Lethal Echo by Cara Carnes

2

“Little Bit, I’m at the end of my patience. Turn this shit off,” Gage growled into the com.

“Afraid I can’t do that because it’s a field test. A brilliant one. Figure it out.” Zoey practically sing-songed the order as she chuckled. “I’ll give you a hint, though. Think EMF Bree style. Good luck.”

EMF? “How are our phones and coms working if it’s an EMF field?” Ramon Zapatero asked, already knowing the answer. The brilliant and beautiful Bree never did anything in half measure, which meant she’d designed a new form of electromagnetic field to incapacitate vehicles and likely any computerized weaponry.

“Phones and coms are still working because they’re run off HERA, and the new EMF drones or whatever we’re up against does, too,” Doug said as he grabbed the team’s laptop. “They’re likely being run by HERA.”

“Yes!” Pierce thumped Doug on the back. “This is why we keep you around.”

Ram couldn’t help but smile as his two best friends bantered back and forth. Gage closed the distance and loomed within his personal space. He faced his team leader and asked, “You have something to say?”

“You’re on edge,” Gage said. “We’re practically in her backyard. Square it away.”

“We should’ve been here three weeks ago. Better yet, she never should’ve been here.”

“Jesse and Mary both blessed Sinclair’s choice to give Bree what she wanted. They all had their reasons.” Gage looked at the dead vehicle. “They aren’t sharing to respect her privacy.”

Of course they did. They stayed ten steps ahead of everyone else. But Bree wasn’t a mission. Letting her leave The Arsenal was not a good call. To hell with their reasons. Mary, aka Edge, lived and breathed strategy. She was one half of the Quillery Edge, the most successful and sought after back-office operatives in existence. While Ram hadn’t worked with her as much as he had Zoey, he admired the woman’s brilliance and trusted her judgment.

Or, he had. His gut soured whenever he thought about the past twenty-one days without Bree at The Arsenal. They never should’ve let her leave. She’d waded into their troubles and taken on the aftermath along with them. Hell, she’d shaved her freaking head so Zoey wasn’t the only female cue ball walking around the compound.

“Square it away or I’ll leave you here,” Gage ordered.

“I’m solid.” He’d be solid once he saw Bree, breathed in her citrusy scent, and saw for himself that she was okay.

“They’re down,” Doug said. “I had to get Spade’s password for the beta testing environment. They’re in there. We owe him some beers.”

Ram grunted and got back into the vehicle. Gage got into the driver’s seat and impatiently tried starting it several times before it finally turned over. The man’s relief escaped in the form of a low chuckle. “That’ll be handy in the field.”

“I want to test it with non-Arsenal equipment,” Pierce commented. “But, yeah. It’s solid. All her tech is.”

“More than half her tech is downright dangerous,” Gage muttered.

“And whose fault is that? From what we’ve seen, everyone crawls down her throat whenever she mentions anything new she designed. Maybe if you’d keep your mouths shut and ask questions instead of bitching her out, she’d be more forthcoming with what she’s come up with,” Ram said.

Gage glared at him through the rearview mirror. “Point made.”

The vehicle halted outside a waist-high chain-link fence. A young boy and girl froze and stared at them as they exited the first of two SUVs. Lexi slid out of the latter and leaned against it. Arms crossed, she chuckled her amusement as the boy made his way to the gate of the fence and exited. He walked right up to Ram and peered up.

“Who are you?” The boy breathed the words as though he’d witnessed an apparition.

“I’m Ram. This is Doug, and that’s Pierce.” He motioned to his two friends. “That’s our boss, Gage, and that’s Lexi. We’re Bree’s friends. Is she around?”

“Whoa! You’re her superheroes? Cool! What powers do you have?” The boy’s gaze flicked between he, Doug, and Pierce.

The latter chuckled as he squatted down to the boy’s eye level. “Superheroes, huh? We can’t talk about our powers.”

“Right. Aunt Bree said the bad guys can’t ever know,” the boy whispered. “You’re the Triple Threat. Aunt Bree said you could hit a grape from a mile away.”

“He can, huh?” Gage chuckled. “It sounds like your aunt has been busy.”

“She’s in her secret lab a lot.”

“Secret lab?” Ram asked.

“It’s really the shed out back,” the boy said. “I’m Luke.” He took the girl’s hand. “This is Hillary, my sister. Aunt Bree is inside with Dad and Grams.”

