Page 18 of Bound By Valor

“Rivera 32577,” I answered with my squad code.

“Brewer 28190, I have intel on Casteel. He was in contact with his cousin, Jerome Tyson. Son of Garret Tyson.”

“Fuck,” I muttered, frustration boiling inside me. Garret Tyson was a thorn in our side, deeply entrenched with the US and Chinese governments, facilitating critical trade routes for electronic goods and services. Rumors had even linked him to the 2024 US Presidential candidate George Aiden and theChinese President Xi Xiaxu. Our mission in Alpha Squad Six was to disrupt these trade routes without touching his other operations.For now.

Out of the nine original Bridgewood Alpha Squads, only three were operational and two were active, Squad Six, my crew, and Squad Two, Lancaster Brewer’s crew.

“Copy. What’s the current status of Jerome and Garret?”

Brewer continued. “Alive. The hideout is in Bali, Indonesia. They’re keeping ops open using Casteel. You won’t believe what they’re trading now. Twenty-five units of Crazon were imported last Friday that you tried to intercept. It’s an AI-based pocket watch. Does anything you would expect of a fucking high-end security unit.”

“Is it available for sale? I’m assuming no, but need to confirm,” I asked.

“Affirmative. Not for sale,” after a moment's silence Lancaster cursed, “Fuck. There’s another shipment approved by Candor Imports Inc. in Florida. It’s owned by Jerome Tyson.”

“Brewer, I need your squad in Florida. What’s the destination?”

“You’re not going to like this. It’s Toronto. I think you should keep HQ safe. Move to a different safe house.”

“Copy. I’ll send you our new links in 48 hours. Goodbye.”

I hung up and lowered my head at the gym table. Logan walked up behind me.

“Any developments?”

“Casteel is Jerome Tyson’s cousin. Trading in new units of Crazon through Candor Imports in Florida.Squad Two to intercept. We’re on delivery as backup. We gotta move to a secondary location. Get the crew ready.”

“What about her?” Logan jerked his chin up at Leora.

Fuck. Leaving her behind could make her a target again for Jerome and Casteel, who would use her to draw us out.

“She comes with us.” I decided. She needed to be close, where I could ensure her safety.

Leaving Logan to relay the plan to Leora, I made a beeline for my room. I packed with military precision, stuffing essentials into a duffel bag. Every second counted.

As I thundered down the stairs, ready to swap the plates on our long-commuter SUVs, Amelia intercepted me. Her presence was a calm amidst the storm.

“Dylan and Kabir are ready to leave,” she reported crisply.

“Great. Leave emergency ammo in the X6 and get the Escalade ready for me, Logan, and Leora. Can Leora borrow your clothes?” I asked, running a hand through my hair.

“I got Kabir to pick up some essentials from her apartment this afternoon,” Amelia responded efficiently, her tone light but her eyes sharp with focus.

I nodded appreciatively. “This is why you’re my best member.”

Amelia’s lips twitched. “Can I tell that to Logan?”

“Tell him after we’re out of this mess,” I quipped back, the corner of my mouth lifting in a rare smile despite the tension.

TEN

Leora

So, he’d been watching me. Actually stalking me. And he’d admitted it. But why did it bother me more that he was a coward, hiding in the shadows, rather than the fact that he was a stalker? Why did it irk me that he couldn’t just protect me openly, instead of taking these sneaky, invasive steps? And dammit, why was I still caught up on the striking lines of his jaw? The irresistible ridges of his muscles?

Shit. Stop.

Every time I saw him, it was like a rush of all those intense, unfiltered desires came flooding back. I’d built up this image of him in my head, and somehow, he was still outdoing it.

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