Page 3 of Lyon

Then, my heart soared—it wasan American plane.

Now I just had to convince them to take me with them.

Dressed in a black wig, with brown contacts and dark smudges across my face, I was unrecognizable. Even Max wouldn’t know it was me. I had done a damn good job of disguising myself.

As the plane doors opened, I saw them step out.Army Special Forces.

My stomach tightened with anticipation.These were the guys I needed.But would they really go into Afghanistan dressed like that?

I glanced down at myself—tight blue jeans, boots, and a black T-shirt. Maybe I should change. Should I wear what the local women wore? Or see if they had extra fatigues I could borrow?

My eyes stung from the dark brown contacts. I blinked a few times, trying to ease the irritation, then squared my shoulders and strode toward them.

“Excuse me! Excuse me! Are you going into Afghanistan?” I demanded, hurrying up to them. “If you are, I need to go with you. I’m searching for the Americans trapped there. My brother is one of them.I always knew he wasn’t dead. Now, I can prove it to my mom and dad.”

The group turned, all eyes locking on me.

A big, handsome guy stepped forward. “Uh, I’m sorry, but we don’t take civilians with us. It’s way too dangerous—it’s dangerous for us, too. Give me your brother’s name, and we’ll look for him.” His brows furrowed. “I’m surprised they even let you stay here.”

“I don’t need anyone taking care of me. I can handle myself,” I said. “I told them I was waiting for someone, and when you guys flew in, I thought you’d be perfect for my cover.” I crossed my arms. “If you don’t take me with you, I’ll just follow you.”

The big guy sighed. “I’m sure you can take care of yourself, but you’re notcoming with us. We’re a team—we train together and fight together. You’d only complicate things.”

“There are four of us,” he continued. “We have a buddy system. How are we supposed to work that with five?” His voice was firm. “The answer is no.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t have to be such an asshole about it. You don’t even know me.”

I took a breath, forcing my temper down. “Look, I don’t need to be part of your little ‘buddy system.’ I just need someone to show me where the damn Americans are so I can get my brother and get the hell out of here.”

His expression remained stone cold.

I huffed. “If you don’t want me to go with you, fine. But Iwillfollow you. Whether I’m with you or on my own, I’m going. My brother is out there, locked up somewhere. I’m getting him out.”

I glared up at the man towering over me. He had at least a foot on me—but I wasn’t intimidated. His blond hair fell over his forehead, and his smoky blue eyes burned right through me.

Damn.

My panties were suddenly wet.

I clenched my jaw, shaking off the thought. Not the time, Niki.

I stepped around him, ready to plead my case to one of the other men, but he moved with me, blocking my way.

I stepped again. He blocked me.

Again. Blocked.

Was this asshole laughingat me?

I tilted my head up, locking eyes with him. “If you don’t move, I will lay you out on the ground and embarrass you.”

And the bastard laughed.

My father always warned me—Niki, that red hair of yours is going to get you in trouble.

Now I knew what he meant.

Before I could stop myself, I had the big guy on the ground, flat on his back, before he even realized what hit him.

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