CHAPTER ONE
Ace sat in the war room in the team’s building on base, surrounded by his team, as they listened intently to their Commander, Derek Connors, lay out the details of their latest mission.
Maps, photos, and intelligence reports were splayed across the center table, each telling a part of the story of their next target. But Ace’s mind, while focused on the mission ahead, couldn’t entirely shake thoughts of Alex, his wife, due to give birth in just two and a half weeks.
“Alright, listen up,” Derek’s deep voice commanded the room’s attention. “Now, I know this isn’t the best time for the shit to hit the fan. However, this is what we all signed up for.”
Derek pulled up another map on his laptop that projected onto the screen at the front of the room. As soon as Ace saw the map, he sucked in a deep breath.
“You will all be heading to Nikolskoye in Kamchatka, Kria, which is located on Bering Island. It is going to be cold, and you are going to feel it.
“Your target is Kirill Sokolov,” Derek continued, “one of Russia’s top Spetsnaz commanders. He’s been confirmed as the lead in the recent attempted assassination of three of our senators in the Middle East. We’re talking about men who were there to negotiate a peace treaty—men who were unarmed and there on diplomatic business.”
Ace felt a surge of anger. Everyone around the world had heard about the attempted assassination. Even though the threesenators involved were unharmed, several others in their convoy weren’t so lucky and suffered injuries.
It was never confirmed who was behind the assassination plot, though there were several groups that the Unites States had their eyes on, and the Russians were one of them.
Ace gripped the edge of the table a little tighter. Kirill Sokolov had the reputation of being a mean son of a bitch, who had no morals. Rumor around the special forces community says that the man killed his own family. However, it seems the man has turned into a coward if he had to run to the coldest place on the planet to hide.
Going after Sokolov wasn’t just a mission; it was personal, especially when innocent lives were involved.
“As you all are well aware, the Spetsnaz are the Russian equivalent to our SEALs and Delta Force. They’re tough, trained, and don’t leave survivors if they can help it. But this time, Sokolov is the one marked for neutralization.” Derek walked to the front of the room and stood by the screen. He lifted his hand, his finger resting on a spot on the map that sat just outside of the city Nikolskoye. “Intel says he and a few of his team members are holed up in a building with this compound. Most of the compound is vacant. The few people who live nearby are civilians. As far as we know, they are innocent. That being said, that isn’t a guaranteed fact. Keep your eyes and ears open. If everything’s accurate, it should be a quick in-and-out. But we need to be sharp and fast and leave no room for error. Remember, we will be in their backyard. A territory they are familiar with. Any questions so far before we move on?”
The room fell into a tense silence before Frost spoke up.
“Does Intel indicate how many men are with Sokolov?”
Derek nodded. “Sources say there are three in addition to Sokolov. And I’m quite sure that they are armed to the teeth, andthat it why this needs to be a shock and awe. You guys get in there and then get out.”
“Where will extraction take place?” Ace asked, knowing that if those civilians were not friendly, things could go south very fast, and they would need a quick out.
Derek pointed to an area that looked far from where the Russians were.
“This will be the infiltration and the exfiltration point. There will be a helo on standby.”
“When do we head out?” Dino asked, leaning back in his chair.
“You fly out tonight. Report back here at twenty-three hundred.”
Derek glanced at Ace, his gaze steady and understanding. Derek knew exactly what was going through Ace’s head. After all, Derek was Alex’s adoptive father. Ace didn’t have to say a word for Derek to know the inner battle he was facing.
Derek turned his gaze to the others.
“You all are dismissed. I’ll see you later tonight.”
As Ace stood up, Derek called out.
“Ace, can I have a moment, please?”
Derek walked over, and half sat, half leaned against the table. He crossed his arms and held an understanding expression.
“Ace,” Derek said, his voice softer now, “I know that the timing of this mission is the worst. Believe me, I tried like hell to get another team moved into the operation, but my hands are tied. When the President asks for the best, I have to deliver.”
“I know the job comes first,” Ace began, his voice low and steady, though his chest felt tight. “It always has. But this time,” he paused for a minute before continuing. “Leaving feels different. I know Alex is more than capable of taking care of herself. But…” He stopped, dragging a hand through his short hair, unable to finish the thought without feeling like he wasfailing her. Giving birth to their child shouldn’t be something she had to endure by herself. He should be there with her.
Derek’s gaze softened, though his tone remained firm. “Ace, I understand more than you think. Alex is my daughter. I’ve seen her face tougher challenges than most men I’ve commanded. She’s strong. But she’s not alone, son. She’s got one of the best support systems that this community has. I mean, she’s got a tribe around her.”
Ace nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I know she’s tough. Hell, that’s a trait of hers that I admire and one of the many reasons that I fell in love with her. It’s just, what if something happens while I’m gone? What if I’m not there, and she goes into labor early?”
