Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,139
of the same people affiliated with Mandrake. They’re upper level government.”
“He’s the Secretary of Defense,” Ellie said. “Higher than him?”
“No, but very connected. Committees. Influence.” Vi shrugged. “Bob’s got to dig himself out of that. We were hired to do a job and we did it. We’ve turned over what intel we’ve gathered about Mandrake’s involvement. It’ll be up to Bob what he does with that, if anything.”
“It’s a political cat and mouse game. We aren’t the cat or the mouse,” Mary said.
“As long as we aren’t the cheese, I’m good with that,” Bree said. “Okay, I have to go pack.”
“Tomorrow afternoon,” Bree said. “I’m just a really slow packer.”
Addy stood and waited as everyone hugged Bree. Plans were made for a happy hour later in the evening. She made a mental note to attend. By the time everyone filed out, tears shimmered in Bree’s eyes.
Addy touched her friend’s face and smiled. “I’m proud of you.”
“You are?”
“It’s not easy staring your problems down and taking them out.”
“I saw Mary and Vi and Kamren and Ellie and Jesse and Zoey do it.” Determination settled in Bree’s voice. “I can too.”
“Damn straight. Are you going to tell us where you’re going?”
“To visit family,” Bree hedged.
“Thinking you know we’ll want more,” Addy said.
“I’ll send it to you and Mary, just in case.” Bree smiled. “You’d better go track Kristof down. I bet he’s missing you by now.”
Addy laughed. Yeah, she was definitely going to miss Bree.
Kristof entered the recreation room and scanned its inhabitants. Olaf was with Doctor Sinclair. Where was Addy? A group clustered on two sofas and several chairs spread out in front of a massive television toward the back of the room. Loud catcalls and cheers sounded from the group as one of their makeshift teams won whatever video game they were playing.
Two pool tables filled the area to the left. A cue striking a break echoed from the area. Kristof chuckled when he noted the players. He approached. Time to make nice with Addy’s team. If he wanted his stay at The Arsenal to last, he needed to have their approval because they were the most important people in her life—aside from him (he hoped).
Beast struck the cue ball and stood up. Curiosity glinted within his dark eyes as he offered a chin lift. “Lavrov.”
“Beast.” He looked around at the rest of Addy’s team. Johnny sat in the corner behind the table. Shep and Thunder stood beside Beast. Both leaned toward their sticks. Cracker was on his cell in the corner.
Riley and a dark-haired, muscular man stood on the opposite side of the table. Tattoos covered the man’s arms. He scowled at the blonde as she rounded the pool table.
“Kristof.” She smiled. “You’re just in time. Shep and I need a third. Johnny and Cracker can’t play worth a damn. Wait.” Her bright blue gaze narrowed. “Can you play?”
He shrugged. “I can handle my own.”
The stranger grunted. “Sounds vague. I’m Dominic, but everyone calls me Dom. My brother, Raul, mentioned you were Addy’s dude.”
Amusement rolled within him. “Guess you could say that.”
Beast grunted and glared at Riley. “Are we doing this or not?”
Riley shoved a cue stick at him. “You’d better hold your own. The stakes are high.”
“You aren’t getting my ride for the weekend,” Dom growled.
“If I win, she’s mine for the weekend.” Riley rolled her eyes. “He’s so possessive.”
“Woman, you’ve got damn near twenty rides you can use on the compound. Mine isn’t an option.”
“Please. You know damn well I can’t roll into Marville under the radar in an Arsenal truck. Those big, black vehicles send everyone in the area scattering like cockroaches when the lights are turned on.” She leaned over the table and shot. “We’ve got a case that can’t wait.”
Dom’s gaze narrowed. “Your brothers know about this case?”
“My work isn’t their business unless I think they’re needed.” She glanced up. “That’s not ever happening. Jud’s got my back.”
So this was the spitfire Mason, the youngest and only sister of Addy’s bosses. Interesting. He’d likely have her back soon as well. The fact she’d welcomed him so openly even though they’d never formally met or spoken was a good sign.
“I’ve heard Kristof here might be having your back, too,” Shep said. “You okay with that?”
“Jud said he’s cool. Who am I to argue with my mentor?” The second ball went in. The third missed. “It’s not like it matters. We’ve got my brothers and all you real