Page 20 of Bear

Crush shrugged. “Buried it. Once I find out where it came from, I’ll figure out what to do next.”

“We didn’t dare even bring the thing near the compound.” Byte picked up the explanation. “Even with the battery out and the whole thing taken apart, we weren’t sure if it was safe.” He shook his head. “Didn’t want that thing anywhere near us. Crush didn’t even use his burner phone to call me after being in close proximity to her phone.”

“This something normal with spooks today?”

Crush tilted his head. “I wouldn’t say normal. There are several devices I’m aware of that might do something similar, but not to this degree. It was hard to figure out, but once that thing is on, there’s no guarantee I could prevent it from…” He paused and shook his head slightly, like he couldn’t believe what he was about to say. “I was in a relatively rural area when I turned on the phone. Within seconds, I started getting data from every single phone on that particular cell tower and the two open Wi-Fi networks close to me. Just two houses in the neighborhood. But now, that phone has access to every one of those devices anytime it’s connected to a public access network or cell tower and is able to receive data.”

“Huh. That’s pretty hard core. ‘Course, it’s the government.” Ringo shrugged, obviously not impressed. “It didn’t get in here. Olivia was searched thoroughly, her clothes replaced and everything she had with her left behind. Venus found the phone and didn’t turn it on.”

“No, but I’m replacing her phone anyway. Everyone who was near Olivia. Just in case. Any electronics that got anywhere near that thing needs replacing. Including the fuckin’ cages.” Crush grumbled. “This is gonna be a fuckin’ nightmare. And, honestly, Rocket. If that phone picked up on any of the navigation systems, they already know where we are.”

Rocket crossed his arms over his chest, studying Crush. “We’ll figure that out later. Keep the damage as minimal as you can. If we have to replace the vehicles, we will.”

“Already moved anything that might possibly have come near that phone to a section of the property well away from the compound. Thankfully, all but the ride you guys came in was still in town when I figured it out. So it’s gonna take a while, but I can fix that.”

“Next thing,” Rocket continued. “What does the CIA want with us?”

“Olivia indicated they’ve got some kind of grudge against us,” I said. “Want to put us in our place. She said she has proof.” I handed Crush a piece of paper. “Olivia said that’s her cloud account. Said the video she took from her phone is backed up there.”

Crush and Byte looked at each other. The pair was creepy like that. They seemed to know what the other was thinking. “Could be more of the same technology,” Crush muttered, not taking his gaze from his brother. “What do you think?”

“We can do it remotely. I’ve got a clean laptop I use for testing. I’ll take it somewhere safe and check into it. Just to be safe, I’m not bringing it back for anyone here to see.” Byte looked at Rocket. “You’ll have to take my word for it.”

Lemon waved him off. “Don’t see why we need anything else. You say it’s so, it’s so. I’m more concerned about why she was chosen to be the one to hunt us down.” Lemon’s face could have been carved from granite. This was the vice president of Grim Road, determined to get to the bottom of the situation. It always amazed me how grown up she was. The woman was born for this life if anyone was. “Is there any way they’ve targeted Ringo or Bear in particular?”

“It’s me,” I said. “Leon Black is after me.”

“He’s a motherfucker of the first order,” Rocket muttered. “I’d really hoped the world had seen the last of that prick.”

“It’s all because of the Tripoli incident.” I shifted my feet. “Leon didn’t get reprimanded or anything. He managed to put most of it off on me. But it cost him a high cabinet seat and possibly a bid for the White House. Not to mention he was in line for the directorship of the CIA and that went to shit immediately after.”

“Makes sense he’d hold a grudge.” Rocket rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Happened on his watch, and they couldn’t really do anything to you unless they found you. We took care of that.”

“So, what now?” Lemon parked her ass against Rocket’s desk, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Now,” Rocket said, leaning in to kiss Lemon on the temple, “we hunt this guy down and let him know he’s way the fuck out of bounds.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Your woman on board?”

“She’s mine and knows it.” I gave Rocket a level look. “She’s probably gonna balk at severing ties with her father, but I think it needs doin’. He’s part of the reason she’s in this position in the first Goddamned place.”

“Oh?”

“Apparently, Black and his bunch have something on the man. He’s got some kind of international business with offices all over. Liv said Black threatened to expose him for stealin’ money or something. She wasn’t clear on the details. Only overheard part of the conversation.”

“Do you trust her?” Bullet asked the question quietly. I knew my brother was only asking what needed to be asked.

“I’ve known her for a few hours, man. My mind is cautious, but my heart wants to believe her.”

“You’re in pretty fuckin’ deep for as fast as this has happened, Bear. That’s not like you.” Ringo weighed in and, even though it irritated me, I knew he was right.

“If I could tell you why she calls to me on this kind of level I would, Ringo. I can’t even explain it to myself, so I can’t explain it to you. But Black is CIA. It’s his business to know his people. Like it or not, I was once on his team.”

“You think he sent her to you because he knew she was the type of woman you’d go for? Did he know you that well?” Rocket narrowed his eyes as he spoke, likely thinking really hard about the whole situation.

“You know the CIA as well or better than I do, Rocket. Those bastards know a man inside and out before they hire him. I was on Leon Black’s team for three years. So, yeah. I have no doubt that bastard handpicked Olivia.”

“And you’re still claiming her?” Rocket looked frustrated. “Bear, you know I think you’re the most capable man here. I’d trust you to have my back in any situation for any reason. But are you sure, really sure, about this?”

“I know it’s crazy, Rocket. I know what’s at stake. But she’s mine. If she works against us, I’ll accept responsibility. But I want her protected.”

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