Dominant Deception [Black Ops Brotherhood 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) (46 page)

The leader howled and screamed hysterically. Jack surveyed the carnage before him.
Son of a bitch.
How would he explain this one? Jack was soaked in sweat and felt adrenaline coursing through his body. He had to breathe and control his heartbeat.

Jack cautiously walked to the man on his knees beside the Jeep who was whining desperately. What he needed was information.
Who the hell sent him and his band of merry men?

“¿Quién te ha enviado?” Jack asked.

“¡Ayúdeme!” the man whimpered.

“Who sent you?” Jack repeated in English. “I’ll help you when you tell me what I want to know. Who sent you?”

“I can’t tell you,” the man said in broken English.

Jack cocked the pistol he was carrying and pointed the weapon right between the eyes of the man.

“Don’t fuck with me! I’m not a cop so I don’t play by the same rules. Tell me what I want to know or I’ll let the
real
fucking coyotes eat you alive,” Jack snarled

“Por favor! ¡Ayúdeme!” the man screamed.

Jack heard a voice and looked up to see where it was coming from. It sounded like the dropped satellite radio. He walked to the vehicle and retrieved the device.

“Jack, drop your weapon,” the voice on the radio said.

Jack’s blood seemed to drain from his body.

“Please, Jack, drop your weapon,” Anna said again.

Jack turned slowly around and looked into the darkness. He could see a shadow approach. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he was able to make out the shape of a few shadows. Jack’s eyes widened as the shadows took form.

“You heard your wife. Drop it, Rock,” Rafe said.

Unknown Location

December 6, 2008/0418 Zulu

Jack closed his eyes and let the rest of his senses do the work. His shoulder that had been bounced around on the hour drive was aching. He was covered with a hood so there was no way to see anyway. He felt the cuffs that had him restrained at his wrists. They were standard law-enforcement issue. He could manage those off with a little time. His ankles weren’t restrained with metal. It was more subtle, some kind of rope. The chair he was confined to was metal. He inhaled. It was an industrial complex or in an industrial area because he could smell diesel fuel and hear large engines running. He could also smell oil and chemicals.

Jack could hear someone approach and relaxed somewhat as he listened. He heard a click and felt someone brush past. The click he heard wasn’t a weapon. It was a more subtle click. He opened his eyes and saw bright light filter through the material of the black hood. He closed his eyes again. His hood was about to come off and he would be blinded by the sudden bright light if he kept his eyes open.

“Take it off,” Jack heard Rafe say.

The hood was yanked from Jack’s head and he slowly opened his eyes, allowing himself time to adjust to the bright light. Before he could, he experienced a sharp blow to his solar plexus knocking the air from him. He fought for air and before he could catch his breath the attacker landed a blow to his left rib cage. He was thankful he didn’t feel his ribs crack. He composed himself and looked at Rafe, who was staring at him nose to nose.

“Hello, Rock. Surprised to see me? Anna was,” Rafe said.

Jack said nothing as he focused his eyes directly ahead.

“Come on, Rock. I know the drill. I went through SERE, too. This isn’t an interrogation. Just a friendly chat between dive buddies,” Rafe said.

Jack remained silent.

“Anna and I have been having a nice little chat. We’ve even come to an understanding, and she wants to see you. So she can say good-bye,” Rafe said.

“Leave her alone, Rafe. She doesn’t know anything anymore,” Jack said.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Rock. Anna is the secret to life. Didn’t you feel it? When you were
fucking
her,” Rafe snarled.

“She doesn’t know anything. It’s me you want. Let her go,” Jack said.

“No, Rock. Anna knows everything. You’re right about one thing. I do want you because you took
everything
from me.”

Jack resumed his stare at the wall. He’d been expecting this for some time. What he didn’t expect was for Anna to be in the middle of danger, again. Rafe walked behind him and landed a blow to his kidneys. He let his mind go blank. He couldn’t concentrate on the pain he was experiencing. He had to focus on surviving long enough to get out and direct the teams who had been watching Rafe since JJ discovered he was still alive. If Cobra and Mac had gotten their shit together, the teams should’ve been able to track him and already be getting into position. He hoped the snipers had found places to line up their shots and take Rafe down once and for all. He regained his breathing and opened his eyes, focusing on the wall.

