Page 34 of Dangerous Mission

“Fuck,” Cy said. “What the fuck was the CIA thinking? Those men are part of the Karva Organization. Look at the tattoos on the backs of their necks.”

Axel itched to run down and figure out what the hell they did with Hex, Terri’s friend. But the organization was large and operated in so many different countries that he wasn’t sure if they would know any info.

“Do you think the CIA saw the video?” Axel paused. “But why wouldn’t they just send us the information or take these guys down?”

Hudson growled, “If they interfered, it could blow their cover. It’s easier to send someone else to do their dirty work. They knew you wouldn’t be able to sit back and do nothing if you could get answers. And they sure as hell know your team will do whatever it takes to help you.”

“Doesn’t answer why they think I would be on the mission. The video had me in DC. How could they possibly know I would end up on the trip? It’s not like anyone knew Ginger would break his leg.”

The comm went deathly silent.

“How sure are we that Ginger didn’t break his own leg?” Lucky asked in a deep Southern twang.

Ginger was the newest member of the team and didn’t interact with anyone outside of missions. Not once had he shown up to a barbecue or helped another team member move. SEAL teams were known for their brotherhood, but he hadn’t strived past working in the field together. None of the others knew much about his past. He’d only been part of the team for a little over a year.

The guys had talked before about whether Ginger really wanted to be part of the team, but at no point had Axel wondered whether he’d hurt himself on purpose.

“It’s not something we can solve now.”

Hudson peered at him. “What do you want to do?”

“I need answers. The longer we wait, the more trouble Terri might be in. The press flashed her face around, so the cartel knows she is responsible for April getting free.”

The door to the hut opened, and the woman glared at the men as they carried out a wooden case. Faint red paint showed on the side of the wood, but the words had faded so much that Axel couldn’t make anything out.

A couple of the men jumped out of the back of the Jeep and helped hoist the crate up.

“I want to talk to the woman,” Axel said.

Cy’s voice crackled over the comm. “I’m going to follow the Jeep with the satellite.”

“I got you in my scope,” Doc said. He was to the right along with Lucky.

Axel and Hudson’s hike down the steep incline took a while as their boots slid across the muddy surface. When they reached the hut, Hudson banged on the door.

The woman opened it and glared up at him. “You’re late.” Her words came out in perfect English with no accent.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. You were expecting us?” Hudson asked.

She rolled her eyes and opened the door wider. “You were supposed to come down from the tree way before those men showed up. Now you’ve ruined everything.”

Axel blinked and tried to understand. “Ma’am, we were under the impression that a terrorist by the name of Carter came here a few days ago. We had no clue what to expect.”

She tapped her bare foot, which was caked in dirt, against the wooden floor. “I don’t know a man named Carter. God, I hate working with the CIA. They can never do as they’re told. It was simple—get the word out that a man was in my custody then come and rescue him before he was taken by the Karva Organization. No way for me to help that man, because he wanted to be taken so he could get information. And stop calling me ma’am. Lila will do just fine.”

“And who do you work for?”

Axel asked. Because he still hadn’t grasped what was going on. Hudson had broken away from him and walked to the living room. The woman didn’t seem one bit scared of having two navy SEALs in her home. That bothered him. And she’d known they were up in the tree, which he needed answers about.

“I don’t work for anyone. I have a personal mission, and normally, I don’t bother with the CIA or you guys because it could blow my cover. No, I’m not telling you my stories. But the man they carried away was worried about the US president’s daughter. Terri and I were roommates in college. She’s a good person. He needed to get back to her with his information. I told him to get the SEAL from TV down here. My contact said you guys would make it in time or apprehend the man.”

Cy’s voice came over the line with the location of the Jeep. Doc and Lucky were breaking off and heading in the other direction for a rescue mission.

Casper called Axel’s name from the living room, and he turned from the lady. A large screen caught his attention as he walked into the room. Cameras covered the jungle. She even had a computer station set up with six monitors.

Though he knew it was a stupid question, he asked, “How do you have power and internet?”

“I keep solar panels a few miles away and ran a cable underground, and satellite feed gives me internet. It took me years to set up this operation, and I’m not going to let it get ruined because of you guys.”

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