Page 14 of Black Bay Defender
Because if any of them were seen, the government would know who was behind the operation and they’d be pointing their guns straight at Black Bay in retaliation.
Lark was packing a bag when she heard someone knock on her door before walking in. No one locked their doors here. If you were naked or getting busy, a knock was all you got before you had an audience, yet still, none of them bothered. One big happy, and sometimes nosy, family, but Lark liked it that way.
“He proposed!” Paige happily screamed, doing a little jig as she turned a circle in Lark’s living room.
Lark grinned. “That’s wonderful news.” She was so happy for the couple but especially for Jace – and maybe a little bit envious – because the Beasts might be one big happy family, and might never technically be alone, but many of them, including Lark, were lonely. They longed for companionship of a more intimate, and permanent nature, and Jace had found his person. It gave all of them hope that they might someday find the same.
An image of Grady came to mind and Lark let out a wistful sigh. She wanted Grady Carter to be her person but he couldn’t be – or rather, wouldn’t be – until he got his rage under control. Stubborn man. This mission, getting her hands on that doctor, had become the most important mission of her life.
Paige held out her hand to show off her finger with the engagement ring and as Lark admired it, her friend griped, “Of course, I knew he was going to propose before this since Grady had to stick his big nose in it, and demand answers.” Her face quickly returned to that dreamy expression. “But it was still so romantic, Lark. Jace still managed to surprise me.”
“I want to hear all the details.” She had time. They weren’t shipping out until after sunset to take advantage of the cover of darkness. If any eyes were watching Black Bay, they’d give them no reason to suspect or question what they were up to.
Paige’s eyes went to the couch that held Lark’s half-packed duffle bag, weapons, ammunition, and the tech she needed for the mission. Her face fell. “You’re going with them.”
“I am.”
Paige nodded, her eyes slightly unfocused like she was deep in thought. “I just left Grady. He told me he was going too.”
Lark remained silent and the other woman’s eyes cleared. “I’m glad you’ll be with him.” She turned a pleading look Lark’s way. “I’m glad he won’t be alone.”
Lark was about to point out that they were taking two teams, that none of them would be alone, when Paige said in a strained voice, “If something happens… I don’t want him to be alone.”
Shit. She’d already lost her brother once. The government had told the Carters that Grady was dead; had been killed in action overseas. They’d grieved, and mourned for him, only for Paige to discover it had all been a lie. The government had turned her brother into a weapon that no longer recognized her when he looked at her. It had been a blow… He’d only just regained his memories. Paige and her big brother had finally been reunited and now he was leaving again.
Taking Paige’s hand, she gripped the woman’s fingers. “I won’t let anything happen to him.”
Her return smile was tight and strained. “I know you won’t.”
“Now tell me all about this proposal. How’d Jace surprise you?”
Paige’s face immediately brightened, and shoving aside the things on the couch to make room, they sat.
“Do you remember when we went to the aquarium and I went gaga over the otters?”
Lark sure did. A bunch of them had gone together and when Paige had seen the otters, she’d fallen in love with the adorable little critters. She and Jace had ended up spending the rest of the day there while Lark and the others toured the exhibits.
“I don’t know how he managed it,” Paige exclaimed, clutching her hands over her heart. “But Jace somehow convinced the aquarium to let us spend an hour before they opened in the otter enclosure.” Her hazel eyes – eyes like her brother’s – welled with tears. Happy tears. She sniffled and swiped at her eyes. “Before we left, one of the otters brought me this little pouch, and inside was my ring and a note.” A wet chuckle. “God, Lark, it was so cute. It saidI am otterly in love with you. Will you marry me?”
Good job, Jace, Lark thought as emotion swelled in her chest for her friend. But she couldn’t resist teasing when she asked, “And Jace didn’t get jealous that this cheeky otter proposed right in front of him?”
Paige spluttered a surprised laugh and swiped again at her leaky eyes. “I need to get back to him before you all ship out, but I couldn’t wait to share the news.”
“He should beg off. Under the circumstances, the General will understand. We’ll assign someone else. The two of you should be celebrating.”
Paige shook her head as she stood. “Jace takes promises seriously, and he promised to get those soldiers out. Even though Grady isn’t with them anymore, he still feels like he needs to be there. He needs to do this and I respect that. Plus, we’ll have the rest of our lives to celebrate our love. Those soldiers need him – need Black Bay – now.”
Damn, Paige was one hell of a good woman. Always willing to put other’s needs above her own. Jace had chosen well. That same core of goodness ran through Grady too, so it looked like both Lark and Jace had great taste.
With hope filling her heart, Lark congratulated Paige and bid her goodbye before turning back to her packing. Maybe someday soon, she’d be doing her own happy dance as she told Paige an engagement story. She’d like something big and splashy. She’d once seen a proposal on TV where the guy had popped the question on one of those jumbotrons at a sporting event, publicly declaring his love. Lark had thought it was so romantic. While she didn’t necessarily want to be on television where millions might see her, she’d like something big like that. If it ever happened.
An image of Grady lingered in her mind and she sighed. Talk about putting the cart before the horse. They weren’t even dating. If Lark got her way, though, they would be. Soon. But first, they needed to get their hands on that neurologist and bring those soldiers home.
Chapter Eight
Gradyhadknownasecond exit had to exist on Black Bay. It turned out it was a wet exit. Since this was an unsanctioned op, the two teams took submersibles up the coast to avoid having too much traffic at the tunnel that might have the eyes in the sky looking a bit too closely. From there, the General had arranged for one of his old service buddies, a pilot, to fly them to a private airstrip outside of Cincinnati.
At that point, the two teams would split. A four-man team of Beasts built for stealth, that included his sister’s fiancé, would head to the neurologist’s home and take him into custody. While that was happening, Grady’s team would surround the converted warehouse that held the Resurrection soldiers and monitor the situation. Once they had confirmation Doctor Blackmore was in custody without having sounded any alarms, they’d move in. They had the tech to disable any exterior cameras and the four of them would move in unison to take out the armed patrol before Grady moved in to breach the security on the main door and get access to the building.
