pictured but another man.
“Who’d we get the intel from?” Aidan asked.
“FBI and Italian government have been working together for years to capture Russo. They have someone inside his organization. I don’t know if it’s a snitch or one of their own people. However, they do believe this is credible intel.”
“Do they think Russo will be there?” Justin asked.
“Doubtful. Word is he was in the middle of some kind of medical procedure when Vaughn was taken. The FBI believes he’ll go to her in a few days, maybe a week.”
“Making our window of opportunity very small,” Justin said.
“Exactly.” Standing, Noah went to a screen displaying a map of Italy. “We’re going to make this as low-key and low tech as we can get. Our only priority is rescuing Taylor Vaughn. We’ll let the feds worry about going after Russo.”
He turned toward the screen. “Here are the three locations, all in separate parts of the country. We’ll land in Rome. Each team will go from there.”
He returned to the conference table and withdrew six folders. Sliding a folder toward each person, he said, “You’ll find as much as we could dig up about the locations on short notice. Once we touch down, we’ll have transportation, plus the supplies and weapons you’ll need.”
He leaned forward, taking in everyone’s gazes. “Questions?”
“Yeah. When’s this asshole going to get what’s coming to him?” Aidan asked. “Sounds like he’s been running everyone in circles for a long time.”
Noah glanced over at Sabrina, who gave a small nod and said, “Declan’s got him in his sights. Won’t be long now.”
Last year they’d learned that Sabrina’s husband, Declan Steele, worked for Eagle Defense Justice Enforcers, a secret government agency.
“I thought EDJE only went after terrorists,” Riley said.
“And those who help them. Russo is providing weapons and funds to at least a half-dozen small terror cells. They want him as badly as the FBI does.”
“Be interesting to see who gets him first.”
A small smile lifted Sabrina’s lips. “I may be slightly biased, but my money’s on my husband.”
Noah gave a quick nod. “Hope it’s soon. Bastard needs to be dealt with.” He looked around the table. “Get some shut-eye if you can. We’ve got another five hours of flight time.”
Riley waited for the other operatives to gather their folders and head back to their seats. As soon as she and Noah were relatively alone, she said in a low voice, “Noah, can I talk to you?”
“What’s up?”
“I just…” She took a breath and let the words gush out. “I think it’s time to try again.”
Concern turned his eyes darker, his mouth straight-lined to grim. “You’ve remembered something?”
If only it were that easy. Her mind had never given her what she needed the most. Many details of her horror were etched into her brain, never to be erased. But the things she’d needed to know—such as names, places—were missing. One of her greatest fears was that they weren’t even there.
“No, not really. I just think I’m ready to try again.”
“Very well. We can set up more hypnosis sessions.”
Years ago, she had tried hypnosis therapy, hoping to uncover what she had suppressed. It had done little good and only brought to the forefront the most awful things. The next step had been one she hadn’t been ready to attempt. Until now.
“I think I’d like to go further this time. Maybe try the drugs.”
The harsh frown on his face might have given others pause, but never Riley. She trusted Noah McCall implicitly. He had saved her life and her sanity.
“You’re sure about that?”
Sure? Of course she wasn’t. Being certain about something meant you were ready to deal with the consequences of a decision. What if the memory drugs brought out even more of the horror and nothing helpful?
She gave a little shrug. “I’m sure I need to try.”
“Then you know I’ll support your
“Who’d we get the intel from?” Aidan asked.
“FBI and Italian government have been working together for years to capture Russo. They have someone inside his organization. I don’t know if it’s a snitch or one of their own people. However, they do believe this is credible intel.”
“Do they think Russo will be there?” Justin asked.
“Doubtful. Word is he was in the middle of some kind of medical procedure when Vaughn was taken. The FBI believes he’ll go to her in a few days, maybe a week.”
“Making our window of opportunity very small,” Justin said.
“Exactly.” Standing, Noah went to a screen displaying a map of Italy. “We’re going to make this as low-key and low tech as we can get. Our only priority is rescuing Taylor Vaughn. We’ll let the feds worry about going after Russo.”
He turned toward the screen. “Here are the three locations, all in separate parts of the country. We’ll land in Rome. Each team will go from there.”
He returned to the conference table and withdrew six folders. Sliding a folder toward each person, he said, “You’ll find as much as we could dig up about the locations on short notice. Once we touch down, we’ll have transportation, plus the supplies and weapons you’ll need.”
He leaned forward, taking in everyone’s gazes. “Questions?”
“Yeah. When’s this asshole going to get what’s coming to him?” Aidan asked. “Sounds like he’s been running everyone in circles for a long time.”
Noah glanced over at Sabrina, who gave a small nod and said, “Declan’s got him in his sights. Won’t be long now.”
Last year they’d learned that Sabrina’s husband, Declan Steele, worked for Eagle Defense Justice Enforcers, a secret government agency.
“I thought EDJE only went after terrorists,” Riley said.
“And those who help them. Russo is providing weapons and funds to at least a half-dozen small terror cells. They want him as badly as the FBI does.”
“Be interesting to see who gets him first.”
A small smile lifted Sabrina’s lips. “I may be slightly biased, but my money’s on my husband.”
Noah gave a quick nod. “Hope it’s soon. Bastard needs to be dealt with.” He looked around the table. “Get some shut-eye if you can. We’ve got another five hours of flight time.”
Riley waited for the other operatives to gather their folders and head back to their seats. As soon as she and Noah were relatively alone, she said in a low voice, “Noah, can I talk to you?”
“What’s up?”
“I just…” She took a breath and let the words gush out. “I think it’s time to try again.”
Concern turned his eyes darker, his mouth straight-lined to grim. “You’ve remembered something?”
If only it were that easy. Her mind had never given her what she needed the most. Many details of her horror were etched into her brain, never to be erased. But the things she’d needed to know—such as names, places—were missing. One of her greatest fears was that they weren’t even there.
“No, not really. I just think I’m ready to try again.”
“Very well. We can set up more hypnosis sessions.”
Years ago, she had tried hypnosis therapy, hoping to uncover what she had suppressed. It had done little good and only brought to the forefront the most awful things. The next step had been one she hadn’t been ready to attempt. Until now.
“I think I’d like to go further this time. Maybe try the drugs.”
The harsh frown on his face might have given others pause, but never Riley. She trusted Noah McCall implicitly. He had saved her life and her sanity.
“You’re sure about that?”
Sure? Of course she wasn’t. Being certain about something meant you were ready to deal with the consequences of a decision. What if the memory drugs brought out even more of the horror and nothing helpful?
She gave a little shrug. “I’m sure I need to try.”
“Then you know I’ll support your
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