“You took my promotion,” Rafe said as he landed a blow to Jack’s ribs. “You took my command.” he punched Jack in the kidneys once more. “You took my woman,” Rafe said, punching Jack again. “I told you I saw her first.”

“You’re out of your fucking mind, Rafe.”

“Maybe,” Rafe said in Jack’s ear. “But I’m a rich crazy bastard. By the way, I was Badass’s shooter. Too bad I was out of practice. He’s been a real pain in the ass,” he taunted. “Bring her in, Doc.”

“Badass is still fucking things up,” Alex said as he passed Jack.

Jack centered himself and remained expressionless. Alex had been the mole that was pivotal in bringing Rafe out of the shadows. Alex, Jack, and JJ had all been working to get Rafe to finally show his hand. Right now Alex was in just as much peril as Jack. If Rafe figured out before they were able to stop him that Alex had been playing double agent, Rafe would kill him without hesitation. Jack separated the pain in his body from his concentration on the cuffs he was working. Unfortunately, Rafe knew all the tricks. Most people would give a little wiggle room. There was no room. Whoever had cuffed him had put the cuffs over the sleeve of his shirt. Jack had been trying to work the material out from the metal. He might’ve enough room to escape. Anna walked into the room and Jack saw her worried expression so he subtly shook his head. She understood the gesture and didn’t let concern for Jack show any longer. Even though she didn’t know what was really happening here, she knew Jack and always understood so much without having to be told. Her face went impassive.

“Anna, I’m killing Jack because he’s been a pain in my ass for years. You have a choice. You can die with him or you can come with me. What do you want to do?” Rafe asked.

Anna looked from Jack to Rafe as if considering her options. Jack watched the smart calculating
chess
player come out. Anna was about to make a move no one would ever forget. She smiled sweetly and walked to Rafe. She crooked her finger and motioned for him to come closer. Rafe bent to her and Anna locked her mouth onto his. She kissed him and Jack could see Rafe melt under her spellbinding kiss.
The girl can kiss
. Jack watched as Anna ran her hand over Rafe’s chest and over his hips. She broke momentarily and looked at Jack.

“Sorry, Jack, I’m not doing the dying gig anytime soon,” Anna said.

That statement suddenly concerned Jack because she’d signaled to him she would put herself in between Rafe and Jack. Rafe smiled and put his arm around Anna, pulling her close. Jack looked away.
I’ve got to get the fuck out of this, now!

“I guess you’ve made your decision.” Rafe smiled.

“Yes, I have,” Anna confirmed.

“Good-bye, Rock,” Rafe said.

“I want to leave Jack with a message before I go,” she said.

Anna coughed slightly and walked to Jack. She reached back and solidly slapped him across the face. Rafe’s surprise gave way to a wide grin.

“I’ve always wanted to see you tied up,” Anna seductively said.

Anna bent and came nose to nose with Jack. She grabbed his face roughly and kissed him.

“Okay,” Rafe growled.

“Checkmate,” Anna whispered.

“Kill him, Alex, and then meet us outside,” Rafe said as he put his arm around Anna and left.

Jack watched the pair walk out of the room and heard a large metal door open.

“Alex. Come here,” Jack called.

“I need to get these fucking cuffs off. He’ll come back and I don’t have a key!” Alex said frustrated.

“Alex, give me your hand!”

“What?”

“Hold out your hand,” Jack commanded.

Alex placed his hand out and Jack spat the key into his open palm.

“What the fuck! How did you get the key?” Alex asked, working the lock and freeing Jack.

Jack’s body screamed in pain when he moved. Alex was working the fastening of the ropes to untie Jack’s feet.

“You didn’t see that? She picked his pockets like a pro,” Jack said. “I keep telling you motherfuckers, you don’t know my wife.” He groaned as he stood.

“Fuck me! I guess not,” Alex said.

