Page 22 of Weston

“I’d like a spring wedding,” Julia stated. “And this guy…well, he wants tomorrow.”

“That’s right. The sooner the better, baby.”

“Yeah, Ward,” Chaz called out, “you better make it official before she comes to her senses and runs off with someone else.”

Brand kept his arms around Julia and guided her over to the table where everyone sat, kissing her temple and flipping Chaz off. “Watch it, Madden, or I’m going to tell Lottie to refuse you service.”

“And what a shame that would be,” Lex said, bright blue eyes filled with mirth. “Because we all know Chaz dreams about getting serviced by Lottie.”

The men erupted in laughter, and Julia looked over at Ellie and rolled her eyes.

“Fuck off,” the big man grumbled, but Ellie could see how color rose in his cheeks. Whoever Lottie was, it couldn’t be more clear that Chaz Madden was crushing on her big-time.

Wes tugged Ellie over to the table by the fireplace and she sat down across from Julia. Having another woman in the room gave her a sense of comfort. While Wes lowered himself down beside her on the left and adjusted his prosthetic, Corey sat down on her right. Tucked between the two large men, Ellie felt more safe than ever before.

“Okay, fellas, I should have Mitch online in a minute,” Jayson announced.

Xander rolled his broad shoulders back and crossed his arms. “What’s the big news? Anyone know?”

“They found something on the laptop we retrieved,” Brand said, sitting down next to Julia. “Sounds like we’re going to have a new mission.”

“Bring it on,” Lex said. “I’m ready to blow this pop stand.”

“We just got back from Indonesia,” Jayson stated. “I barely saw Emma and you’re ready to go already?”

Lex shrugged a shoulder. “What can I say? I’m a rolling stone.”

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” a deep voice said and all attention turned to the monitor Jayson spun around. Mitch Evans, though clearly in his sixties, was still a very attractive man with silver hair, the same brown eyes as his daughter Julia, and a serious edge that warned others he was a man to be reckoned with. His face softened as he added, “And ladies. Hello, Julia, honey. And, Wes, I’m happy you got your wife back.”

“Thank you,” Wes said, and Ellie sent their handler a small smile.

“So, as you know, the CIA was keen on retrieving that laptop because it held an encrypted file. To be more precise, a map.”

“What kind of map?” Brand asked, leaning forward.

“One that leads to buried treasure?” Chaz joked.

“Not exactly. More like a Broken Arrow.”

Chapter Ten

“Oh, shit,” Brand said.

The air tensed and Wes frowned. A Broken Arrow was the code name for a lost nuke.

“Shit’s right,” Mitch stated solemnly. “The last thing we want is for someone to get their hands on it and sell it to China.”

“What’s the location?” Wes asked.

“That’s where things get tricky and why we need to move fast,” Mitch said, eyeing the team. “According to CIA analysts, it’s sitting at the bottom of the sea, dangerously close to shore. We need you to retrieve it before anyone else does.”

“I hope you former frogs still have your fins,” Lex said with a smirk, “because this op sounds right up your alley.”

“You might have to get your wings wet on this one, Maverick,” Brand said.

“Not if I can help it,” Lex grumbled.

“Here’s what we know,” Mitch continued. “Intel states there could be more than ten thousand wrecks littering the ocean floor in and around Indonesia. Last year’s tsunami stirred up wreckage and renewed interest, attracting looters who don’t care about historical preservation. Even local fishermen are finding valuable items.”

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