careful. The entire thing is fishy.”
Ajax nodded. “If there’s even the slightest chance our squad is alive, we have to get them the fuck out of there.”
“You don’t even have a clue who might have them,” Dad pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter.”
“And neither of you has any recollection about what you were doing the day of the explosion?” Dad looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Not a clue,” Ajax confirmed. “What I remember is that for the previous week, we had been trailing a militant group we were confident was preparing another attack on Tigray. I believe we were trying to intercept the details of that plan. That’s not a stretch. Our entire mission had involved intercepting information related to planned attacks on the citizens.”
Ryker nodded. “The question is why were we moving in on that particular location on that particular day? We may never have the answers, but I’m more interested in who in the US is behind this and why they would destroy eight SEALs.”
Frank nodded. “At this point, all that matters is saving lives. This is the most hushed mission I’ve ever heard of. A total coverup of the loss of eight SEALs? Just swept under the carpet? It’s been three months. The other six families would have inquired repeatedly about their missing brother, father, or son.”
Ajax ran a hand over his recently-cropped hair. “Unless, like you, they were told their SEAL was dead and they buried an empty box because there wasn’t anything left after the explosion.”
“I agree.” Ryker nodded.
Frank tipped his head toward the barn. “You two better spend most of the next two weeks getting yourselves back into shape. I don’t want you going into Ethiopia half-cocked with beer guts.”
Ajax smirked. “Yes, sir.”
Chapter 4
“There she is,” Ajax stated. His gaze homed in on Serena as she made her way down the terminal toward them. They’d beaten her to Dulles and were waiting near the gate.
She looked the same as he remembered. Her skirt was black today, and longer, past her knees. Black pumps. Deep maroon blouse. Black jacket. She moved on those heels like they were a part of her body. Impressive. Sexy. Professional. Totally inappropriate for a thirteen-hour flight to Ethiopia.
“What the fuck is she wearing?” Ryker murmured, obviously thinking the same thing as Ajax.
Ajax shook his head slowly. “This is going to be a disaster. No way am I going into a hot zone to find six of my brothers while babysitting a princess. I do not understand why Charley is sending this woman with us.”
She walked toward them, confident, tall, in complete control. And then she walked right by them. Didn’t even glance their direction. Not once.
Ryker chuckled low under his breath. “She didn’t recognize us. This is going to be so much fun.”
Ajax stroked his chin as he watched Serena continue toward the gate where she finally paused and glanced around casually. Her brow furrowed a moment later, and she tipped her head back to look at the gate number and departure time.
“Should we tell her?” Ryker asked.
“No. Let’s let her stew for a few minutes. I’m enjoying myself way too much.”
The man working at the desk made an announcement and the first tier of people began to board the plane.
Serena rubbed her temple, checked her watch, and stared down the hallway in the direction she’d come. Her gaze went right past Ajax and Ryker, but nothing registered.
“Damn, this is fun,” Ryker murmured. “I haven’t had this much fun in weeks. Years maybe.”
Ajax had to agree. Part of him felt bad for making her sweat. After all, it was slightly cruel. But on the other hand, he really truly hated this plan to the depths of his soul. Babysitting a civilian on enemy territory was not his idea of a good time.
The fact that the civilian was damn fine to look at only made things worse. She would be a distraction, and Ajax hated being distracted during a mission. Hell, he hadn’t ever permitted himself to get involved with a woman back home on the other side of the globe the entire time he’d served in the Navy.
Nope. Ajax had been married to the SEALs. He hadn’t had the time or the energy to devote to a woman. Plus, he never ever wanted to get into a situation where he made poor decisions because he had pussy on his mind.
After the second tier of passengers was announced, Serena began to fidget. The funny thing was there weren’t that many people