Breaking Away (Delta Force Strong #3) - Elle James Page 0,6

that a lowly female—no offense—took out three of their best soldiers, one of them being the brother of one of their leaders.”

Kylie shook her head, her lips twisted. “I really didn’t have time to ask him who he was when I shot him. He was trying to shoot me.”

Mac and his team marched Kylie through the maze of temporary buildings and Conex box quarters and tents until they came to a metal structure. Rucker knocked on the door.

Someone inside called out, “Come in.”

They gathered in what was a conference room or briefing center with the Delta team’s commanding officer.

Rucker gave a brief explanation of what had occurred, and the role Kylie had played in killing Ahktar’s brother.

The CO nodded his head when Rucker was finished and turned to Kylie.

“Sir,” Kylie said. “I’m under contract to get my story out. Time is key.”

The commander nodded. “And I’m under contract with the U.S. government to protect its people.”

“I need to get to my hotel room and my computer,” Kylie said.

The CO gave a chin lift to Dash and Rucker. “Send someone to this woman’s hotel room and collect her belongings. She’ll be staying on base until we can ship her out to Kabul.”

A frown pinched Kylie’s brow. “Don’t I have a say in what happens to me?”

The commander shook his head. “You lost that say when you chose to take a military weapon and shoot Afghan civilians.”

“But they weren’t civilians,” Kylie protested. “They were members of the Taliban.”

“But you are a civilian and a female,” the commander said. “The Taliban won’t like that you killed one of their own. Especially when they learn you’re female.”

Mac’s lips twisted on the corners.

Kylie’s eyes narrowed.

After the CO walked away, Kylie glared at Mac. “Don’t you dare laugh.”

He held up his hands in surrender. “I just know how you are. When someone tells you one thing and you want to do something else, you dig in your heels.” His smile faded. “Look, Kylie, it’s for your own good. You’re going to have a price on your head.”

The commander stopped at the door and turned back. “Mac.”

Mac faced his commanding officer. “Yes, sir.”

“I’m making you responsible for keeping an eye on our guest,” the commander said.

“Thank you, sir…I mean, yes, sir!” Mac said.

The CO’s brow furrowed. “Is that going to be a conflict of interest?”

“Sir?” Mac said.

“I take it that you two know each other.”

Mac nodded. “Yes, sir. From way back.”

“You know the rules about fraternizing in theater,” the older man said.

“Yes, sir,” Mac said.

“Don’t let it happen,” the commander said, with a stern look and left the building.

Chapter 3

Kylie nearly laughed at the way Mac stood so tall and straight while his commander told him not to screw up.

“It won’t matter,” Mac said. “Once burned, twice shy.”

Kylie snorted. “I’ve never known you to be shy.”

Mac’s lips twisted. “Maybe not with people, but with old flames? Definitely shy.” His lips thinned to a straight line as he stared into Kylie’s eyes. “Guess you’re stuck with me.”

“What about me?” Josh the cameraman asked.

“If I’m staying on the base,” Kylie said, lifting her chin, “my cameraman stays here, too.”

“We’ll arrange for quarters for both of you,” Rucker said.

Kylie crossed her arms in front of her. “I really need to go back to my hotel room to bring back all the things I need—just so I have everything to make sure this story gets produced on time.”

Mac glanced at Josh. “Do you know what she needs?”

Josh nodded. “I can figure it out.”

Again, Kylie glared at Mac.

“Josh will go with the Delta team to retrieve the things you need from your hotel room and bring them back.”

“Let’s do it, then,” Rucker said. “The sooner we get there, the less time we give Ahktar to figure out who your friend is and where she’s been staying.”

“She’s not my friend,” Mac said.

“Friend, girlfriend, whatever,” Rucker said.

Mac’s lips pressed together. “She’s neither of those.”

“Whatever,” Rucker said impatiently. “She’s your responsibility now.”

“I guess you’re right.” Mac gave Kylie a frustrated grin. “While you guys are out, I’ll make sure our guests are assigned adequate quarters.”

Josh started for the door with the rest of the team to gather their things from the hotel room.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Kylie groused.

Mac laughed. “Apparently, you do. And lucky me, I’ve been volun-told I’m it. Like it or not, you’re stuck with me.”

As Josh and the team left the conference room, Kylie called out, “You might want to leave your equipment with me.”

“Oh, yeah.” Josh handed her the camera.

Kylie