“All right, Cameron, we’ll talk to you soon.” Laura ended the call and Acton pointed at Tommy.

  “You know where our router is. Go kill it.”

  Tommy held up his phone. “I just sent the logs to Leroux through the encrypted network.” He turned off the phone and rose, heading for the closet where the router was located. Acton turned off his own phone as did Laura and Mai, then headed upstairs. He entered the master bedroom then opened the closet doors on the far wall, pushing aside the hangers, revealing a large weapons locker. He entered the code then pulled open the door, an impressive array of legal weapons revealed. He grabbed two Glocks each for him and his wife. They were trained, but Tommy and Mai weren’t and he didn’t want them carrying weapons until it was absolutely necessary. If it came down to it, the spares would be handed over—everyone deserved a chance to live. He fit his body armor in place and felt slightly safer. He grabbed three more sets, two AR-15s, and a shitload of mags for the weapons.

  If anyone came after his family, they would have a war on their hands.

  22 |

  Henwood Residence

  Fayetteville, North Carolina

  Sergeant Carl “Niner” Sung lay in the hammock, his arms wrapped around his first serious girlfriend in a long time, Angela Henwood, one hand gripping the back of her head as their lips locked, the other with a handful of ass. This was paradise, even if it was just the balcony of her apartment. He was Special Forces, a member of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta, or the Delta Force as the public liked to call them. Bravo Team was his family and he loved every one of his brothers. He wouldn’t hesitate to give his life to save any of them, and when they were together, whether on duty or off, he always made it a point to be the life of the party. When people were laughing, even if at his expense, they weren’t thinking of the dangers they were in, of the brothers they had lost.

  But there had always been a hole in his heart that could never be filled by just the Unit.

  And then he had met Angela, and now everything was different. What he had been craving, he now had. He had been the odd man out for so long. Dawson was now married. Red had been for as long as Niner had known him. Atlas had Vanessa and so many others had wives and girlfriends, but never him until now. He had finally found someone he just meshed with. She loved his sense of humor and had her own wicked straight-man routine that the two played off of even when they were alone.

  Bliss.

  Angela moaned. “You teaching it tricks?”

  “What?” He kept assaulting her mouth.

  “Either you’ve taught the little guy how to hum, or your phone’s ringing.”

  He groaned and rolled away when she grabbed him by the ass and drew him closer.

  “Just a few more rings.”

  He laughed and she let him go. He fished the phone out of his pocket, his eyes narrowing at who it was. He took the call. “Temple, how the hell are you, brother? I haven’t heard from you in a dog’s age.”

  “Hey, Niner, it’s been too long. Listen, do you know a guy named Cameron Leather?”

  “Yeah. He’s Professors Acton and Palmer’s security guy.”

  “Yes. Apparently, there’s a situation.”

  Niner rolled his eyes, indicating to Angela their fun was over. She pouted but climbed out of the hammock. “I’ll be in the bathroom with my toothbrush. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be joining me before I’m done.” She stepped through the sliding doors and into the apartment. Niner stared at her ass as it swayed back and forth, wondering just what the hell she was talking about.

  He suddenly remembered he was on the phone. “Situation?”

  “I just got a call from him. He’s looking for a small security detail for the professors at their home until a situation is worked out. I can’t tell you anything over the phone just in case comms are being monitored, but I understand with BD’s wedding and what happened with Sweets, you guys have the week off. I was wondering if you and Atlas were interested in doing a little freelance work, just babysitting for a couple of days. None of my contacts are available on such short notice. The pay is good.”

  Niner chewed his cheek. “I don’t take money to protect friends. Are they in real danger?”

  “From what I’ve been told they could be.”

  “From whom?”

  “Pretty much every hostile government on the planet.”

  Niner sighed. The professors had a knack for getting in trouble, but how the hell do you get every single government in the world after you when you’re sitting in Maryland? “I’ll tell you what, let me give Atlas a shout. If he’s up for it, we’ll take the job.”

  “And you’re serious, you don’t want to be paid?”

  “No. Donate it to charity. Just pay my medical bills.”

  Temple laughed. “I think you’re at greater risk of a beating from Atlas than anything else. Like I said, this should just be a babysitting job until Leather can get his own people in place. I just need people they can trust, and there’s nobody they trust more than you guys.”

  Niner rolled out of the hammock. “Okay, I’ll get back to you in a few. I have to check on my girlfriend. She said something about a toothbrush and me helping her if I knew what was good for me.”

  Temple chuckled, suggesting he was in on the joke that Niner wasn’t.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Electric toothbrush?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Think about it, buddy. Then call me back.”

  The call ended and Niner stood in the doorway.

  Then his eyebrows shot up, which was followed by a goofy smile.

  23 |

  Lot’s Shop

  Sodom

  1649 BC

  Lot sat at his worktable in the shop, staring at the list of names he had written down from memory. It was an impressive list, and he felt for the innocent its release would hurt. Husbands and wives, families would be destroyed by the revelation that their partner was taking part in such debauchery. The question now was how to use the list? He could release it publicly, posting it in the town square and various other places in the hopes that enough eyes would see it, that tongues would share it with the rest.

