Hot SEAL, Confirmed Bachelor- Cynthia D'Alba Page 0,67
Popov’s compound were dispatched in an exchange of bullets. As Bravo team penetrated the building, all team members entered uninjured. Benjamin was determined they left the same way.
Bravo team split up, clearing rooms as they made their way through the building. In a rear bedroom, Ringer and Pretty Boy found Popov hiding inside an underground hidey hole accessed via a lift door in the floor of a closet.
“Package secured,” Ringer radioed to the rest of the team.
“Cover package and head for EXFIL,” Benjamin radioed back.
“Copy that,” Ringer said.
The team converged at the building exit, but was met with heavy resistance from North Korean soldiers who’d circled back to the compound.
“We have to get this guy back alive,” Benjamin said. “We need to know what he knows and how far along he’s gotten in his bomb development.”
The Russian spat hostile words in his direction.
Benjamin laughed. “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” He looked at his team. “Where’s the vest for him? He’s going to need it between here and the boat. North Korea is not going to let him leave here alive if they help it.”
Pretty Boy shook his head. “He refused to put it on.”
“Fuck what he wants,” Benjamin said. “Cut his ties and put one on him now.”
Once Benjamin was satisfied they had their guy protected, he radioed Cowboy in the tower position.
“Headed out. Need some cover.”
“Got it,” Cowboy said and laid down suppression fire into the area beyond the compound.
Rooster took the lead out the door, spraying gunfire ahead of them. The rest of the team followed with Ringer and Pretty Boy dragging their hostage along. Benjamin came out last, covering his team from a rear assault.
Their progress to the beach EXFIL would’ve progressed quicker if they’d had a willing package, but Popov dragged his feet and delayed them in any fashion he could think of. Pretty Boy had all he could take of the Russian before he cold-cocked him with the butt of his rifle and slung the man over his shoulder.
“Should have fucking done that ten minutes ago,” Ringer complained.
“Keep moving, men,” Benjamin hollered into his radio. “Enemy combatants closing fast. Cowboy. You on the way?”
“On the way,” Cowboy radioed back. “You have ten men to your left and a contingent of six to your right. Copy?”
“Copy that. Sixteen total. Apple Landing. You copy?”
Apple Landing was the codename given to their command for this current op.
“Apple Landing copies. How far from EXFIL?”
“Two minutes,” Benjamin radioed. “We’ll be coming in hot.”
“Roger, Bravo One. We’ll be ready to receive.”
“Bravo Five coming up on your right,” Cowboy radioed.
“Copy.”
Benjamin laid down a barrage of gunfire to his left as Cowboy took care of the soldiers to the right
The gunfire had slowed when the team hit the beach where Banger waited with their rigid hull inflatable boat.
Behind them, Benjamin heard the engine of a fast-approaching truck.
“Load up,” he ordered. “More soldiers coming. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Pretty Boy tossed Popov into the boat and scrambled in behind him, followed by Ringer. Rooster and Cowboy turned their weapons toward the sound of the approaching vehicle as they launched themselves onto the floor of their watercraft. Last to leave the beach would be Benjamin, as they’d planned.
A truck with a machinegun mounted on the rear roared onto the beach. Benjamin turned and fired, taking out the driver with a windshield shot. Without anyone controlling the truck, it’s forward progress halted when the front bumper collided with a tree.
With a last burst of bullets at the two soldiers in the truck’s rear, Benjamin turned and raced for the water’s edge. Knife-hot pain shot through his left thigh. Another through his right. He stumbled forward as a third bullet penetrated his vest into his back. A fourth shot grazed his neck and he fell face-first into the sand.
This was it. He’d pushed his luck on these missions one too many times.
Chapter Thirteen
Holly was cleaning up the breakfast dishes and wondering if October the fifteenth was too early to buy Halloween candy when her doorbell rang.
“I’ve got it,” Katie called, racing to the living room.
Holly smiled to herself. The difference in her daughter in the last month had been surprising. Katie took more responsibility for her school work. She helped Holly around the house, sometimes with a little prodding. Katie had witnessed Holly’s grief after the wedding. Holly hadn’t told her daughter much more than Ben was gone and she didn’t expect to see him again.
Seth had been to their house for