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“Fine,” Caleb spat, the word bitter on his tongue. “His name is James Walker. We served together back in the military. After you left him vulnerable and unprotected.”
The name echoed throughout the room, sending shivers down the spines of those present. A former military brother, now an enemy. It was the worst kind of betrayal.
“Corporal Walker? He was my clerk.”
“I’m surprised you remember him. He doubted you would. He said you left, and the unit tanked after you weren’t there tokeep them together. He remembered you and your deception. You said you’d keep the unit cohesive and operational after the previous commander left. Then you left. He never forgave you for leaving the unit, either. Said you abandoned them all when they needed you most. Just like you did to me when I was on the run from the Feds.”
“You broke the law on so many levels, ethically, morally and legally,” said Levi.
Caleb stood and turned to Levi. “You had better watch your leader here. He bails when the going gets tough. Sorry, I didn’t have enough time to visit with your girl. She is a looker and tough. I like tough.”
Levi took a step forward. Mark grabbed his arm. “Not worth it, man.”
Caleb nodded. “He’s right, you know. I’m not worth it.” He turned back to Jac. “When Walker approached me while I was on the run after you threw me out of the hangar to be pursued by the hounds of hell, I said you abandoned me when I needed you most.” Caleb’s eyes burned with anger as he continued. “So, we planned to bring you and your precious team down. He had already orchestrated the notes before we hooked up. We orchestrated the kidnapping, and that anonymous note in the stroller was just the beginning.”
Jac cut him off, his expression darkening as he processed the new information. “No one expects a command to stay indefinitely. That isn’t how the military works, man. You know that.”
Levi watched as a mixture of betrayal and anger coursed through him, but he kept his emotions in check, focusing instead on the task at hand. Levi saw the expressions race across the face of his boss and friend. The pure agony that his own men had done this to him cut deep. Jac was an honorable man and led his troops well, if the stories were right, so knowing how heconnected with those he cared for had to make this an almost mortal blow.
“We’ll deal with Walker, and you’ll face the consequences of your actions.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed, his hesitation now replaced by a cold resignation. He knew he had sealed his own fate, but it was clear that he still harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Jac.
“Good luck with that,” he sneered. “You might have won this round, but there’s no telling what Walker has planned next. And trust me, he won’t go down without a fight. You helped me help him by spending so much time with me. He slipped out when you entered. There is an underground tunnel.”
As Caleb’s words hung heavy in the air, the men felt a renewed sense of urgency. The danger to the team, their families, was far from over. But as Cash looked at the faces of those around him, each one steadfast and unwavering in their loyalty, he knew they would face whatever challenges lay ahead together.
Carter walked back into the room. “We left Kaden in the SUV. He might have seen our second man leave the building. Or at least disappear. He’s long gone now.”
“Let’s move out,” Jac ordered, his voice steady and commanded. “We’ve got work to do. Kaden, send up your drone. Two of you, find and follow the tunnel.”
“Who would’ve thought?” Mark muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. “Our own comrade-in-arms, betraying us like this.”
“Let’s just focus on finding him,” Carter said quietly, “and end this,” he said as he lightly placed a supportive hand on his teammate’s shoulder as they emerged from the end of the long tunnel, empty-handed.
“Jac, I’ve got a hit on Walker’s location,” Kaden said, his eyes glued to the drone’s feed. “He’s holed up in an old bunker about two miles east of here.”
“So, he didn’t double back to the warehouse. I wonder if he’s gotten wind of us on his ass,” said Jac. “Seems odd that Caleb didn’t realize that Walker set him up to take the fall.”
“Wouldn’t matter if he did,” said Levi, “It’s about to finish.”
Kaden nodded. “See, his heat signature isn’t moving. I wonder if he’s holed up waiting for a buddy?”
“Or waiting for us,” said Callie. “He has to know he doesn’t stand a chance with all of us and just one of him.”
Garrett rubbed his neck. “You can do a lot of things to even the playing field, but not sure he has that ability right now.”
“I’ll take Mark,” said Monroe, “and we will do more recon to make sure it isn’t a trap.”
“Good.” Jac’s jaw clenched, his resolve steeling further. He looked around at his team, every face filled with determination. “This ends tonight. We bring Walker in and dismantle whatever he’s been building. We do this together, as a team, and we make sure our families are safe.”
“Agreed,” Cash added, his dark eyes glinting with barely contained fury.
“Let’s do this,” Callie said, her voice resolute and unwavering.
“Callie, stick with Garrett,” said Jac. “You are a great team member and I need us to be on our A game. But you are also Garrett’s other half, so don’t make any heroic moves.”
“I’ll be cautious.”
