“Where are we going, sir?” Harley Yu pressed.
“As a wise woman once said, ‘a person is defined by what they do, not by what they thought about doing.’”
Meg chuckled in his ear.
“We’re going to the Winter ranch. We’ll find room for us and our equipment in their big red barn.”
“We’ll make room.” Meg’s voice was crisp in his ear—clear enough for Rhett to hear the smile in her voice.
“We move in exactly fifteen minutes. Double time it. We’ve got a war to win!”
A chorus of “hooahs” was the gunshot that started the race to follow orders. Nate and Valen jumped into the fray organizing the rapid dismantlement. Rhett set himself on a task he knew would be key to their counterinsurgency.
Fourteen minutes, thirty-seconds later the trucks began to roll away from the former base, leaving only trampled grass in their wake.
Rhett had put the finishing touches on his tasks before hopping on his motorcycle and cranking the engine to life. His wheels flung dust into the dark sky as he locked eyes on their destination glowing in the distance. The convoy moved as fast as the bumpy terrain would allow. Rhett’s engine roared ahead of the group. Meg would be waiting for them at the northernmost edge of her family’s expansive land.
She was going to guide them up to the house through a specific pathway. She didn’t want to risk any of them setting off one of the four improvised explosive devices. IEDs were crudely made but highly effective. She had strategically planted them around the house.
He saw her silhouette as he approached, the bright lights of her home outlining her shape. Rhett pulled up beside her, his bike’s engine purring loudly.
“Hop on,” he motioned to the space behind him, walking a fine line between respect and reverence toward the girl he’d heard about as far back as his memory would allow.
Meg shook her head against a bitter wind as it tugged at her long dark curls. She forced his gaze onto her before adding, “I’m driving.”
She parked her hands on her hips waiting for him to move. Meg wore black cargo pants and a long-sleeved black shirt. At the belt around her slim waist was an impressive arsenal. Add that to her equally loaded tactical vest adorned with spare mags and the glint of the four semiautomatic handguns hanging from her hips and strapped to her thighs, and she was the most beautifully lethal woman he’d ever seen. Ever.
Damn, she looks badass! Rhett nearly swallowed his tongue at the whole package.
He dragged his eyes away from her magnetism to look back at his convoy. Their headlights flashed as the noses of the trucks dipped and rose over the lumpy ground. They were fast approaching.
“Yes, ma’am,” he conceded and released the handlebars to slide back on the seat. He easily supported the weight of the bike with his muscular legs. Meg watched him respectfully move his hands to the curved bar behind his hips for balance rather than reach forward to hold her. She nodded once appreciating his consideration and gracefully straddled the rumbling machine. The handlebars were still warm from his hands.
“Tell them to follow my lead exactly or someone could get killed. I planted pressure sensitive landmines around the house.” Meg looked over her shoulder at 17th Company’s leader.
“Copy that,” he acknowledged. Touching his earpiece, he relayed the orders to the soldiers driving the truck.
“Okay, they’ll stay right on our six. Lead the way.” He had to lean in to be sure Meg heard him and felt her muscular back and shoulders brush against his chest. Again he had to control his reflex response toward her.
Meg wanted to ignore Rhett’s infatuation, and hoped it wouldn’t get in the way of their objective. Keep a clear head, she pushed her thoughts toward him gently.
Meg rolled the bike slowly at first, allowing the trucks to catch up. Once they were on her tail, she picked up the pace and led the way until they reached the front of the barn.
From her pocket Meg produced a remote, clicked it and waited for the barn’s doors to slide on their tracks until they opened wide enough to fit the vehicles. The convoy pulled in with plenty of room to spare.
Meg eased off the bike and stepped forward to help park the three trucks inside. Soldiers spilled from the back of the third truck and formed a loose circle around Rhett. Nate and Valen materialized beside their leader as he raised his hands. Excited murmurs hushed immediately and the curious stares at Meg ceased as all eyes shifted to watch Rhett.
53 Introductions