismissing him at this point.

He rose to his feet, immediately heading for the door. “I appreciate you doing this, Kage. I know how tough it’s been on you the last few years.”

So much of me wanted to bark that he had no clue whatsoever, but what was the point after all this time? “Yep. It has been.”

There was nothing else that needed to be said.

This was the one favor that I’d fulfill.

After that, I’d insist he lose my name and number.