MeteorOnAMoonlessNight: Without Wings Chapter Five

Once again, Bella’s gun was an extension of her hand. Her ribs ached with the repetitive training exercises, and yet she worried none of it would be enough. But, for now, the weapon in her hand gave her a sense of control. The center of the target now bore innumerable holes from where she’d shot it. Though sweat threatened to drip into her eyes, she forced herself not to focus on the inevitable, instead emptying her last clip at the body-shaped form printed on paper several hundred yards away from where she stood.

They were leaving before the morning. Commander Namron had declared them fit for duty, but more than that, time was up. If they wanted to save Quinn and the rest of his team, they had to move out now. According to Holden, the latest satellite images showed a young boy sneaking in and out of a known Taliban prison compound. The nearest military installation would soon attempt to intercept the child and ask him questions. Bella intended to be there when that happened.

Before the sun rose the next day, the group of ragtag mercenaries would board a cargo helicopter bound for Afghanistan, with a pit stop in France. Finally, pausing to wipe her brow with her sleeve, Bella turned to watch the others practice. Were they ready? It sure seemed so. Were they equipped to complete their mission successfully?

That was the big question, wasn't it?

The one that burned her lungs, choked her heart, and threatened to shut down all her rational thoughts.

If Edward couldn't even answer that question, then she knew they were in for a struggle, though she refused to think about the consequences of failure. Refused to contemplate her son’s fate if they couldn't find him and extract him from the pits of hell he’d found himself in.

“Someone’s using the target to release their anger,” she heard behind her.

Glancing over her shoulder, she found Tito Gonzalez watching her. He was in charge of communications and anything computer related, so he and Dara had spent plenty of time together. Dara had said he was cordial, if standoffish, but that hadn't been Bella’s experience.

Narrowing her eyes in a glare, she said, “My son’s life is on the line, so what do you expect?”

“We’ll all feel safer over there knowing we have you on our side.”

She scoffed. “I’m not the one in charge, so I don’t know why you would feel that way.” Turning back to the range, Bella pushed the button to bring the target closer in front of her.

Tito stepped forward. “Maybe not, but just look at that control. So tight,” he murmured.

Bristling at his nearness, Bella took a deliberate step back. “Jasper is our sniper, not me. But, yes, I can shoot a man in the fucking face from a good damn distance.” Looking dead in his eyes, she said, “Or point blank, if need be.”

Instead of catching the hint, he chuckled low in his throat. Just as he reached out as though to touch her hair, Edward’s voice whipped in their direction.

“How’s it going, Bella?”

Perhaps Tito wouldn't understand the words were merely a formality. Not truly knowing either of them, he probably didn't hear the underlying tone of fuck with my wife, fuck with me. But Bella heard it loud and clear.

“Tito was complimenting me on my accuracy,” she said with a casualty she didn't feel.

Placing his body between Tito and his wife, Edward snagged the bottom edge of the target to hold it closer. “Well done, angel.”

“Thank you.” Bella stood on her toes to accept Edward’s kiss.

Walking away, Tito sang under his breath, “If I swore you were an angel, would you treat me like the devil tonight?”

“I don't like him,” Edward said.

Keeping an eye on him until he disappeared out of sight, Bella replied, “Frankly, I don't like any of them.”

“They’re our only lifeline, unfortunately.”

“Which is why I try to let it go.” Bella cleared her gun and set it aside. “Though I did technically threaten to shoot him in the face point blank.”

“I wouldn't stop you, love.” Edward gathered her close, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Ready for what’s next?”

“Not even a little bit, and that terrifies me.”

“I know what you mean.”

But they had to leave, so they made sure their stuff was packed and video called their girls to check in on them. Cat’s most recent exams had been successful; she was still with Justin, who appeared to be scared of Bella all those years later. Maeve was happily single, and eagerly gave them an update on Angela and Ben. They’d ended up with a surprise baby later in life; with their youngest turning nineteen, Angela had almost wept over the idea of another baby, but Ben volunteering to stay with little Asher showed her how good it could be. It meant Ben wasn't able to join them in Afghanistan, but that was fine with everyone. After all, Dara was able to step in on the computers without Ben having to risk his life. Maeve was enjoying herself as a young adult living alone, and though Bella would always worry about her, she knew they’d taught their children well.

After talking to the girls for more than an hour, Bella and Edward sat on the loveseat in their room, trying to relax enough to fall asleep.

“Telling myself to sleep because I don’t know when I’ll get another chance for a full night’s rest isn’t working,” Edward commented.

Bella clasped his hand tighter in hers. “I know.”

“I didn't think we’d make it through this month when it first started.” Rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand, he continued. “Antsy to leave, desperate to hold my son—or just to set eyes on him—and doubting my own abilities, have all led to this moment.”

“This is what you were born to do. Trusting that has kept me somewhat sane.”

