Page 31 of Durango

“If the tabloid doesn’t bite, I’m not sure. But I’ll keep thinking about it. In the meantime, we should do something fun tonight. Want to go to a club and pick up some men?”

I groan. “Sorry, no. But I’m up for a movie.”

“Let’s table the discussion for now. I have to say, I really didn’t think the investigation and video retrieval would go quite so fast.”

I laugh. “It does feel a bit anticlimactic, doesn’t it?”

CHAPTER 11

Durango

I learned againwhy I like working with Harding. Apparently, her superior wanted us to meet all day to come up with our plan to extract Damien, the HVT. Harding said we wouldn’t be spending a day chatting about our plans but would instead figure it out on the flight over to Belarus. And that’s what we are doing now.

Damien is the high-value target, and he’s being held by some ruthless men who believe Damien has information they want. According to a source Harding won’t name, the target hasn’t been harmed yet. But it’s only a matter of time if he doesn’t talk.

We must get him out of there before he speaks. While I don’t know what he might say, Harding told us his knowledge is about weapons being sold from one party to another. That’s information someone will kill for if it’s the right weapons. Or spend a hell of a lot of money.

I was surprised when I arrived at the airport this morning and spotted Rover. He works in Seattle at Morgan Thompson Security. It’s not unusual for us to all work together since myboss, Stormy Thompson, owns part of RHS and MTS. What is unusual is we are starting out in New York, so if Harding wanted a third person, I figured she would have asked for someone from our office. I know for a fact that Axel is available.

“Each of you was chosen for this assignment because of your skills,” Harding says. “Durango is fluent in Russian.”

Rover turns to me. “You are? How do I not know this?”

I shrug. “Hasn’t come up.”

“And it’s imperative that no one outside of us learns of this. He’s going to be our ears when Damien thinks we can’t understand what he’s communicating.”

“Who would he be communicating with if we take him into custody?” Moose asks.

Harding stares at Moose. “You’re the new guy, right?”

Moose’s eyes narrow. “Yeah.”

“Welcome aboard. To answer your question, you’re right. He shouldn’t be communicating with anyone. But if things go sideways, we want to be prepared.” She turns to Rover. “Rover is here because of his ability to flirt.”

I arch a brow. “You’re kidding, right?”

Harding doesn’t crack a smile. “I don’t kid when I’m working.”

That is the truth. I glance at Rover and shake my head. “If they find any of us inside their compound, I think we’ll need more than someone who can flirt.”

“Hey!” Rover says. “I’ve got deadly flirting skills, so you can back the hell off.” He cracks a smile, and I chuckle.

“Rover won’t be inside the compound,” Harding says.

Rover frowns. “Who the hell do you want me to distract with my skills? And it better stop at flirting because if there is anything more, Connie will not only kick my ass but also yours.”

Harding holds her hand up. “I only need you to be your charming self. I’ll explain more later.” She turns her gaze back toMoose. “Moose, you are in excellent physical condition and are essential if we have to carry Damien out.”

“Hey!” I say.

“No offense, Durango. You are still recovering. But I need you to be listening, not running while carrying a man. And Rover won’t be inside the compound, as I’ve mentioned.”

As her words sink in, I try not to be offended. It’s true. If I’m supposed to be listening, I need to focus. Although if it is Damien I’m supposed to be listening to, I could still do it carrying him.

“When we arrive in Minsk, we will be meeting up with another CIA agent who is based there and a pilot she trusts. The pilot will fly us from Minsk to an area outside of the compound. A car will be waiting for us, and we will proceed from there. It’s going to be a long day and night. I suggest you grab a nap on this flight if you can. Do you have any questions?”

Moose had a lot of questions, so we listened as she detailed as much as she could to him. He’s not used to working with Harding the way we are. She does things her way and isn’t a fan of explaining why. Her way is usually right, and as far as she’s concerned, it doesn’t need explaining.

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