Free A SEAL to Save Her by Karen Anders Page B

He’s safe at Landstuhl. Another US Navy SEAL, Lieutenant Dexter Kaczewski, is also missing.” Austin recognized that name. He thought immediately of Amber. Her husband-to-be, Tristan, was in business with a Russell Kaczewski. Could these guys be related? He refocused on the SECNAV. “He was leading that team and he lost three men. After the dust settled, one of the dead men was identified as a member of a security force—” he looked down “—Outcast, a joint British and South African outfit out of the Virgin Islands, run by Carl Kruger. The dead mercenary’s name is Martin Carter and is so far our best clue there was something off with the SEALs’ op. Start there.”
    â€œSir, you think the SEALs were lured there?”
    â€œThey were extracting three marines who were all killed execution-style, then we have the senator’s missing security agent. After talking to the surviving SEALs, they all felt the op was compromised. Said it was as if the insurgents were waiting for them. The brass wants answers. That was a top-secret op.”
    This just got real. Three of his brothers had been executed to lure a SEAL team into an ambush. Yeah, this surfer boy was locked and loaded.
    â€œI’m sending you both in. Agent Gunn, your expertise is invaluable, and Agent Beck, you’re a pit bull when it comes to sussing out information. Find them and get me any information you can on this ambush. If there’s a leak, I want to know about it.”
    â€œSir, why aren’t we liaising with State?”
    â€œBecause, Agent Beck, her detail may be involved.”
    Holy crap!
    â€œWe’re inserting you into Kabul until the base is secured and an investigation can get under way. Track down Kruger and interview him. I’m sending you all that we’ve gathered on him and his company so far. Bring Senator Jones and Lieutenant Kaczewski home.”

Chapter 5
    Safid Darreh, Parwan Province, Afghanistan
    P iper stood frozen to the spot. This wasn’t a woman, and now she had no idea what she was supposed to do. If she made a mistake here, they would both be dead.
    The man waited and when she didn’t speak, he said something unintelligible. She started to back up when the man peered at her face, then his eyes widened and his voice got agitated. Before Piper could back up, he grabbed her arm.
    She fought him, her breathing ragged, adrenaline kicking her system into overdrive. She was so exhausted when she’d knocked; now it felt like she was infused with jet fuel.
    â€œYou are safe, American,” a soft voice said, and someone touched her arm. “Enough, Raffi. She is terrified.”
    Breathing around her hysteria, she backed against the wall, her heart hammering. “We mean you no harm,” the man, Raffi, said.
    â€œDexter,” she managed, breathing hard. “Please help him.”
    The woman’s eyes widened and she shot forward. “Dexter! Where is he?”
    â€œOutside the gate. He’s wounded. Please.”
    â€œRaffi, come. You stay.”
    Ripping off the burka, Piper sank down to the floor and leaned her head back, her breathing quieting.
    Moments later, Raffi came back with Dex slung across his shoulders, just as the sound of a helicopter flew overhead. Could that be their enemies? Did they have that kind of sophisticated equipment at their disposal?
    The woman snatched up Piper’s burka and hustled her behind them into a small room. She ran and closed the shutters as Raffi carefully set Dex down.
    He was so quiet and still, the blood bright against his clothes, and her stomach protested. She wanted to go to him, but the woman drew her aside.
    â€œWhat has happened? Who are you?”
    She glanced at Dex, but he was still out. He trusted this woman enough to bring her here. He’d saved her life and now she had to put her trust in him.
    â€œMy name is Piper Jones. I was visiting my brother, a SEAL at Bagram. One of