“I’m a fucking predator, Bella. Always have been, despite trying desperately to be something else. Someone else.”

“You finally have the chance to prey on the worst of the worst. Whatever they’re doing over there, whoever needed the CIA to step in, it was for a reason. And you’re the answer to that need.”

He shifted in his chair to face her. “Then I suppose I better make this time count. I have no choice but to burn this motherfucker to the ground. If I’m tackling the godforsaken Taliban, then I need more than loyal men at my back. I need the devil himself, and you know how goddamn hard I tried to bury that side of me so deep I’d never see it again.”

God, all she had to do was think of all the times she’d compared him to the devil to realize what he was saying was true. From the first time she understood what he’d become, to the time he left her in Forks alone, to the first time she saw him in action, it all made her see him as something other. Unfeeling, able to lock his humanity in a dingy, rickety cage in the basement, rattling the bars to be set free . . . fucking terrifyingly unemotional. Unyielding.

Feeling her heart pick up its pace, she lifted her gaze to meet his. “Resurrect it.”

At her words, he nodded, then stood and urged her to lie with him on the bed. No more words or actions would pass between them in the few stingy hours remaining before departure.

When it came time to load up, they each rose without having a minute’s sleep. Bella hoped she could earn a few hours on the helo, but there were no more guarantees once they left—about anything.

Dara and Seamus greeted them at the helicopter pad, their bags surrounding them on the ground. Jasper and Emmett arrived next, helping to load the luggage. Jake and Holden dragged their asses out right before the official mercenaries joined them.

Bella had grown used to the commander’s gruff personality, and she tolerated Paul and Danny. She hadn't spent much time with Stephen Miller, who had a baby face and was in charge of transpo. He’d take them over in the bird and would secure further transportation for them when they made it overseas. There was this one guy, Hollywood, who was in charge of explosives, who she’d found to be pretty funny with a larger-than-life attitude the few times they’d interacted.

But Nigel was still a thorn in her side, showing no emotion whatsoever—unless it was disdain. He had no sympathy for them, didn't care what the mission was or that it was so personal for them. He didn't give a rat’s ass if they followed through on their goal, as long as he got paid. In a way, he was someone she could understand. After all, Bella had spent enough years in the mafia to know men like him were not unique.

That left Tito, and he was another story altogether. He’d ignored all rebuffs, subtle and pointed, and continued trying to ingratiate himself with Bella. Since he was less flirty and more businesslike with Dara, it couldn't be called a tragic personality flaw. No, it was obvious he’d set his sights on someone else’s wife, and didn't care that Edward was right fucking there by her side.

As Tito walked up to the group, he slung an arm around Bella’s shoulders. She heard Emmett mutter, “Dude,” from behind them, and she shoved his arm off her.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she snapped right in his face.

“Just trying to say good morning,” he replied without a flinch. Instead, he grinned at her consternation.

“Well, don't.”

Stephen called to him from inside the helo. “Gonzalez, give us a hand.”

Hanging back, Bella waited for James and Edward to finish loading up the cargo in the belly. Nothing could entice her to board without him at that point. When they climbed inside together, she sat resting against him, and he automatically curled his arm around her. As the noise of the rotors drowned out anything they might have wanted to say, she closed her eyes and tried to breathe deeply. It was a long flight.

They made it to France without complication, and Holden escorted them to the matte black SUVs waiting for them on the tarmac. No one in that country knew who they were, but it was better to be prepared, regardless. They would spend a day, two at most, reviewing the latest intelligence and resting. Their plans had to change with any and all new information, so they would lock down the newest rescue strategy.

Truthfully, all Bella wanted to do was make the final stretch and get it over with, but that would be foolish. It was difficult to be that much closer to her child and not have the chance to go to him immediately. Despite her head telling her what the smart decision was, she had to rub her heart as it clenched.

The seaside town of Bonifacio was breathtaking. Hiding away in a white stone villa with a red tile roof might just be the balm to their souls, if only briefly. Already, Bella found her limbs loosening, her breathing coming more easily as she stepped out of the vehicle onto the cobblestone courtyard.

“I could get used to this,” Jasper commented, shading his eyes and looking up.

“Might be time to move,” Emmett agreed.

“Okay, fookers, let’s focus here.” Seamus slammed the car door behind him and marched up the steps to the massive double doors. “We’re not on holiday.”

“Pity,” Tito drawled as he came up the steps. “I could use a few bikini-clad women in my life.”

Rolling her eyes, Bella switched her spot so she wasn't walking as close to him. “Let’s go inside.”

Thankfully, the house boasted plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, a huge kitchen, and the most beautiful veranda Bella had ever seen. Edward came up behind her as she leaned on the glass railing overlooking the water, and for one moment in time, she was at peace. The Mediterranean Sea spread out in front of them, endless cerulean and cloudless skies. She sighed and turned into his arms, burying her face in his chest.

His hold on her tightened, and she wept.