Page 29 of Russian Rescue

He darted in and out of traffic while I prepared my next assault. Just like the time before, I did my calculations and prepared my timing to take out the last vehicle on our tail while making sure I didn’t harm any innocent civilians in the blast.

“We have to hurry, or more guys or cops will show up. So, just like last time. I say ‘go,’ and you go.”

“Ready.”

When the SUV was away from other traffic, I shouted “go” again and dropped my grenade. Just like last time, the perfect timing set it just underneath the SUV when it went off. Another blast behind us shook the windows, but Wes maneuvered us safely away from the exploding vehicle.

“Okay, hurry up and take the next exit off this loop. We’ll disappear out of town, snatch another car, and get to the cabin.”

“You got it.”

Wes veered off the loop and onto a highway leading out of town. After fifteen minutes of driving, we found a restaurant with a parking lot filled with cars. We ditched the sports car I knew the cops and the Russians would be searching for, and I hotwired a grey sedan that looked dated enough it wouldn’t have a tracking system inside of it. We tossed my gear in the backseat and took off... this time with me at the wheel after much arguing.

“I was good. Admit it.” Wes kicked his feet up onto the dashboard.

I pulled out of the parking lot. “You did okay.”

He gaped open his mouth. “Okay? Just okay? I was like a real-life GTA driver there. I handled that car like a pro. You just don’t want to admit that I have some serious driving skills.”

Pursing my lips, I shrugged. “Maybe, but with my skills, I could have lost them.”

He scoffed. “Liar. I was James fucking Bond, and you know it.”

A little laughter escaped my lips. I’d missed working with Wes and the way he made me laugh so naturally. There wasn’t much in my life I’d laughed about before he came into it, but once he joined the team, he could get me going to where my stomach hurt, and I gasped for breath. I couldn’t remember a time in my dark, painful past before him that I’d ever laughed so hard.

He turned on the radio and found a decent station. “Do you know where you’re going, or do I need to map it?”

“I know where I’m going. I’ve stayed there a couple times on ops. I crashed there after that one here like, five, maybe six years ago where I had to dress up like a dominatrix and infiltrate that sex club to take out that dude? Remember that one?”

Wes blew out a breath. “Oh, yeah. I remember. I was on your bodycam, and I got to see you in the mirror looking all latex-clad sex worker hot. I still think of that visual when I, you know.”

He waggled his eyebrows, and I leaned over and smacked him. “Eew. Don’t.”

“Well, I could always imagine that time in Monaco when you wore that gold dress with the neckline down to your belly button.” He bit his fist. “Damn, girl. You practically broke necks that night just from how guys snapped their heads to look at you.”

“I did break a neck that night.” I smirked, remembering how I’d used the douche bag’s own tie to do the deed.

Wes laughed, and I joined him again.

We talked and laughed the hour-long drive to the cabin. When we got there, it was dark, so I did a perimeter sweep with my heat vision to make sure we were alone.

“All good?” Wes asked impatiently. “I seriously need to piss.”

“All good.” I stuck the monocle back in my bag. “Let’s go.”

Wes hopped out of the car and trotted over to the tree line around the modest cabin. He leaned back his head as he sighed.

“You know, there is a bathroom in the cabin.”

“This was closer. And guys like to piss outside. It’s a territory marking thing.”

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my bag. It was a thing. I’d been on enough ops with Marcus and Knox to know that they thoroughly enjoyed pissing like animals outside any chance they got. I lacked the equipment to make it as easy, so I preferred toilets when I could find them.

Wes zipped up his pants, and I tried not to think about the sizeable appendage I’d seen the outline of several times now. I cleared my throat and dragged my gaze to the cabin. “Follow me.”

We got inside, and I flicked on the light. The cabin was exactly how I’d remembered it. All rustic wood décor and vintage photos on the wall. I walked over to the picture of Oleg holding up a fish he’d caught at the lake just outside.

“This place is awesome.” Wes walked around the room. “Seriously authentic deep woods cabin vibe. He’s even got animals on the wall.”