Page 4 of Extraction

“Yeah.” The man jumped back when I came in the room. “Sorry, and this isn’t my first time,” his hand landed on his chest. “Guess it doesn’t matter that I’m still a little rattled.” His eyes closed as he rubbed his shoulder and winced. “My body sure ain’t what it once was.”

“My apologies. I should’ve known better.” I tried to put him at ease as I mentally kicked myself for not remembering how to behave around a house guest. “It’s been a while since,” I stumbled, “since I’ve been on house duty.” This was a safe house, after all, and most of our ‘guests’ had been through a lot by the time they were brought here. I gave him an apologetic smile and stayed a little back from him.

Abby gave me a warm smile and squeezed my arm. “You were missed, and boy, it’s great to have you home,” she whispered as she gave me a hug. She turned back to look at the man who had already seen too much. “Benjamin Bale, this is Paul. He’s special ops and one of the men who helped you out in the field.” She moved toward the door. “Benjamin, whatever you need, just let me or anyone know, and we’ll be happy to help.”

“Wi-Fi?” he asked with a weak smile.

“Anything but that.” Abby chuckled. “NDA, remember.”

“You mean the encyclopedia I had to read and sign when we stopped over in Texas? The one that had the world’s biggest consequence if you breach the contact? Yeah,” he tried another smile, “I remember. I’m fine. I just needed that shower, and thanks to you, these clean clothes. I could do with a hot meal.” He looked hopeful.

“That, I can help you with. There’s food on, and when you’re ready, I can bring it up here, or you can eat downstairs with the others.”

He didn’t miss a beat. “With people. I can’t take the silence anymore.”

I folded my arms and grinned at him. “Silence sure isn’t something you’ll find in this house.”

“Certainly not.” Abby laughed and rolled her eyes. “All right, then, I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready.”

“Thank you.” Benjamin sat on the wooden chest at the end of the bed and rubbed his eyes. I knew from his posture his body hurt. He’d refused treatment on his shoulder, which I respected, and I knew his head would be scrambling to catch up. The last twelve hours would have been a whirlwind. “Mr. Paul?”

“Just Paul.”

“No first name, or is that your last?”

“Just Paul,” I repeated then felt like an ass for my sharp tone. “It’s complicated.” I felt I needed to explain a bit. “I had sort of a family once, but the people in this house are all the family I need now, and here there’s no need to have any name other than Paul.” I felt the lump that came when I thought of my biological family and my shitty father. I’d never really had anyone who loved me, not like here. Then Talya’s gorgeous face popped up, and I slammed that door closed so fast I swore I felt a breeze.

“Understood.” He let it go. “Ah,” he tilted his head, “any word on Nicole?”

“Nicole?”

“Nicole Winter. She’s the war correspondent I was working with over there.”

I mentally flipped through his file and couldn’t recall that name. “I thought you were working with Kimberly Ann?”

He jammed the pad of his thumb into his eye and shook his head. “Kim was a mess. One explosion, and she was out. I’ve worked with Nicole on and off for years. The woman chews through cameramen like Skittles.” He gave a huff. “Anyway, after Kimberly left, I ran into Nicole, and I worked with her until we were separated, and I was taken. I’d hoped you guys got her out too.”

“Sorry, man. Her name’s not been mentioned, at least not to me.”

“No worries. Knowing her, she’s sittin’ in some Cartel’s back yard sipping tequila.” He chuckled while my brows pinched together. That was an odd comment to make. He must have caught my confusion and closed his eyes with a head shake. “Ah, of course, most likely her reputation isn’t known here. They keep her pretty quiet.” He stood. “Let me get my head on straight, and I’ll fill you in.”

I wanted to push, but I remembered my house training and didn’t ask anything else. “I’m glad you’re all right, Benjamin.”

“Ben, please,” he looked around, “and thank you. I promise I’ll be better tomorrow.”

“You’ve been through a lot. Give yourself some grace.” I nodded and checked the time; it was time to gather my team in the conference room. “See you down there when you’re ready.

The families only had a few more moments together, so I hurried downstairs to round up my team. They jumped up from the table and carried their dishes to the kitchen. I continued to the conference room. Daniel and Frank were already there. They were looking around at the new command center I had finished building six months ago.

Frank grinned as I stepped inside. “Impressive. I know I saw it when it was first finished, but now after seeing it live…” He pursed his lips and whistled. “I mean, what you were able to pull off this last mission was truly remarkable.”

“I don’t have to tell you the enemy is better, smarter, and stronger than only a year ago. We need to match that and be ten steps ahead.”

“Agreed.” Daniel added, “The protection you offered the teams was invaluable. If we hadn’t known that wall of Cartel was almost on us, I don’t think the teams would be here at all. They made it home and in one piece, because of you.”

I didn’t like the attention, so I changed topics. “Does the name Nicole Winter mean anything to you guys?”

Frank set down the controller he was admiring and threw a quick glance at Daniel. “Why do you ask?”

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