  But if someone saw him posting it, what would they do? These were powerful people. They might have him killed, and as for the list itself, wouldn’t people ask where it came from? Would Canaan make the connection that he had given those names to Idit as part of the commission?

  He had to disguise the source, but how? He stared at the list. None of these people would implicate themselves, yet if the list was complete, they would be the only ones who would know who had been there. He smirked. If he left a couple of names off the list, suspicion would be drawn to them, and they were all powerful enough to defend themselves and fight back, perhaps becoming the champions he needed.

  He scanned the list, picking one husband and one wife whose spouses weren’t also implicated. It meant they couldn’t turn to their respective partner for support without admitting what they had done. He leaned back, folding his arms with satisfaction. Posting the list wasn’t the solution. It was too risky. Making copies of the list with a letter that explained what it meant then delivering it to those who would be hurt most by it, and to the biggest gossips in the city, would ensure its spread and maximum effect while protecting him and his wife from any repercussions.

  There was a knock at the shop entrance. Lot hid the list in a drawer then returned to the front of the shop, having forgotten he had barred the door. He removed the heavy slab of wood then opened the door to find a messenger.

  “Are you the pottery merchant, Lot?”

  Lot bowed slightly. “I am.”

  The man handed him a folded piece of parchment. “A message from Gomorrah.”

  Lot’s eyebrow shot up. He couldn’t recall ever receiving a message from Gomorrah. He took the parchment, his curiosity having him forget his plotting from moments before.

  The messenger leaned in slightly. “Yours is my last message. It’s been a long day. Do you know where a man can have a good time?”

  Lot frowned at the lecherous look. It was clear what kind of good time this man was seeking. Lot grabbed the door. “This is Sodom. Look to your left, look to your right.” He closed the door and barred it once more, heading back to his worktable. He cracked the seal then unfolded the page, his heart racing at what he read. It was from a group that called themselves The Angels of God, a name that sounded blasphemous to him. They claimed to have heard of his efforts to save Sodom from its sinful ways, and were leading a similar campaign in Gomorrah. Two representatives would call on him after the Sabbath.

  He frowned. That was the day of the party, the day when he and his wife were to expose themselves to the debauchery this town’s elite called entertainment. The timing couldn’t be worse. They had to make their appearance at the party. They needed the commission. They needed that bonus. Yet these visitors, if they indeed were of like mind, could prove invaluable in his fight.

  He looked at the drawer where he had hidden the list. It was the key. Humiliating those involved could have a huge impact. He had much to think about and little time to come to a decision.

  The visitors would be arriving soon.

  24 |

  Acton/Palmer Residence, Overlook Village Gated Community

  St. Paul, Maryland

  Present Day

  Acton sat with the others, his knee hopping as he gripped his Glock resting on his leg, his finger on the trigger guard so he didn’t accidentally blow a hole in someone he loved. They were all a bundle of nerves, the conversation limited. Every sound from outside, every car engine, every dog bark had everyone flinching. Leather was sending someone, but they had no idea when that person could arrive. It could be any moment now. It could be hours from now. A thought had occurred to him earlier that had him terrified. What if whoever had attempted to find Tommy did know their phone numbers and had already been monitoring their lines? They would know the coded knock. He could open up that door and be greeted by a Chinese pistol aimed at his head. He hadn’t mentioned his concerns to the others. They were worried enough.

  The worst part of it was being completely shut off. Tommy had killed their Internet and Wi-Fi, all their devices were turned off, and their landline, which was VoIP through their Internet provider, was dead. If they could just make a call to find out what was going on, it could set all their minds at ease, and he was tempted to disobey Leather’s instructions.

  The doorbell rang and out of habit he reached for his phone to see the doorbell camera’s feed, then cursed as he rose. Laura reached out and grabbed his hand as she too stood.

  “They said they would knock, not ring the doorbell.”

  Acton tensed. She was right, but just because it wasn’t Leather’s people didn’t mean it was necessarily bad people. Blowing several holes through the door before seeing who it was wasn’t an option. For all he knew, it could be Milton. He groaned as he realized that’s exactly who it was. He had forgotten his friend had said he was coming over. “It’s probably Greg.”

  Laura closed her eyes briefly. “I forgot. Shit. Tell him to go away. It’s not safe.”

  The doorbell rang again and Acton headed down the hallway, his weapon at the ready. He stepped into a doorway and aimed his weapon at the front entrance. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me. Let me in.”

  Acton’s shoulders slumped in relief, and he was about to step back into the hallway when he paused. “Backstreet Boys or NSYNC?”

  “What?”

  “Backstreet Boys or NSYNC?”

  “To hell with that shit. Megadeth all the way.”

  Acton grinned. It was his friend all right, and he was alone. He disabled the alarm then unlocked the door, opening it a crack to confirm before he pulled it open all the way. “Get in, quick.”

