Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
“Azami Yoshiie moved one of their satellites for us to use,” Joe said. “She’s married to Sam Johnson, a GhostWalker from Team One. Her family owns Samurai Telecommunications, so we were able to get a satellite for our exclusive use. The Indonesian government has sent their military into the area to keep everyone away from the lab and you. They’ll stay away as well. Their orders are very clear.”
Joe glanced over his shoulder for a moment, which told Draden he wasn’t alone and someone, most likely high up in the military, was monitoring everything said.
“That’s good,” Draden said. “We’re taking out as many of the MSS as possible. They’re well entrenched in the village, but the people don’t want them there.” He didn’t want the military sending soldiers in. There would be a slaughter.
Joe turned his head to talk to someone behind him out of sight. When he did, Shylah slipped up behind Draden, her arms around his neck, chin on his shoulder. Draden’s heart slammed hard in his chest before settling into a strong rhythm. She was showing the others they were together, a team. He reached up and covered one of her hands with his.
“Shylah!” Bellisia called out, uncaring that Ezekiel remained in front. She was tiny, but she just went around him, so she was practically sitting in his lap.
Trap heaved a huge sigh, which Draden wanted to laugh at. He didn’t. Not with strangers around, but he wanted to. Trap didn’t have much use for niceties and having Bellisia hog the computer when he obviously wanted to talk about the virus was almost more than he could take.
“I’m right here,” Shylah said. “We’re good. Wish we had some decent food.”
“We’re arranging for food,” Joe said. “You ladies have the floor for a couple of minutes and then we have to get down to business.”
Bellisia rolled her eyes, but she didn’t sass Joe. It was never a good idea, and she’d been there long enough for Joe to have assimilated her into the team. She was the best they had in the water, lethal as hell, but she also knew, when push came to shove, Joe was in command.
Bellisia touched the screen and immediately Shylah put her palm up as well. Smiles faded, and they stared at each other.
“Where’s Zara?”
Hearing her voice, Draden tightened his hand around hers to give her strength and to let her know he was with her.
“She was sent away with Nonny, Pepper, Cayenne and the three little ones. If someone is planning to set loose a virus on our teams, Team Two has the facility to protect our loved ones,” Ezekiel said.
“That’s a good idea. I wish you’d gone with them, Bellisia,” Shylah said. “I need to know you and Zara are safe. Both of you.”
“We need warriors here, Shylah,” Bellisia was gentle. “You know what I can do. Around here, there is a great deal of water.”
Shylah turned her hand so that her fingers threaded through Draden’s, seeking comfort. His hand wrapped around hers, surrounding it, holding her to him.
“I know, Bellisia. I wouldn’t have left either, but that doesn’t stop me from needing to know what Draden and I are doing isn’t for nothing. You’re family. My only family, you and Zara. I like knowing you’re safe. Picturing you happy with your husband. Zara as well.”
“I am happy,” Bellisia assured. She glanced over her shoulder at the man standing behind her.
“Trap, why did you send Cayenne with them? I would have thought she would have come with you or stayed there to protect our homes,” Draden said. Trap had to have sent her. Cayenne would never have left him any other way. She obeyed one man only. She was a wild card, and Joe knew it. She trained with them and she protected their home and families, but she was always with Trap.
Trap suddenly looked uncomfortable. “She’ll kill me if I say anything.”
Bellisia gasped and glared at Trap through the computer screen. “She’s pregnant. You wouldn’t send her away for any other reason. She’s pregnant.”
“That true, Trap?” Joe asked, his tone annoyed.
“Yeah. She’s been pregnant for a while. She didn’t want anyone to know, and she doesn’t really show much.”
“Is she seeing a doctor?” Joe demanded.
“Nonny is seeing to her.”
Trap ran his finger around the neck of his shirt. He was wearing a T-shirt so Draden couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re going to be a father, Trap.”
Trap gave him a look that would have made anyone else drop dead right on the spot. “Fuckin’ gonna put a cap in your head,” he warned.
Draden shrugged. “Not much of a threat when I’m dying anyway.”
“Might help you along,” Trap said.
“We’re being monitored,” Joe reminded. “Wrap it up, ladies.”
Draden felt Shylah’s breath catch as she pressed her front to his back tightly. “We saved a tiger today, Bellisia. The Sumatran tigers are so rare, maybe only four hundred remain in the entire world and we saved one today. Or rather, Draden really did. You should have seen him. I never saw anyone move so fast.”