A commotion on the porch drew Ram’s attention. His pulse quickened when the beautiful, short blonde who’d haunted his dreams shoved past a tall man and vaulted down the stairs. She launched herself at Gage, who took a solid two steps back from the impact.

“You’re here.” She wrapped the man into a hug and held on. “I missed you.”

The quiet admission wrapped around Ram even though the words hadn’t been directed at him. I missed you, too. He waited his turn as she went from Gage to Doug, then Pierce. She separated from the latter and locked gazes with Ram.

His pulse quickened when she licked her lips and ran a hand down her short blonde hair. She took a tentative step forward. That was enough of an effort. He closed the distance and drew her into his arms.

Fuck. He’d missed her hugs. He caressed her hair and kissed the top of her head. “I missed you, too, sweetheart.”

“You came,” she whispered against his throat.

“Yeah. Three weeks later than I wanted to,” he admitted. He cupped her chin and studied her watery gaze. “You okay?”

“I’m getting better.” She smiled. “Sorry about the whole superhero thing. Story time got boring.”

“It’s all good. Just don’t make us wear tights,” Pierce said as he mussed her hair.

“Yeah, ball sweat is a real problem with those,” Doug added.

“Language,” Gage warned. He glanced over at the tall man who’d made his approach. “Sorry about that. They have no filter.”

“Luke’s heard worse. I’m Lars, Bree’s brother.” He motioned toward the woman at his side. “This is our grandma, or Grams as she prefers to be called. You got through that block faster than I expected, so we aren’t quite packed yet.”

“It’s okay, we can help,” Doug said as he made his way into the yard. He paused and looked around at the toys. “Which of these does our superhero-in-training want to take?”

“Really? I can train with you?” Luke darted to Doug. “Dad said I could start learning to shoot his rifle. He’s a good shot.”

“Good. I could use some backup,” Pierce commented. He motioned toward the toys. “Why don’t you help me round these up and get them in the vehicle while your dad and aunt get finished packing up inside?”

“Yeah! Come on, Hillary. You’ll want your bike.” The little girl’s eyes widened as she looked up at her dad.

“It’s okay, sweetie,” Bree said with a smile as she drew away from Ram. “We’re going to go visit my friends in Texas.”

“Horsies?”

“Yeah, you can meet Peanut.” Bree touched the girl’s shoulder. “Sorry, she’s shy.”

Ram wasn’t sure how okay Riley Mason would be with the little girl meeting her horse, Peanut, but he didn’t comment. The youngest of the Mason brood was an unpredictable force. He made a mental note to give The Arsenal’s new K9 trainer a heads up that two young children were inbound. Kayla had arrived last week with a starting squadron of five-dozen adult dogs and puppies to be trained as service animals for The Arsenal’s Warrior’s Path Program. He bet Luke and Hillary would enjoy playing with the puppies.

“You’re quiet,” Bree commented.

“I’m just glad you’re coming home where you belong.” He caressed her cheek. “I wish you’d stayed so we could’ve helped you through this.”

“I know.” She touched his hand with her own. “That was one of the lessons I had to learn, that I’m not alone.”

She wouldn’t ever be if Ram had anything to say about it. “We’ve all been there at one time or another. If you ever need to talk, rant, or blow shit up, let me know.”

She grinned. “Does that mean you’ll teach me to shoot all those weapons I’ve been upgrading? It’s a bit nuts that I don’t ever get to play with the toys I add tech to.”

“Yeah, we’ll get you trained.” The Mason brothers who ran The Arsenal would likely have a word with him about it, but Ram didn’t care. If Bree wanted to train, he’d make it happen. “Come on, let’s get your gear packed up. There are a lot of people anxious to see you again.”

* * *

“Whoa! It’s huge!” Luke unbuckled and lunged into the area between the front seats of the SUV. “Is there a Batcave like Batman uses?”

“No, but your aunt’s lab is underground,” Ram said with a chuckle.

Heat crawled up Bree’s cheeks for the millionth time since their departure from the cabin. Hillary and Luke had peppered Gage, Ram, Doug, and Pierce with question after question. They’d answered them all with the same amusement.

A glimmer shone in Ram’s gaze when it latched on to hers. She mouthed the word sorry once again, but he grinned and shook his head. She only hoped the rest of the commandos took Luke’s superhero worship with the same amused acceptance.

