Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Aaron's Honor (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Men of Mercy Book 8) by Lindsay Cross Page A
Authors: Lindsay Cross
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of a Virginia Slim cigarette lit at the top. Except for his eyes, they held nothing, just took up empty space on his face in a way far more menacing than Daniel. “Will it help Caroline?”
“You may be the only way we find her. Unfortunately, our teams on the ground lost her trail after your rescue.”
His carefully spoken words lit a match of guilt in her chest, burning up her cheeks while her hands went numb. “Are you saying if they hadn’t rescued me, they might have found Caroline?”
Aaron's chest rumbled against her. “Watch it, O'Keefe. There wasn't any choice involved. If we didn't rescue Celine, she'd be gone. At least we still know who has Caroline.”
O'Keefe rolled his shoulder around the door frame and straightened, his movements fluid like a serpent. “Ah, that's true. But if your team had gone after Mr. J this whole thing might be over by now.”
Celine’s head swung back and forth between the two men, watching as they faced off, the tension growing thicker than the fog outside. Aaron went as stiff as the metal chair next to him. “We’ll find J and Caroline.”
“You, or your team? Haven't each of you vowed to see him dead? What are you doing here when you could be on his trail?”
Celine felt each word from O'Keefe like a bag of concrete weighing her down and when Aaron didn't answer, she felt that concrete harden. He really was here playing hero. Or maybe because he'd been ordered to guard her?
She'd heard about the attack on his headquarters not long ago, heard it was someone intent on wiping out his team. “Was he the one who attacked you?”
Aaron stared right through her.
“Yes, Ms. Latimer, and yet here he is, while the rest of his team hunts down the man who tried to have their entire unit and families annihilated. You must be a very special person to Mr. Speirs for him to give up his best shot at revenge.” O'Keefe circled the room, his steps slow and measured, all the while he tapped a finger on his lower lip.
“Is that true? Are you missing out on catching him?” She whispered.
“Killing him. Not catching. There will be no catching involved when I finally get my hands on Mr. J.”
Aaron’s words took the concrete weighing her down and threw an extra truck load on top. “You should go, be with your team.”
“What do you want to bet he can't? Did someone order you to bring her here? To babysit the wounded bird?” O'Keefe drew out the word babysit, emphasizing baby.
Shame heated Celine’s cheeks. She wasn't a pet project or a fixer upper in need of careful handling. And she sure as hell didn't want a man by her side only out of obligation.
Or worse, pity.
The way Aaron stood stiff and distant was more of an answer than any verbal communication. He hadn't chosen her. His commander had taken his choice away.
“Ms. Latimer, as I was saying, I really do need to ask you a few questions, and it would be better if we were alone. Protocol, you understand?”
Celine moved to the corner of the room, as far from Aaron and his pity as she could get. “I'm ready.”
“Mr. Speirs, if you could just step out in the hall for a moment. I'll call you when we are done.”
Aaron’s face flushed. “No. I'm not leaving her side.”
“Why? Do you think I'm not capable of answering a few questions?” Celine asked.
“No, it’s not that. You shouldn't be alone right now. You're still in shock.”
“Shock? I'm upset, yes. A little bruised. But that will not stop me from doing anything in my power to help find Caroline.” Celine paused and then said, “You understand that don't you?”
Just like he understood the thirst for revenge.
Aaron faltered, his gaze bouncing between her and O'Keefe.
The agent walked toward the door and held it open. “Mr. Speirs?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Aaron prowled back-and-forth just outside the door standing between him and Celine. That fucker O'Keefe rubbed him the wrong way. But he'd been smart, probably why he was a CIA intel
“You may be the only way we find her. Unfortunately, our teams on the ground lost her trail after your rescue.”
His carefully spoken words lit a match of guilt in her chest, burning up her cheeks while her hands went numb. “Are you saying if they hadn’t rescued me, they might have found Caroline?”
Aaron's chest rumbled against her. “Watch it, O'Keefe. There wasn't any choice involved. If we didn't rescue Celine, she'd be gone. At least we still know who has Caroline.”
O'Keefe rolled his shoulder around the door frame and straightened, his movements fluid like a serpent. “Ah, that's true. But if your team had gone after Mr. J this whole thing might be over by now.”
Celine’s head swung back and forth between the two men, watching as they faced off, the tension growing thicker than the fog outside. Aaron went as stiff as the metal chair next to him. “We’ll find J and Caroline.”
“You, or your team? Haven't each of you vowed to see him dead? What are you doing here when you could be on his trail?”
Celine felt each word from O'Keefe like a bag of concrete weighing her down and when Aaron didn't answer, she felt that concrete harden. He really was here playing hero. Or maybe because he'd been ordered to guard her?
She'd heard about the attack on his headquarters not long ago, heard it was someone intent on wiping out his team. “Was he the one who attacked you?”
Aaron stared right through her.
“Yes, Ms. Latimer, and yet here he is, while the rest of his team hunts down the man who tried to have their entire unit and families annihilated. You must be a very special person to Mr. Speirs for him to give up his best shot at revenge.” O'Keefe circled the room, his steps slow and measured, all the while he tapped a finger on his lower lip.
“Is that true? Are you missing out on catching him?” She whispered.
“Killing him. Not catching. There will be no catching involved when I finally get my hands on Mr. J.”
Aaron’s words took the concrete weighing her down and threw an extra truck load on top. “You should go, be with your team.”
“What do you want to bet he can't? Did someone order you to bring her here? To babysit the wounded bird?” O'Keefe drew out the word babysit, emphasizing baby.
Shame heated Celine’s cheeks. She wasn't a pet project or a fixer upper in need of careful handling. And she sure as hell didn't want a man by her side only out of obligation.
Or worse, pity.
The way Aaron stood stiff and distant was more of an answer than any verbal communication. He hadn't chosen her. His commander had taken his choice away.
“Ms. Latimer, as I was saying, I really do need to ask you a few questions, and it would be better if we were alone. Protocol, you understand?”
Celine moved to the corner of the room, as far from Aaron and his pity as she could get. “I'm ready.”
“Mr. Speirs, if you could just step out in the hall for a moment. I'll call you when we are done.”
Aaron’s face flushed. “No. I'm not leaving her side.”
“Why? Do you think I'm not capable of answering a few questions?” Celine asked.
“No, it’s not that. You shouldn't be alone right now. You're still in shock.”
“Shock? I'm upset, yes. A little bruised. But that will not stop me from doing anything in my power to help find Caroline.” Celine paused and then said, “You understand that don't you?”
Just like he understood the thirst for revenge.
Aaron faltered, his gaze bouncing between her and O'Keefe.
The agent walked toward the door and held it open. “Mr. Speirs?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Aaron prowled back-and-forth just outside the door standing between him and Celine. That fucker O'Keefe rubbed him the wrong way. But he'd been smart, probably why he was a CIA intel
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