Mantis (K19 Security Solutions 4)

Dutch didn’t care what it was, as long as he, Razor, and Malin could get the hell out of there. Once they were back at Bagram, he and Special Agent Kilbourne were going to have a long damn talk about Sergei Orlov. Dutch intended to get to the bottom of who had paid him to hunt her down and why.

Striker didn’t seem to have any idea, and if anyone would know, he would.

“The helicopter will be here in ten,” Razor told them. “We’ll take the SUV back to Bagram.”

“This way,” he said to Malin, who looked at Razor.

“I’ll be right behind you,” Razor said, shooting Dutch a questioning look when she turned her back.

Dutch shrugged and followed her to the SUV.

“I’m not angry,” he said when he opened the door for her to climb in. “If you had anything to do with Safi taking me from the apartment, I know you didn’t have any choice.”

“I did.”

“What do you mean?”

“I had a choice.”

“We’ll discuss this later,” Dutch said when he saw Razor approach. “Get in,” he said, motioning to the back passenger door.

“Something’s up,” Razor said after Dutch closed the door behind her. “Why don’t you ride in the back with her?”

“Roger that,” said Dutch, walking to the other side of the vehicle while Razor stood where he was.

“We’re going straight to the airfield,” Razor said when they arrived at Bagram, glancing over the seat at Dutch. “Onyx will arrange for transport.”

Dutch had no idea where he and Malin were going, but wherever it was, Razor didn’t want her to know either.

Chapter 34

Mantis and Alegria

“You have no idea where he is?” Alegria asked.

Mantis shook his head. “He and Kilbourne left Bagram before we did. All I know is that Onyx was responsible for their transport and that the agency provided another pilot to travel with them.”

When Doc gave the word that Alegria’s father could be discharged, they were in the air less than two hours later, along with the rest of the K19 crew—minus Striker, Ranger, and Diesel. No one talked about what went down with Ghafor. No one talked about what went down with Dutch and Malin. When they landed at Logan, Mantis asked Doc about Dutch right before they got off the plane.

“There’s nothing I can tell you,” Doc answered, grasping Mantis’ shoulder. “You and Alegria take some time. When you’re ready to talk about the K19 partnership, let me know.”

“Roger that,” he said, and followed Alegria and her father off the plane and into the SUV waiting for them on the tarmac.

“I’ve made arrangements for an apartment for you near the hospital so you can spend more time with your maman,” Pierre said to Alegria.

“Would it be better if we went to a hotel for tonight, Papa?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No, your mother is there now.”

Alegria rested her head on Mantis’ shoulder. “Will you stay?” she whispered.

“As long as you’re in Boston, that’s where I’ll be too,” he answered, kissing her forehead.

“I’ll take your bag, you go see your mother,” Mantis told Alegria when Pierre handed him the key card for the second apartment.

“I’ll help and join you shortly,” Pierre offered.

Mantis was about to tell him he could handle it, but when their eyes met, he realized Pierre wanted to talk to him more than help him.