Free Avenged (Hostage Rescue Team Series) (Volume 5) by Kaylea Cross Page B

her way to avoid him as she had the past few times he’d gone home for a visit, but he still didn’t love the idea of her prosecuting someone like Fuentes. That asshole was ruthless, and his network extended far beyond Miami. In fact, word was, he’d controlled most of the drug trafficking throughout northern Mexico and even into the Caribbean. He also still had tentacles everywhere throughout the region. For her own safety, Marisol needed be aware of exactly what she was getting into with the case. “I’ll call you soon, okay? Love you.”
    “I love you too, Mama Cruz,” Vance called out.
    His mother giggled. “He’s just too adorable. Tell him I send a hug.”
    “Uh huh, will do. Bye.” He disconnected and shot Vance a bland look. “You’re pathetic, you know that?”
    Vance clapped him on the shoulder. “She sent me a hug, didn’t she?”
    Ethan couldn’t help his grudging grin. “Yeah.”
    DeLuca cleared his throat, bringing Ethan’s gaze to him. “Can I have a second?”
    “Yessir, of course.” He shared a look with Vance. “I’ll meet you outside.” When they were alone he faced DeLuca.
    “I need you to keep an eye on Schroder,” he said without any warning.
    Whoa. “In what way?”
    His commander gave a casual shrug. “Couple things have come up that we’re concerned about. Just want to be sure he’s taking care of himself. If he’s not, I need you to let me know.”
    Ethan frowned. “Wait, like, you want me to babysit him?” What the hell for? Doc had never done anything to warrant supervision. Sure, he was the newest guy to the squad and his social life with the ladies was getting a little out of control, but that was his personal biz and it never affected his performance at work. All the guys liked him, including Ethan.
    “No, just let me know if you notice anything off. Being placed on this security detail might not be easy for him.”
    Ethan had read the file on Taya Kostas and knew she had some kind of history with Schroder from over in A-stan. This was just too fucking strange though. He’d never heard of DeLuca asking any of them to spy on another teammate. “All right,” he said slowly.
    “I’m not anticipating a problem,” DeLuca added. “Just looking out for him.”
    “Sure.” Ethan watched his commander walk away. Well, hell. Now he was dying to know exactly what had happened between Doc and their principal.

 
     
     
Chapter Six
     
     
    When Ayman entered the apartment that night, Jaleel was waiting for him. His roommate sat up on the couch, muted the TV and looked over at him. “Have you heard the latest?” he asked in Arabic, eyes lit with excitement.
    Ayman nodded. While he was happy about the attacks, he’d since lost most of his initial excitement. Now that reality was sinking in, he felt almost numb inside. He hadn’t accomplished anything yet. His part in this had only just begun, and the consequences if he failed were too grim to think about.
    “I just came from a meeting.” He didn’t have to say aloud that it had been with his group from the mosque. “Got the call two hours ago, right after the story broke on the news.”
    Jaleel turned to face him squarely, his expression tense. “And? What did they say?”
    “They said taking three key witnesses is good, but if the Kostas woman is still free, then it’s not good enough.”
    Jaleel watched him remove the pistol he’d tucked into his waistband and take out the magazine, checking it out of habit. He was always armed, even at work. Darwish had helped turn him into an expert marksman, and Ayman had to be ready to protect himself from law enforcement that might come sniffing around.
    And from the men he worked for if they decided he was no longer of use to them.
    “Do they know where she is?” Jaleel asked.
    Ayman shook his head and opened the kitchen drawer that held extra ammo and the military-style knives he’d collected. He knew how to use those too. Close quarter battle skills were a