Read Online Bare Nerve by Katherine Garbera - Free Book Online Page B

her desk and in control of the mission as she tracked various flights and coordinated ground transportation for them.
    He was impressed by the way she could compartmentalize and focus on the job when just a moment ago he had been concentrating on kissing her. He wanted her mouth under his. Wanted to learn the taste of her so that when she was gone, he’d always be able to recall her flavor.
    He shook his head and pushed Anna out of his mind. Despite the fact that Kirk had been out of order with his comments, Jack realized the other man had a point. His men weren’t used to working closely with other teams.
    Trust had been hard-earned among his guys, and his drooling over a woman on the other team wasn’t going to send the right message.
    “We good?” he asked Kirk as he took a seat next to the other man.
    “Yeah. I think we are.”
    Hamm cleared his throat. “They want to use the existing trail rail from Algiers into the wilderness area where Andreev’s base camp is located.”
    “What are the options?”
    “The train is too public, and after the string of bombings in that area, it is heavily policed now. Getting off when we want to and where we want to will be an issue. I’m working one of my contacts in Algiers to see if we can get two Humvees. It’s hard enough to procure one,” Hamm said.
    “I know. But you’re the man for the job.”
    “That’s what she said,” Hamm said with a quick grin.
    “Indeed,” Jack said.
    When Hamm left, Jack turned to Kirk. “Once we’re on the ground, I want you to use your contacts to set up a buy. Get as close to Andreev as you can.”
    Kirk nodded. “It’s been a few years since I’ve been in that business, but I’ll do my best.”
    “That’s all I ask. We need to play this one close to the chest. I want you in radio contact every six hours.”
    “Do you want me to stay with him once I find him or take him out?”
    “Don’t take him out. We need to ask a few questions. Liberty Investigations wants to bring him in alive,” Jack said. Sam Liberty had been very clear that they needed Andreev alive to find out how far-reaching his network was.
    “Well, that’s what Liberty wants. What do we want?”
    Jack gave Kirk the savage smile he was famous for. “We want Andreev out of business. But we can’t go rogue unless there’s no other alternative.”
    “Roger that. I’ll see if I can meet some of my contacts in Morocco. If I disappear…”
    “I know how to get in touch with you if I need you. Be safe, Kirk. I’m not going to lose another team member to Andreev.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m not ready to get out of the game yet.”
     
    When they landed at a private landing strip just to the west of Algiers, Anna had a moment’s pause as she stepped out into the February afternoon. Maybe it was the angle of the sun, but for a moment she was eleven years old again and seeing the White City for the first time. She paused on the stairs of the gangway.
    “What’s the matter?” Charity asked, pulling her Glock and scanning the area.
    “Nothing. Just a bit of déjà vu.”
    “You have been here before,” Charity said. “Are you going to be okay?”
    “Yes,” she said and walked down to the end of the gangplank. There were two Humvees waiting. There was also a small group of men. Two of them held machine guns and were clearly militia. A third man was dressed in Western garb—a very nice Armani suit, unless she missed her guess.
    Charity and Justine closed in on either side of her. The Savage team closed ranks on the women, and Anna was surprised to find herself staring at Jack’s back as they approached the Algerian official.
    “Welcome to Algiers. I am Yazid Zerhouni with the immigration office,” Yazid said in Arabic.
    For Anna, Arabic was familiar, but she knew Justine didn’t speak the language, so she quietly translated what was being said.
    Jack obviously spoke Arabic. He grabbed Yazid’s forearm in greeting. “Thank you for welcoming us. Sam