  Milton gave him a look and stepped inside. Acton closed the door behind him, but not before peering up and down the street. He locked the door and reenabled the alarm.

  Milton noticed the Glock. “What the hell’s going on?” He held up his phone. “You know, I’ve been trying to reach you. None of your cellphones are working, neither is your home line. Everything’s going directly to voicemail. You’re lucky the security gate was open and I didn’t need the guard to call to let me through.”

  Acton led Milton to where the others were. “I’ll explain it all to you. We’re just back here in the pantry.”

  “Pantry?”

  “It’s the only room on the ground floor with no windows.”

  Milton eyed the gun again. “This is serious, isn’t it?”

  “It is. You should leave now.”

  “Like hell.”

  Acton chuckled. “I figured that’s what you would say. Just make sure you tell Laura I asked you to leave.”

  They stepped through the kitchen, the pantry door open. Laura stood in the doorway. “Greg, you shouldn’t be here.”

  Milton jerked a thumb at Acton. “He told me to leave, but I said no.” He leaned closer to Acton and whispered, “Told you I’ve got your back.” Milton took a seat, wincing, the man’s back still a problem since he had been shot years ago helping Acton escape the very friends he wished were here now. Acton sat beside Laura on one of the chairs brought in from the kitchen.

  “It’s my brother,” said Laura. “He might still be alive.”

  “Alive? How the hell could he still be alive? I thought he died on a dig in Jordan?”

  “So did we. But we—”

  Acton bolted upright as he finally twigged on something Milton had said. “Did you say the gate was open and there was no guard?”

  Milton nodded. “Yeah. Is that unusual?”

  “It should be unheard of.”

  Milton shrugged. “I’m sorry. I’ve only been here a few times at this time of night. Could he have just gone to the bathroom?”

  Acton stepped over to the breaker panel on the wall. “No, that’s why they work in pairs. Something’s wrong.”

  Laura rose. “You’re right.”

  Acton flicked the breakers, killing all the lights in the house. The battery back-up for the security system chirped.

  “What are we going to do?” asked Mai, her voice quavering with fear. “Should we leave?”

  Acton shook his head. “If they’ve breached the perimeter then they’re already here.”

  “Then why haven’t they tried to come in yet?”

  “They could be getting in position, trying to figure out how many we are, where we are.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and turned it on. “There’s no point in hiding now.”

  25 |

  Overlook Village Gated Community

  St. Paul, Maryland

  “T his doesn’t look right.”

  Kane had to agree with Sherrie’s assessment as they pulled up on the gated community where the professors now lived. He had always felt they needed better security because of their wealth and their history of being magnets for trouble, and was relieved to hear they had finally taken the plunge, though not for the reasons he would have chosen. They did it out of friendship for Hugh Reading, not their own safety. These were good people, and he was afraid his fears for their safety might be about to prove true. He came to a halt at the open gate.

  “Let’s check it out.” He stepped out. Fang and Sherrie covered him as he approached the guardhouse. He peered through the window and cursed, leaving the door untouched. “Two bodies,” he reported. “Sherrie, call it in.”

  “On it.” She fell back to the vehicle, calling Leroux so he could dispatch local law enforcement. Kane checked the area, not spotting anything else suspicious.

  “All right, let’s go. We don’t have any time to waste.”

  They all climbed back into their ride. Kane turned off the lights then followed the GPS instructions toward the professors’ street, all the while keeping his eyes peeled for anyone or anything suspicious.

  “Okay, they’re the next street over. You two get out now. Head to the rear. I’ll take the front.”

  Sherrie and Fang jumped out of the slowly moving SUV, gently shutting the doors behind them before cutting up along a hedge and out of sight. Kane made the turn onto the professors’ street, taking a moment to appreciate the audacious display of wealth. He never thought he’d see the day that Acton would live in such a place, and he was happy that the two of them were enjoying their wealth beyond just taking private jets around the world and staying at fine hotels.

  His eye turned to the cars on the street. There should be few, if any, all of these homes having long driveways, all occupied by even more audacious displays of wealth. Mercedes, Bentleys, and Ferraris, not necessarily assets, instead merely methods of flaunting one’s success to the neighbors. There were a few notorious British automobiles in some of the driveways proving money didn’t mean brains, though if they were merely meant as lawn ornaments instead of modes of transport, they did look good.

  He spotted a Chevy Tahoe parked just down from where the GPS indicated Acton’s home was located. It was completely out of place here, though it could be a friend visiting a neighbor or any other number of innocent reasons. He slowly pulled past, not seeing anyone inside, when gunfire erupted, his windshield splintering from the impacts. He ducked and hammered on the brakes before slamming it into reverse. He shoved the accelerator to the floor, backing out of the kill box as the gunfire continued.

  His expert ear counted three distinct weapons. Two assault rifles and a machine pistol. This was where Leroux’s team would come in handy, but this was an off-the-books domestic op. Kane and Sherrie weren’t authorized to operate on US soil and Fang certainly wasn’t. They were all technically here as civilians, which meant no satellite coverage, no Control in his ear, no backup on the way.

 

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