The Arsenal’s massive entry gate opened quietly. Her heart thudded hard in her chest. As if sensing the anxiety, anticipation, and worry rising within her, Ram took her hand and squeezed. Although the compound hadn’t changed much, she noted the differences quickly. Complete houses and cottages sat where there’d once only been incomplete structures. Burton Construction had been very busy the past three weeks.

Two long lines of dogs, followed by an even longer, less organized stream of puppies, marched from the north. March was the only word for it because they were stunning to watch. Almost hypnotic. A short blonde woman moved between them, her sole focus on the animals around her as they made their way toward the open field where operatives were doing pushups.

Her heart swelled when she saw the gathered group near the parking lot in front of the Operations building. A flash of purple and pink hair appeared in Bree’s field of vision as Zoey ran toward the moving vehicle.

Gage stifled an amused curse as he parked quickly. She unlatched her seatbelt and exited as Zoey impacted with her. The tentative grip she’d had on her emotions broke. Tears streamed down her face.

“I’ve got you, girlfriend. We’ve got this,” Zoey whispered.

Bree clung to her friend and let the emotions escape. Relief, happiness, guilt, and fear rolled through her. She might not be fully recovered, but she had no doubt she’d find her way because the people she’d abandoned wouldn’t ever abandon her. “Sinclair was right. I shouldn’t have left.”

She inhaled the scents that were uniquely The Arsenal. Faint wisps of oil, carbine, grass, and cow shit filled her nostrils. She’d missed the latter more than she’d realized. Arms wrapped around her and Zoey as Mary, Vi, Addy, Riley, Ellie, and Kamren all added themselves to the hug.

“I missed your baby day,” Bree whispered.

“It’s okay, I’m sure there’ll be more,” Kamren said with an amused chuckle.

That’d been one of the most incredible moments Zoey had captured in the video—the birth of Daniel Montgomery, who’d come into the world while his Aunt Riley was undertaking her first solo case.

“And you have kids now. That’s so awesome,” Bree whispered to Rhea.

Her best friend had gotten an instafamily of three children. Bree couldn’t wait to meet the kids and get to know them.

“They can’t wait to meet their Aunt Bree,” Rhea said. Everyone separated. Their men appeared at their sides. Bree took a moment to hug and greet each of them. She could spend days doing this, but she’d give herself a few hours at most because there was work to be done. A lot of work.

She hugged Jesse the last. “Thank you.” She didn’t explain why she was thanking the amazing man. He’d understand because he’d been in the trenches of his war alone. She hadn’t fully comprehended how deep and dark it’d become, but he’d known. Even though she’d wanted to retreat from her closest friends, the man had ensured she wouldn’t be alone.

He’d remained a steady, calm presence within her daily life. Other than Doctor Sinclair, he’d been the only one she’d talked with every day—even in the darkest times when she hadn’t wanted that contact. He’d been there, a sometimes silent sentry to listen to her rant and rave. Cry. Although he’d seen her at her weakest, even more so than Sinclair had, she knew he’d never share it with anyone.

“Sometimes we can’t give the dark to those we love the most,” he whispered against her temple. “I’m glad I was able to give you what Levi gave me.”

Bree knew the harrowing ordeal Jesse endured had been far worse than hers, but dark was dark. He’d held the door she’d tried to slam shut open because he’d known she’d need the light to find her way back. Even though he’d also likely known her retreat from The Arsenal was the wrong play, he hadn’t judged her. He’d listened. Cared.

“Thank you,” she repeated, because he deserved to hear it a million times over. Did anyone else even know he’d inserted himself into her daily routine? Forty-five minutes after every daily session with Sinclair, her cell would ring. “I’m sorry I was such a bitch some days.”

“What’s she talking about?” Zoey asked.

Bree pulled away and swiped at her cheeks. The question answered her own. No one had known. “Sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Jesse said. “She’ll share when and if she wants.”

Intensity resonated within everyone’s gazes as they moved between her and Jesse. She forced her attention to Lars and Grams, who both hovered on the outside of the large circle that’d formed around her. She made her way to them and forced a smile. “Everyone, this is my brother, Lars, and my grandma. She goes by Grams.”

Luke plowed toward her from around the SUV. He tugged on Hillary’s arm. “I’m Luke, a superhero-in-training. The Triple Threat said so.”

