the micro instruments from the men below. It also meant Gunner couldn’t locate them from his location outside.
“I don’t have a line of sight on Raider’s equipment.” Gunner opened the channel to the clubhouse. “Raider. Come in.”
“Got you, Gunner.”
“Do you still show all monitors operating?”
“Affirmative. What do you have?”
“At least a dozen Disciples in residence, including local officers and Einstein.”
Seconds passed before Raider answered. “Confirmed, Gunner. I show four men outside.”
“Are you able to pick up their conversation?”
“Hold on.”
Gunner could picture Raider changing to his new, cutting edge, noise suppression earphones. They picked up sounds the human ear might not register.
“Bingo. I’ve got them, Gunner. I can’t make out who is talking, but they’re discussing a run tomorrow night. Hold on.” A couple minutes passed before Raider spoke again. “Wrath is on the comms with us.”
“Gunner. Is Chaos with you?”
“I’m here, Wrath.”
“All right, Raider. Explain what you’ve learned.”
“The four are talking about a run tomorrow night. They’ll meet up with two vans filled with merchandise,” Raider said. “From what they’re saying, I doubt the cargo is drugs. My guess is there will be women, children, or both. The Disciples will take over the transport to the Mexican border.”
“Did you learn the location of where they’ll meet the transport?” Wrath asked.
“They haven’t given a location or time. Eight of the Disciples will be going.”
“Gunner and Chaos. Continue surveillance until before dawn, then return to the clubhouse. I won’t be sending men to watch during the day. Raider, continue monitoring the cameras and mics, but alternate with Petty Officer Lane. Wrangler can help out.”
Wrath ended the communication, the other three settling in to comply with his orders. While Gunner’s focus was on the clubhouse, his thoughts went to Katrina.
His feelings for her grew more each day, his desire to spend time with her almost overpowering. Gunner knew the danger in desiring a woman. He’d given his heart to another woman, only to have her toss it back with little remorse.
Lieutenant Commander Sage Montero had captured his interest from the first time she’d swooped in with her helicopter to transport his team out of harm’s way years before. Their relationship progressed slow and steady. While he’d always known Sage’s desire for command could pull them apart, Gunner hadn’t been prepared for her transfer to the east coast. More, her cheerful goodbye had cut through him. He never wanted to feel that type of pain again.
Something about Katrina Snowden warned him getting involved with her would be another disaster. Gunner had no intention of repeating the mistakes from his past.
To his disgust, he enjoyed her company too much to turn his back on the tentative friendship they’d established. Plus, Wrath had talked to him about overseeing the nursery operation if they did strike a deal with Janie Maas.
The older woman might be determined to sell the nursery and move on, but she wasn’t going to give it away. She and Wrath had been negotiating for weeks, each discussion moving them a little closer to finalizing a deal.
They owned Robbie’s Bar, Hawthorn's Steak House, a motorcycle repair and customization shop, an auto repair shop, several storage businesses, and a strip mall at the edge of town. Any profits, which had proven to be substantial, were split between a fund for fallen team members and their families, and to assist with hazard pay associated with their undercover work.
Their cover included getting involved in the community, owning property, and volunteering for various fundraisers. Each year, the Brethren took part in at least a half dozen events which included their labor and financial sponsorship.
Maas Nursery night not be their usual business, but it was a cash cow Wrath couldn’t ignore. Growing up on a farm, Gunner would be the ideal person to oversee the operations, with Katrina becoming the manager. The problem would be keeping his distance from Katrina.
Finishing with her last customer, Katrina huddled before the computer, making slight changes to Gunner’s landscape. He’d swapped her car for his truck, saying a few words about what work had been done before leaving. She hadn’t heard another word from him.
Ignoring the slight pain not hearing from him caused, she shut down the computer and grabbed her purse. Brady would be riding his bicycle home from his after-school job.
She couldn’t wait for her mother to get home. Teri had called the rancher, scheduling an interview for that afternoon. Managing the office wouldn’t be as physically demanding as her work in the salon.
Waving to Janie, she headed to her car,