Monday. Safe House, Beirut, Lebanon.VAUGHN REMAINED IN Carla's shadow. He didn't give two fucks what everyone else thought of him. Chances were high he was going to get fired when all this was over. What was the point in playing nice until then? Carla needed support, and damn it, he was going to be her shoulder."Everyone?" Grant turned his attention from their visitor to the team. "Pack your bags, we're moving out. Travel light. If this Hani character knows where we are, we don't want to be here any longer."Vaughn's stuff was ready to go. His shift was over. Someone else could worry about the surveillance setup for once. He was going to help Carla wrangle her belongings and get a vest on her. If they were going to move, he'd breathe easier knowing she had some armor on under the pretty clothes.Riley was the first to spring into action, heading for the bedrooms to no doubt wake up those still sleeping. They were used to quick moves and living on the go. The guys would be

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

Monday. Secondary Safe House, Beirut, Lebanon.CARLA SAT BACK on her heels and stared at the bathroom. She could easily imagine this being the height of fashion when it was built with the hand-painted tiles and desert colors. Over the years it hadn't aged well, but with a little scrubbing it at least seemed more inviting.Vaughn's deep voice resonated off the stone and tile. "You going to spend all day in here?"She yelped and twisted around, sitting down hard in a still damp puddle.He stood in the doorway, hands up and a chuckle curving his handsome lips into an inviting smile."It's not cool to sneak up on someone like that." She threw her rag at his boot."Sorry." He offered her a hand. "Any chance you're finished in here?"She took his offered hand and let him pull her to her feet. She turned to once more examine her handiwork."It's good enough, I suppose.""Does it only have those squatty potty things?" He stepped past her and groaned.It was Carla's turn

Vaughn remained where he was, watching the man come closer. And closer.The man did a sudden left turn down a narrow street and passed out of sight. Something about that coat still sat wrong with Vaughn.He returned to the salon with its view of the street along the front of the house and took up a post in the corner. From this position he could see where the narrow street met with the main thoroughfare.The minute dragged on and the man didn't come into view on any camera."Something's not right. Where'd that guy go?" Vaughn asked."Maybe he works in one of those shops?" Brenden replied.It was a logical thought, but something about the guy didn't sit right with Vaughn. Or maybe he was paranoid.He leaned left a bit to try to get a better view of the main road, but the same tree still blocked his line of sight.A light flashed out of the corner of his eye. He moved, reacting on instinct and threw himself back against the wall. The window shattered, right where he'd bee

Tuesday. Beirut, Lebanon.VAUGHN GRIPPED THE wheel and tried to both watch the traffic and for any sign of Carla. With Nolan unable to use his right leg, it had fallen to Vaughn to take up the keys."Where is she?" he snarled."Quiet," Grant snapped."Is Zain tracking her? Do we know who that man is?" Vaughn had chased the bike out of the park and down a whole block on foot before traffic had opened up and allowed the motorcycle to get away."I understand," Grant said."What?" Vaughn wanted to reach over and take the phone. They needed answers.Nolan leaned forward between the seats and muttered, "Chill out."Grant lowered the phone and tapped the screen. "You're on speaker with Nolan, Vaughn and myself. Go.""Lepta Team?" The voice on the other end was Zain, but he sounded wrong. Not at all like the guy Vaughn had heard over the years telling them how to pull off what amounted to magic to get a job done. "You are to head to the US Embassy for your own safety. From