Page 83 of Russian Rescue

“Work with Delta?” Marcus asked. “Can they do that if it’s not sanctioned by the government?”

“Technically, no.” I frowned. “But hopefully, they’ll be up for a little off the books work.”

Knox grinned. “If Alpha and Delta join forces, there’s no stopping us. Those sick bastards are dead.”

Piper let out a sigh. “Thank you, guys. I know this is a lot to process and that you’ve got wives and kids and you’re retired now, but this means a lot to me.”

“Of course, we’ll help, Piper.” Marcus reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “We’re teammates for life, and if we know there is some injustice happening with kids somewhere or with anyone, there’s no way we’re turning our backs. That’s not the kind of people we are.”

“I know,” she answered. “And that’s why I trusted telling you, and why I’m so lucky to have you guys. All of you. God. I really miss working together.”

“Same,” Knox answered. “I mean, I love being retired and spending so much time with Lucia and Luca.” He paused and looked inside at his pregnant wife. “And soon our new one. But I wouldn’t mind getting out and stretching my skills every now and again.”

“Me too,” Marcus agreed. “It was fun doing our little reunions over the past few years, saving Irene and Lucia.” He looked at me and smirked. “And you, Pretty Boy.”

“Hey, I wasn’t a damsel in distress. I helped stop a Russian nuclear attack, man.”

“Kidding.” Marcus slapped me on the back. “But seriously. That was a lot of fun. And this will be a great op for us. We’ll save countless kids and women and get to kick some ass like we love. Kind of like an Elite Stealth Force Alpha working vacation.”

I snorted. “Only you guys would consider going into dangerous territory and getting into gunfights ‘vacation.’”

The three of them laughed.

“But,” I said as the idea started to percolate in my mind. “I miss it too. I miss being Overwatch. And we are really all too talented to just sit around getting fat on retirement.”

Knox tipped his head. “What you got in mind, Pretty Boy?”

I looked to Piper and shrugged. “What if we pool our funds from the money we stole off the cartel and create our own little organization, like a privatized Elite Stealth Force. This time, instead of the government calling the shots, we call them. We don’t have the government telling us who to kill or where to go. We aren’t just blindly taking orders. We take only the ops that we feel are worthy. Maybe just a few a year.”

The three of them passed a contemplative look between each other. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got about the idea.

Lucia came outside and slid up alongside Knox. “What are you guys talking about? Is this confidential?” she teased but then stopped when she saw the look pass between us. “Oops. Sorry. I’ll go back in.”

“No.” Knox stopped her with an arm around her waist. “This would affect you, so you should be part of the decision. And Irene too.”

Marcus nodded and called to Irene.

“Luca, will you watch the little ones?” Lucia said, gesturing to Luca to watch Marcus’s two children. He happily hurried over and dropped onto the floor to play with the toys.

“What’s up?” Irene asked as she came out.

“Pretty Boy here just posed an idea to us, and we wanted to run it past you two. It affects us all, so you need to be on board.”

“Okay?” Irene’s blue eyes narrowed as she looked at Marcus. “What’s up?”

“Well, to start with, Piper and I uncovered a human trafficking ring, and we’d like Marcus and Knox to help us stop it.”

“Yes,” Lucia said quickly, then turned to Knox. “I mean if you want to. But it’s a whole-hearted yes, you have my permission.”

He grinned and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. “I figured you’d be okay with it.”

“If it weren’t for people like you, I’d still be in hiding, and Luca would be with a psycho. If you can save even one child, one woman, then I think it’s an honorable thing, and you should do it. I want more than just Luca and our baby girl to be safe in this world, and I know you can do that.” She rubbed a hand across her swollen belly.

“My thoughts exactly,” Knox said, pressing his hand over hers.

“Irene?” Marcus asked. “What do you think? You cool if I disappear for a bit to go kill some sick fucks and free some people?”

She smiled and slid his hand into hers. “I’d be pissed if you didn’t.” She looked over to her children. “Every child deserves to be safe and loved. So yes, you have the skills to pull it off, and I think you should do it.”