FIRE (Elite Forces Series Book 2) by Hilary Storm, Kathy Coopmans Read Free Book Online

perfect standing concrete casket big enough for about five people.  They've all pinned me to the back wall like they have to protect me.  Idiots.  If they only knew I could shoot a bullet through all of their heads and still hit my target.  It doesn’t matter; every one of us has our pistols drawn while we wait for any sign of life outside this hole.
    The engine dulls out just before a few car doors slam shut.  I draw in a breath, preparing to shoot anything that opens that door.  How I wish it were the men who have Kaleb, so they would beg me for mercy before I cut their balls off and shove them up their asses for taking him.
    “It’s me.” We hear Ricardo from the other side of the door. “And us.” My eyes grow wide.  The rest of the team came back.
    “Took you fuckers long enough,” Jackson bellows out the door first, his big-ass frame hardly squeezing through the door.
    “Fuck off, Jackson, who will get no action.” Steele laughs at his own joke.  While I just want to jump in everyone's arms and thank them for coming back, but I won't. 
    “You still pissed off at us?”  Ace—or is it Vice? —slings his arm around me, tugging me close to his side.  My mind is such a cluster I don’t remember who is who anymore.
    “No.  You did what you had to do.  I’m glad you're all here now.  I’m assuming the mission is accomplished,” I say bitterly.  Not at them, but if it weren’t for the man we had to go in and get, the man I care about would not be wherever he is, more than likely accepting the idea of death over his suffering right now.
    “Yes. He’s been handed over to the higher ups and… before you ask.  They’ve been interrogating him, but he won’t give up a damn thing.  We’re on our own from here, unless we get word from the President or his cabinet.” He grins down at me as if I don’t understand how this all works.  I do.  I know more than he thinks I know.  What I want to know now, though, is what I’m about to ask our friend here.  He sure has his way of getting around without telling us a thing.  I’m just about ready to go off on the old man when Harris cuts me off.  The look in his eyes tells me to let it go.
    “Did you find out anything?” Harris directs his attention from me to Ricardo, even though he never takes his eyes off of mine.  I blow out a heavy breath in frustration and work to focus on Ricardo’s response.
    “I haven’t.  They’ve vanished.  However,” he holds his hand up and signals for us all to follow. Harris and I drop our gazes from one another.  I’ll keep my mouth shut for now and let his logic lead this conversation over my emotions.
    “There are a lot of wooded areas around these parts.  Lots of vacant, run-down homes.  Now, look.”  Pulling a map out of his back pocket, he folds it open on the table we all gather around.
    “Harris,” I say nervously.  It’s all in Spanish.  I can’t make out a thing.
    “I got it, Jade.” Harris nods then follows the old man’s pointed finger as he places it on a spot on the map.
    “Right here. This… this is where they have to have him.”  My anger propels.  I’m speaking my mind this time.
    “You can’t just guess.  You have to be sure.  This isn’t hide and seek.  That’s my man out there.” Motioning to the door, I stop as I realize my voice is much louder than it should be.  My emotions have me spun so tight I can hardly think straight.
    “What she's trying to say is… We need some sort of verification before we go in and raid these places.  Can we trust someone to go in and check some of them out?  Maybe a local who won't look as obvious as this team,” Harris explains.
    “I’m not guessing.  My sons have been out there.  I’m telling you, this is where he is.”  He jabs his finger into the exact same spot on the map.  I should feel like a bitch for doubting his word after everything he's done for us, but I don't.  Our safety is vital during