Page 36 of SEAL's Spitfire
“It’s not that much. Yet. I just hope Rafe doesn’t tan my hide when he gets back.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“Yes, but I can’t tell you.”
“I figured. I only asked because I was wondering just how far your reach went. I guess there’s not much that can be hidden from you.”
“You got that right. Anything else?”
“No. That’s it. Thank you again.”
“I’ll be in touch. Bye.”
“Holy crap, Meghan. I was praying he wouldn’t help.”
“It’ll be okay, Lizzie.”
“It better be.”
Meghan smiled at her sister. When she was younger, she’d hated being the oldest child. But when she grew up and eventually moved out on her own, it changed, and she actually missed being around them all the time.
“How do the kids like the mall?”
“Lia loves it, CJ not so much. But it’ll be fine. I don’t think bringing Mom is a good idea though. I’ll get one of the aides to come over.”
“Probably a good idea.”
Chapter 11
The team landed at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan just before sunrise. They were supposed to have all the intel on where the hostages were held, but they didn’t. Lynch’s people hadn’t gotten positive confirmation of their location or even which tribe had them. Captain Knox contacted Command and they were told to stand down. They were worried that if the team headed out without verification of where the HVT was they would end up causing her death. Apparently, the Senator and the President were close friends.
The base was bustling with early morning activity. Rafe was so keyed up there was no way he’d be able to get any shut-eye. What he wanted to do was talk to Meghan. He had a bad feeling that something was wrong, and it wasn’t going away. He needed to hear her voice, but he’d settle for a text message. But with a nine and a half hour time difference, it was after midnight back in Atlanta. Too late to call and he didn’t want to take a chance he’d wake her with a text message. The other option was Tex, but it was even later there, and Jake had told him to disengage. He couldn’t disobey a direct order.
That left only one thing, going for a run. He’d burn off the excess energy and maybe be able to rest finally. After dumping his pack in their temporary quarters, he grabbed a bottle of water.
“Where are you going?” Jake asked.
“For a run. I can’t sit here and do nothing.”
Jake nodded. “No problem. Don’t go too far in case they actually come up with some intel we can use.”
“Copy that.”
“Want company?” Ryan asked.
“Sure.”
“We won’t be long, Boss.”
“Catch you when you get back.”
They left the tent and headed for the outskirts of the base to run the perimeter of the airfield. Bagram was practically a second home to the team, having been there more times than they could count. Neither of the men spoke as they circled the airfield. The breeze picked up as the sun rose over the horizon. It was fall and the desert air was cool, but the dry air eventually forced them to stop and hydrate. They knew better than to get dehydrated.
“What’s got you so hot and bothered?” Ryan asked after taking a swig from his water bottle.
“This mission.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit. Crappy intel happens on almost every mission. It’s more the norm than not.”