“We’ve got to get the hell out of here. She’ll try something with him. I know Anna. She won’t give up that easy and she won’t get in a vehicle with him,” Jack said.

Alex fired three shots into the wall and led Jack into the warehouse where he’d stashed some weapons. Alex glanced at his watch. Bravo and Lima teams should be arriving any second. Alex and Jack separated as Alex walked out into the open to meet Rafe at the car. Anna and Rafe were waiting.

“What the fuck took you so long?” Rafe demanded.

“I had to get my licks in, too, Whiskey.” Alex shrugged.

“Is he dead?” Rafe asked.

“As dead as he can be.” Alex said.

“He better be,” Rafe snarled as he opened the car door. “Get in, Anna.”

Anna hesitated for a moment, and it was just the opportunity the sniper needed. Only Rafe moved suddenly and slammed Anna to the ground. He looked around. He knew a bullet when he heard one. He stood, grabbed Anna, and started running down the pier that followed the shoreline along the docks of the waterfront.

Jack could hear hurried footsteps coming toward him. He wasn’t certain if they were friendly or not. So he waited and watched. He heard a second set that stopped suddenly and shuffled. Jack slowed his breathing and scanned the area. He watched as Rafe came into view and one of the young SEALs stepped out of the shadows and fired. Rafe was faster. He dropped the young SEAL before he moved. Jack stepped out of the shadows. Rafe let Anna go with the momentary distraction.

“It’s over Rafe,” Jack called.

“I’ll kill her, Rock, and I’ll do it in front of you!” Rafe taunted.

Rafe and Jack were at a standoff, both pointing weapons at one another. In the distance, Jack could see Alex coming for them with weapons drawn, but he’d lost sight of Anna. He just needed to hold off Rafe for a few more seconds for his sniper to readjust. Jack heard four successive shots and Rafe dropped facedown onto the concrete dock. Jack looked around. Alex was now running toward Jack with his service pistol drawn.

Jack regained sight of Anna as she lowered a gun and held it out to the side away from her. She’d fired the shots. Alex took the gun, which she’d apparently picked up when the fallen young SEAL had dropped. Alex wrapped her in his arms, turning her away from the scene. She walked away from Alex and stopped at the water’s edge. The young SEAL who had fallen was able to get up thanks to his tactical vest. Alex looked at Jack and walked away. Jack walked to Anna and put his hands on her shoulders, gently rubbing them.

“I’m not burying another husband,” Anna said.

Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

US Naval Special Warfare Group Five

Office of the Commander

December 7, 2008/1337 Zulu

Jack, Dixie, Mac, Alex, and Lieutenant Commander Corbin sat around the conference table in Jack’s office. Dixie was being briefed on what had transpired at Ingleside Amphibious Base the previous night. He sat back and listened, never asking any questions. He’d seen some really bizarre shit during his time in special operations, but this by far had taken the cake. Rafe Wilson had had the world at his feet and it still wasn’t enough.

JJ was currently working with MI-6 in London to figure out what kind of damage had been done with Rafe’s betrayal. Jack had suspected for some time he had a bad apple in his organization and JJ had confirmed it was Rafe back in June. They’d been working since then to take Rafe down. When Rafe ended up dead, they thought their problem had ended but in reality it had just begun.

“Why did he want Anna?” Dixie finally asked.

“Her body, and not in a good way,” Alex said.

“And just what was he supposed do with that?” Dixie asked.

“While Anna was in the hospital, we treated her with an experimental antibiotic. The antibiotic had nanobots added to the medication. It learns the good from the bad and kills diseases that infect the body. When he had them lace the bullet and she survived, he wanted to find out why. That’s when he approached me,” Alex said.

“His plan was to infiltrate that bacteria he got from Pakistan into some kind of supply line that the military uses. I’m not sure how he planned on doing that. But we need to be on the lookout. He wasn’t doing this alone, and I don’t think his people are done. I know this goes further up. We just couldn’t figure out how far. He was pretty confident he could really make an impact because at the time there was no known treatment for the bacteria. We accidentally stumbled on it with Anna,” Jack said.