Page 73 of Bound By Valor

“Not yet,” Zane responded, “But they’ve narrowed down our location to anywhere betweenToronto and Boston. I threw them off their kilter a bit,” he then looked at Sebastian, “Not Brooklyn. Not Flatbush. Not Blackthorn. They have an estimated range of us being anywhere inside some 10% of US landmass. We’re fine!”

“It’s a fucking code red,” Sebastian bellowed.

“I’m a paranoid person. Even the slightest insurgence will trigger a code red,” Zane said.

“How the fuck are you so calm?” Kabir’s voice belied his irritation and Zane simply shrugged.

“Then what code tells us that the enemy is breathing down our necks?” Leora asked, her eyes wide.

“Uh, that’d be code black. The building will sound an alarm and all passages will lock down except for floors below ‘-3’. It’s simple really,” Zane shrugged and I had the sudden urge to roll my eyes.

“So, we’re fine?” Logan asked, rubbing his eyes.

Sebastian gave him a disgusted glance, “Maybe.”

“Oh, fuck yes!” Zane jumped in his chair and pumped both his fists up.

“What?” Sebastian asked.

“Don’t be mad, bossman,” Zane laughed, “But I sort of planned this. I mean, I didn’t expect it to trigger a code red and disturb your beauty sleep, but I had left something traceable for their team to find. Think of it like a fishhook. Yes, it could lead them right to us, but if they grab it, we can trace that signal. Or fish, whatever.”

“So, you found the holding location?” I sighed.

“Warehouse unit 67, Port of Brooklyn,” Zane smiled.

Tension rolled off of me and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fucking hell, Specter!” Sebastian mumbled.

Leora looked up at me, “Call sign?”

I nodded. Leora’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “What’s going to be my call sign?” she bounced on her heels, her voice tinged with anticipation.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, a smile playing on my lips. “I’m not sure yet,Mi Corazón. What do you think suits you?”

Before Leora could answer, Booth chimed in with a smirk, “How about ‘Doc’?”

I expected Leora to scoff at the suggestion, especially coming from Booth. But to my surprise, a genuine smile spread across her face. “I like ‘Doc’,” she declared, looping her arms around my neck.

“Well then, Leora ‘Doc’ Mateez it is,” I said, sealing the new title with a kiss.

“Get a fucking room,” Logan yawned.

“Seriously,” Zane chimed in.

“We were just in there until you dragged us out,” Leora snapped and a fit of laughter erupted.

“Since I’m already up, I’ll work with you, Zane,” Kabir trudged towards the chair next to Zane and plopped down yawning.

“Rest of you, get some sleep,” Sebastian said, “We’ll meet at 0700 hours with schematics and start the brainstorming.”

We all nodded and headed back to our rooms. I saw Amelia stay behind and curiously look at the screens in front of Zane and Kabir.

As we collapsed on the bed in our room again, I heard Leora whisper something to me.

“What was that, baby?”

Then she grumbled angrily, “Argh! I said I love you, Zarek ‘Ghost’ Rivera.”

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