subject at hand,” Hawk interrupted quietly. “Let’s stick to the file. You can ask other personal questions later.”
“Actually, we aren’t straying off too far,” Vivi countered. “CIVPOL wants the same man you’re after. He is just now moving into Asian territory because of the drug business but his main business ID in Eastern Europe is the sex trade.”
“We don’t care what CIVPOL wants,” Hawk said.
“I know that, Lieutenant Commander. Your men know that, but CIVPOL also knows that Dilaver is headed to Asia, and I assure you, Mr. Sun or someone under him, ishot on his heels. It’s always good to keep in mind third party interference.”
“Absolument.” Hawk nodded at her. “Third party duly noted.”
Hawk’s quiet agreement was deceptive. Vivi was aware that all his men were watching their discussion with interest. He seemed bent on testing her, provoking her into sounding defensive. She, on the other hand, wasn’t going to give an inch to this kind of manipulation.
Vivi picked up the video control and clicked the button. Behind her a giant picture of a man appeared on the screen.
“This is your target. Dragan Dilaver, a notorious kingpin in Eastern Europe. Headquarters is in Velesta, Macedonia. As you can see, except for the dark blondish hair, he looks more Asian than European, with Asiatic eyes and high cheekbones. He is in his late thirties or early forties, about five feet, six inches, heavyset, probably one hundred seventy to two hundred pounds depending on the description from sex slaves who escaped his hellholes. He has several brothers who work for him on and off, and they have been expanding the family business beyond Europe these past couple of years.”
Vivi looked at each of the men in the eye before continuing. “My outfit is GEM. We’ve been contracted to stop a certain shipment of these girls crossing the border. Admiral Madison wants Dragan Dilaver. Our operations cross paths because Dilaver himself is bringing these girls. My concern is to get this shipment out of his hands safely. Your own operation will be outlined by your commanding officer.”
“Why is Dilaver bringing these girls personally?” Jazz asked.
“There’s a rumor that he’s meeting with some local Triad members to negotiate territory and expanding drug trade,” Vivi replied. “Even criminals have their own politics. Dilaver is bringing some girls as a peace offering.”
“Let’s blow him up,” Cucumber chimed in, his voice full of disgust.
“That would be nice,” Vivi agreed readily. Her notes on Dilaver made her retch. “However, my contract’s orders are very specific. I’m only to make sure the girls get out of the way and leave Dilaver to the SEALs.”
“We can do that ourselves,” Dirk chimed in. “We’ve extracted prisoners before.”
Dirk was the quiet one, Vivi mentally noted, the one everyone listened to whenever he spoke. “You have your own mission,” she told him. “I think you’ll have a clearer idea after Lieutenant McMillan briefs you. Besides, I speak the local dialect, and believe me, you’re going to need me in this extraction.”
“Since we aren’t negotiating, why would we need you?” another one of the men spoke up. “Not arguing here, Miss Verreau, just wanted to understand your role within our group.”
“I have no role within your group, save that you will need me where the safety of these girls are concerned,” Vivi said.
“Frontline combat is no place for women.”
Jazz’s quiet comment sliced through the growing edginess. Vivi didn’t look at him immediately, choosing to study the others’ reactions first. Some of the men hid their surprise well. A few of them had the smiles of cocky males in agreement. Arms folded, Hawk remained impassive, but his eyes were watchful. And all of them were waiting for her eruption.
Vivi leaned a hip against the nearest table in the front, then deliberately crossed her legs. It was all about power, she
“Actually, we aren’t straying off too far,” Vivi countered. “CIVPOL wants the same man you’re after. He is just now moving into Asian territory because of the drug business but his main business ID in Eastern Europe is the sex trade.”
“We don’t care what CIVPOL wants,” Hawk said.
“I know that, Lieutenant Commander. Your men know that, but CIVPOL also knows that Dilaver is headed to Asia, and I assure you, Mr. Sun or someone under him, ishot on his heels. It’s always good to keep in mind third party interference.”
“Absolument.” Hawk nodded at her. “Third party duly noted.”
Hawk’s quiet agreement was deceptive. Vivi was aware that all his men were watching their discussion with interest. He seemed bent on testing her, provoking her into sounding defensive. She, on the other hand, wasn’t going to give an inch to this kind of manipulation.
Vivi picked up the video control and clicked the button. Behind her a giant picture of a man appeared on the screen.
“This is your target. Dragan Dilaver, a notorious kingpin in Eastern Europe. Headquarters is in Velesta, Macedonia. As you can see, except for the dark blondish hair, he looks more Asian than European, with Asiatic eyes and high cheekbones. He is in his late thirties or early forties, about five feet, six inches, heavyset, probably one hundred seventy to two hundred pounds depending on the description from sex slaves who escaped his hellholes. He has several brothers who work for him on and off, and they have been expanding the family business beyond Europe these past couple of years.”
Vivi looked at each of the men in the eye before continuing. “My outfit is GEM. We’ve been contracted to stop a certain shipment of these girls crossing the border. Admiral Madison wants Dragan Dilaver. Our operations cross paths because Dilaver himself is bringing these girls. My concern is to get this shipment out of his hands safely. Your own operation will be outlined by your commanding officer.”
“Why is Dilaver bringing these girls personally?” Jazz asked.
“There’s a rumor that he’s meeting with some local Triad members to negotiate territory and expanding drug trade,” Vivi replied. “Even criminals have their own politics. Dilaver is bringing some girls as a peace offering.”
“Let’s blow him up,” Cucumber chimed in, his voice full of disgust.
“That would be nice,” Vivi agreed readily. Her notes on Dilaver made her retch. “However, my contract’s orders are very specific. I’m only to make sure the girls get out of the way and leave Dilaver to the SEALs.”
“We can do that ourselves,” Dirk chimed in. “We’ve extracted prisoners before.”
Dirk was the quiet one, Vivi mentally noted, the one everyone listened to whenever he spoke. “You have your own mission,” she told him. “I think you’ll have a clearer idea after Lieutenant McMillan briefs you. Besides, I speak the local dialect, and believe me, you’re going to need me in this extraction.”
“Since we aren’t negotiating, why would we need you?” another one of the men spoke up. “Not arguing here, Miss Verreau, just wanted to understand your role within our group.”
“I have no role within your group, save that you will need me where the safety of these girls are concerned,” Vivi said.
“Frontline combat is no place for women.”
Jazz’s quiet comment sliced through the growing edginess. Vivi didn’t look at him immediately, choosing to study the others’ reactions first. Some of the men hid their surprise well. A few of them had the smiles of cocky males in agreement. Arms folded, Hawk remained impassive, but his eyes were watchful. And all of them were waiting for her eruption.
Vivi leaned a hip against the nearest table in the front, then deliberately crossed her legs. It was all about power, she
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