Chapter 144: Carla

Monday. Secondary Safe House, Beirut, Lebanon.

CARLA LEANED AGAINST the wall and peered out at the parking pad where the men loaded Melody into the back of a sedan. The other two injured team members were at least able to sit up. Vaughn was still her ever-present shadow, but after earlier even he didn't make her feel inherently safe. There was someone very dangerous out there with their eyes on them. Because of Ashton? Who had he upset to gain such an enemy?

She didn't know where the car had come from. She was too focused on the blood. So much of it. Everywhere. And no one was commenting about it. They just kept going.

The silence was the worst. The men worked together as the well-oiled machine they were, no orders or questions necessary. It was unnerving to watch.

"What's going to happen?" Carla whispered to Vaughn standing at her shoulder.

"They're going to a private medical practice. We've still got a few friends here. They'll stabilize Melody and fly out as soon as the