Page 43 of Trapped (Sheppard & Sons Investigations #6)
Nathan
T he coordinates marked a clearing in a wooded area thirty minutes east of Weathford. Cate called the FBI and asked for access to any surveillance in the area.
Jamie and Doug mapped access routes to the small, rundown cabin.
Jay planned our entry.
Dean occupied Violet in the break room.
“I don’t see anywhere for Jamie and me to set up nests. We’ll go in with the teams.”
“Copy that. Kroup will join us on Bravo. We’ll get him up to speed when he gets here.” I wasn’t worried about him fitting in with the team.
“Have you heard back?” Jack asked.
“No, but he’ll be here.” Kroup had my back as a SEAL. He had my back after the Perpura op went south and I needed a place to lie low and recover. He’d have my back now.
Five minutes later, my phone rang.
“Hey Kroup.”
“Dude, are you fucking serious?”
“Yes.”
“Details.”
“You’ll get them. ETA?”
“Havoc and I are twenty out.”
“Kitted?”
“Full kit and ready to rumble.”
“Drive safe.” I hit the end button. “He’s on his way.”
“It’s been a hot minute since I’ve worked with a dog,” Jaden said.
“Havoc is one of the best.”
Jay looked at Cate and wiggled his eyebrows. “Should I worry about you with all these Navy SEALs around?”
She slapped his arm and said she’d take a grunt over a taxi driver any day. Jay smiled and pulled her in for a hug. Watching as he kissed her temple before letting her go made me desperate to hold Ashley again.
We’d finally started our second chance less than twenty-four hours ago, and now she was gone. In Al’s psychotic clutches.
“Jamie, can I talk to you?” I nodded my head towards his office.
“Sure.” He followed me and closed the door behind him. “What’s up?”
“Ashley’s pregnant.”
“I know.” He leaned on his desk. “Have a seat.”
Needing a pause, I did.
“I don’t want to betray her trust, but the team should know.”
“I’ll leave it up to you, but I don’t think we need to tell them yet.”
“They need to be careful.”
“Nathan, they’ll do everything in their power to rescue her without hurting her.”
“What would you do?”
“I’d wait. Knowing might make them worry more. They’re already giving a hundred and ten percent; I wouldn’t put that on them.”
He was right; there was no reason to reveal Ashley’s secret yet. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. Anything else?” He stood.
I shook my head and stood. “Actually, there is.” I held out my hand. “Thanks for not kicking my ass to the curb when I deserved it.”
He shook my hand and laughed. “You’re welcome. Can I assume your willingness to work with the team is long term?”
“Yes, sir. The lone wolf thing sucked.”
“Good. Let’s go get your girl.”
We were setting up comms when my phone buzzed.
Kroup’s text was one word: Here.
After letting him and Havoc in, I introduced him to anyone he hadn’t met.
“Do you have something of Ashley’s with her scent?” Kroup asked once the introductions were over.
“In my truck. Jay, bring him up to speed while I go get it.”