Page 57 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Mason

Islamabad, Pakistan

2020

“Mrs. Laskin, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Your husband has said such lovely things about you.” A man bows slightly as Millie and Alex walk hand-in-hand out of the plane. What looks like a delegation from the Pakistan government gestures them toward a waiting limousine.

“It’s my pleasure,” Millie says. “I’ve been so looking forward to spending time in your beautiful country.”

She’s pulled the scarf up to cover her head. I can’t see her face, but her words sound sincere. She might be better at this than she thought.

“You okay?” Ty walks up behind me.

“Yeah, I’m all good,” I say brusquely. “Let’s get geared up. You’re driving. Stay on them, but we need to arrive a few minutes after them.”

He nods as he walks down toward our waiting SUV. I’ve already sent JJ, Hawk, and Mouse to the embassy with our extra supplies—rifles, ammo, body armor, night vision. The government has agreed to let some of us stay in the hotel, but we’re only allowed one pistol and three extra mags each. I’ve never been this lightly armed on a mission. I don’t like it at all. When Millie’s head disappears into the limousine, I climb into the SUV.

“I wish one of us could be in there with her,” I mutter under my breath.

“She’ll be fine,” Butch says. “If anything happens, we’re on her in no more than ten seconds.”

I nod. I’ve prepared for everything I think can go wrong on this mission, but I know there’s still so many variables I haven’t accounted for—and that’s making me more tense than usual.

“Bryce, you manage to get those extra mags out of the plane?” I ask.

“Yeah. They’re in my shorts. If they search for them, I’m at least hoping the pat-down will be by a woman.”

“Good luck with that in Pakistan,” Butch says. “And you’re using those mags. I don’t want to even touch them.”

Ty pulls into the outer circle of the reception area at the hotel. We watch as Millie and Alex exit the limousine—still annoyingly holding hands. When they disappear into the hotel, we pull up to the valet.

“Welcome, gentlemen,” the valet says. “If you’ll step out, I’ll have someone park your car.”

“Thanks, chief, but I’m going to park my own car. Just point me in the right direction,” Ty says.

The valet starts to protest when a man walks quickly up to him. “Let them park their own car. Americans have different needs than we do.”

He turns to me. “Welcome to the Serena. I’m the hotel manager. The Ministry Secretary has told me privately you are part of Mr. Laskin’s delegation,” he says quietly. “I have arranged for you to stay in an adjoining room to their suite. Of course, the door can be locked from either side . . . if the newlyweds require privacy.”

“Good to know,” I say, grabbing my key cards out of his hand.

“Room 402,” he says, looking down. “And I’m assuming you have adhered to the government’s rules on weaponry.”

“You’re welcome to check our bags if you like.” I motion toward where Butch and Bryce are standing. Bryce waves his arm over our luggage as he peers at the manager over the top of his sunglasses.

“That won’t be necessary,” the manager says as he walks away as quickly as he came.

When we get in the room, I try to open the adjoining door. It’s still locked on their side. I knock. Millie opens it almost immediately. She’s holding a change of clothes including undergarments. I hope she knows she’s not changing in front of him.

“Master Chief,” Alex says as he walks swiftly over to me. “As I’ve already told you, we have eyes watching us at all times. We’re supposed to be strangers. We can’t have you coming into our room.”

I ignore him and look back at Millie. “You okay?”

She smiles and nods. “I’m good. We’re getting ready to have dinner on the patio off the lobby. And hopefully start making contacts with some of Azayiz’s old friends.”

“You want to change in our room? I’ll make the guys leave.”

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