Page 4 of Weston

“Dammit,” she hissed. A sharp breath escaped her lungs. She had so many questions swirling through her head. What happened to the others? Had she hit her head in a scuffle and they’d tossed her overboard? Who was Wes?

As hard as she tried, Ellie couldn’t muster up an image or identity. Just his name. Wes. But now she knew he was the one who’d made sure she and her research team had security. Poor Paul. She felt awful. And what about the others? Had they died, too? Was she the lone survivor? What had they been studying? Why had they traveled so far?

Who was Wes?

His name elicited a guttural response, tugging something deep inside her like no other memory had before. Not even her own name. Was he her significant other? Her husband? Maybe a brother, father or uncle? Or, possibly just a close friend who’d been concerned for her safety being so far away from home?

Whoever he was, she wanted answers. But sometimes, it felt like the more she dug around in her head and tried to force it, the more her mind closed down, refusing to cooperate. With a resigned sigh, she scooped up a handful of sand and watched as it sifted through her fingers. Maybe she wouldn’t get any more answers today, but she refused to give up.

“Your name is Ellie,” she whispered to herself, focusing on what she knew. “You were on a research vessel that was overtaken by pirates. They shot Paul, your security, but you managed to escape. Wes tried to make sure you stayed safe.”

Who was Wes?She hated not knowing because he must’ve been someone important. Someone who cared about her on more than a casual level. Ellie looked down at the ring finger on her left hand. Of course, there was no ring there. Had there ever been one? She had no idea if she was married. Maybe she was wearing a wedding ring and the pirates had stolen it. Or, maybe she was single.

Ellie sat on the beach for another hour, willing answers into fruition. But, none came.

???

After Brand filled the team in on the basics, Wes opened his laptop and connected the group to General Mitchell Evans. The former four-star Army General greeted them from his home in Washington D.C. Even at sixty-seven, Mitch was a force to be reckoned with and Wes knew better than to underestimate him. He was the ultimate warrior—a combination of Bond and Stallone. Exactly the kind of man Wes had always dreamed of being.

“Hello, boys.” Mitch leaned back in his chair and, without preamble, directed his attention to Brand and asked, “How’s my daughter?”

“Julia’s perfect. Never been so content,” Brand stated, mouth edging up in a cocky grin. “Right now, she’s out on the patio painting the view.”

Mitch harrumphed. “Good. I’d expect nothing less.”

“So, what have you got for us?” Brand asked, switching into mission mode.

“According to my intel, the crew we’re after refers to themselves as the Sea Dogs and I sent you the calling card they’ve been leaving.”

“Yeah, I shared it with the team,” Brand confirmed.

Wes pulled up the image for the others to see again and a chill ran down his spine. These had to be the same fuckers who killed Ellie. Suppressing his anger, he released a slow, deliberate breath. He was ready to put heads on spikes.

“I’m sending over pictures and a dossier now,” Mitch said, and when Wes’ email dinged a moment later, he opened the attached files. “This is an Indonesian crew and those five photos are the main targets to be neutralized. The ringleaders.”

“Piracy in the South China Sea and surrounding areas is nothing new,” Chaz commented. “What’s so special about these idiots that the CIA wants them taken out?”

“Yeah,” Jayson murmured thoughtfully. “Whose rowboat did they shit in to draw that kind of attention?”

“They took something and we need to get it back.”

“Took what?” Brand asked.

“Some very sensitive intel. Aside from neutralizing your targets, your other job is to find the Sea Dogs HQ and raid it. We need a specific laptop returned.”

“A laptop?” Lex echoed, leaning back and tapping a finger on the table. “What exactly is on said laptop?”

“Important files the CIA wants back. The pirates hijacked a yacht two weeks ago, killed all the passengers on board and took everything of value. Luckily, the files are encrypted, but we can’t risk anyone possibly deciphering and reading them.”

“Roger that,” Brand murmured.

“These assholes are getting bolder. Punitive response against pirates in the area is very lackadaisical. It’s like a free-for-all out there.”

“Why’s that?” Corey asked.

“The area is hotly disputed,” Mitch said. “China, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines have been wrangling over this territory forever. The South China Sea is a major shipping route, making it a magnet for pirates. China claims the largest portion of territory in an area demarcated by its controversial ‘nine-dash line’. So, while their Navy patrols the northern area, the south sea is like the Wild West.”

“And there’s the magic word—China. Explains why we’re going in and not the US military.” Xander crossed his arms. “It’s even too hot for the CIA?”