Taking Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

this discussion tonight?”
    She clutched the sheet tighter around her breasts, feeling inexplicably vulnerable instead of victorious. “Tonight,” she agreed, sounding way too breathless and way too pleased.
    Yes, she was pleased he’d started to trust her. Yes, she was pleased he wanted to see her again. It was what she’d planned, but planning suddenly took a backseat to anticipation and arousal as he leaned into her, knotted a hand in her hair, and pulled her toward him for a long, searing kiss.
    â€œWhat you do to me,” he murmured. After a deep, searching look, he stood and walked to the door. “I’m gone. While I still have the upper hand over my better judgment. Oh, and about that ride-along?” He swung open the door and looked back over his shoulder. “It’s not going to happen. Never. End of discussion.” He left, shutting the door firmly behind him.
    She lay back down and stared at the ceiling, torn between self-disgust and a humming physical arousal. She’d done what she’d set out to do. She’d made contact. She’d successfully engaged her target. She’d never really expected him to agree to let her go on a ride-along. She only suggested that to cement her cover—the eager journalist, willing to do anything to get her story.
    So, yes. Everything was going as planned.
    Everything but this disconcerting skip in her heartbeat that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with him as a man, not an assignment.
    Ashamed suddenly and determined to move past these unexpected feelings of exposure, she slipped out of bed. After making certain that he was out of the hall and on his way, she dug into the wardrobe and carefully removed a loosened board from the wardrobe’s base. She pulled out the SAT phone she’d hidden there and punched in a number only she had access to.
    â€œThe RFID tag is planted,” she told her unit commander when he answered. “If he meets with the target, we’ll know exactly where they are.”
    â€œWe’re already receiving a signal. Good work. And you, Talia?” he asked after a telling pause. “You are all right?”
    His concern rang hollow. He’d asked her to prostitute herself for this mission if necessary, something he’d never asked of her before. And he’d known she would, no matter what it cost her. He’d known she would do it to get retribution for those who had been murdered.
    â€œI’m fine. I’ll notify you when I’m certain he is en route to the target. It may be several days, but I will know when he makes his next move.”
    â€œYou’ve done well. We don’t undervalue the sacrifice you have made,” he added quietly.
    She closed her eyes, reminded herself why she was here.
    â€œIn the meantime, the tracker alone may not be enough to accomplish the mission. Keep your eyes and ears open for other leads.”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œBe careful, but remember, we’re counting on you.” He disconnected.
    She stayed on her knees, stared at the phone a moment longer, then tucked it back into its hiding place. Many people were counting on her. Her country was counting on her. And no matter what transpired, no matter what she had to do to complete her mission, she would not let them down.
    She was Mossad, a member of the Israeli Special Forces. She must follow orders. There was no choice. She could not let them down.

5

    Bobby fished his battle-worn jack of spades from his breast pocket, kissed it for luck, and tucked it away before he climbed into the Jeep’s shotgun seat and they headed out on patrol.
    He’d carried the card since the One-Eyed Jacks unit had been formed all those years ago. All the guys had. Now all but three of them were dead. He had no idea where Brown and Cooper hung their hats these days. Didn’t care. Once they’d been best friends. Pretty boy Cooper. Mike Primetime Brown.