Everyone chuckled. Heat crawled up her cheeks once more. “And this is Luke and Hillary, my nephew and niece. They’ll all be staying with us for a while.”

Grams reached up and wiped her fingers across Bree’s wet cheek. “My baby girl wasn’t okay. I saw, but not how bad it was. Sweet girl, you should’ve talked to me.”

“I’m okay, Grams. I promise.” Silence ticked by a few moments. Bree’s pulse quickened. She hadn’t wanted her reunion to become an emotional tsunami.

“You’re The Judge,” Luke stage whispered. His little head rocked back so he could lock gazes with Jud. His tiny hands balled into fists as he began the stare down to end all stare downs. Oh boy.

“Luke. Don’t.”

But the eye war was on. Jud’s lips twitched as he crouched, maintaining eye contact. Neither spoke. People around them chuckled. Vi swatted at her husband’s shoulders, but he continued the visual warfare.

“Story time got boring,” Ram said into the silence. “Luke is pretty excited to meet all the superheroes he heard about.” The unspoken warning hung within each word as his gaze swept everyone gathered around her.

Relief filled her as each of her friends grinned and offered a slight nod. They’d play it cool with Luke, even though being labeled a superhero was likely the last thing any of them would want. Kickass men and women like them didn’t want recognition for what they did.

Lars made his way through handshakes with each of the men, then the women. His gaze swept toward the training field, where the rest of the commandos had halted their workout and were now congregated in a circle hovering nearby.

“That’s the rest of the commandos,” Bree offered. She waved. “Hey, everyone. I missed you.”

A few chuckled. They all waved. She didn’t pretend to know all their names, so introductions wouldn’t happen, but she had missed them all because they were a vital part of her huge, makeshift family.

“Let’s get your family settled in their house,” Marshall said. “Have you eaten?”

“Does a Diet Coke and a bag of Cheetos count?” Lars asked. “That’s all she’d eat since we opted to drive through the night.”

“You need real food,” Ram whispered as he settled a hand at her waist. “And rest.”

Bree realized Stacia, Olaf, Kristof, and Mia were missing. Where was Levi? Her gaze swept what she could see of the compound.

As if sensing her thoughts, Nolan cleared his throat. “Levi and his team, which includes Mia, is returning from a mission. They’ll be back later today.”

“And Kristof took Stacia and Olaf into San Antonio,” Addy added. “They’ll return in a few hours.”

“And where’s the newest Mason?” Bree asked. “I can’t wait to give him cuddles.”

“He’s with Momma Mason,” Kamren said. “All the kids are. We didn’t want to overwhelm Luke and Hillary.”

Bree glanced down at her nephew, who was still engaged in the stare down. “Luke, leave Jud be.”

The boy’s lips thinned as he looked away. “Next time, Judge.”

Everyone laughed. Jud’s amusement rolled out in a loud wave as he stood and hoisted the boy up. Luke squealed his delight when he went airborne. “You’re pretty good at that.”

“Aunt Bree taught me.” Luke grinned as he looked over at her. He patted Jud’s cheek. “He’s not scary, Aunt Bree. I don’t think he used the turbo freeze on me. I didn’t feel anything.”

When would this superhero thing end? She squeezed her eyes shut as everyone’s amusement sounded once again. Jud handed Luke over to Lars. The two men chatted, but she couldn’t hear what they said.

Hillary wrapped her arms around Bree’s leg. Vi and Mary both crouched down and smiled at the little girl as she tucked herself behind Bree.

“She’s a bit shy,” Bree said.

“I remember someone else who’d hide behind me,” Grams commented. “She’ll grow out of it.”

“Hi there, sweetie. I’m your Aunt Mary, and this is Aunt Vi. What’s your friend’s name?”

Bree glanced down and noticed the doll Hillary clutched in her left arm. Hillary kissed the top of its head. Her soft voice came out hesitant. “Mollie. She’s a princess, like me.” The girl ran her hand down her wrinkled, pink dress.

“You want to go see your castle?” Vi asked. “We’ll need you to tell us if we forgot something.”

Hillary nodded and took a step forward. “Mollie likes tea parties.”

“Who doesn’t?” Jud asked. “I’ve got a princess of my own. I could use some help learning what she’ll need.”

The girl nodded once again and held out her hand to Vi. The woman stood and grasped it. “Then let’s go see the castle.”