What's at Steak

What's at Steak
Jennifer 

Everyone had started to get to work, studying the equipment, monitoring screens, looking at maps for blind spots and choke points. I was trying to sort my head out, it had taken a lot to relive my past like that, and I guess I still felt a little shaken.  
In business, I had become very good at reading people. It was a practiced skill to watch carefully for any changes in demeanour, any slight tell that gave away dishonesty, deception or betrayal.  
As I had spoken, I had watched them all carefully, playing back every twitch, every blink in my head. They had listened, and all I saw was rage. Rage at the injustices to me and Cassidy maybe but mostly rage that they had to hold back from going in there, guns blazing.  
They were trained soldiers, they could take out these men without breaking a sweat, it is what they were trained to do. We can’t do that though. We start a war so openly and suddenly everyone will turn against us, and we will lose all element of surprise, we would be overwhelmed.  
“Come with me.” Travis said from my side, and I almost jumped at the sudden interruption to my thoughts. I got up and followed him as he led me out of the cottage and towards a little outbuilding at the edge of the property, Kevin followed closely behind us.  
The stone building was small, probably an old barn for a milk cow or maybe a farm hand would have stayed in the single room. Its dirt floors were about the cleanest part of it now but as we creaked open the old wooden door, the cobwebs were the last thing on my mind.  
There, tied to a chair in the middle of the room, head bowed and unmoving, was a man. 
The hood over his head didn’t allow me to see any of his features but the combat boots and military style clothing told me what I needed to know. “Our assassin.” I said in more of a statement than a question.  
Travis gave me a brief nod, “We brought him in this morning after we caught him trying to sneak a C4 onto the back wall of the main stables. He refuses to tell us what his plans were beyond that though.”  
“Is he alive? Or can I still kill him?” I seethed through my teeth. At that, the hooded head rose, and a sharp laughter rang out. “Oh Claire, there you are. Tell me, how is that little dog of yours today, Maya, I think you called it?” Even his voice sounded evil as panic gripped my heart.  
My eyes grew wide; I swung my fist towards his face and his head snapped to the side as it made impact before flopping down again. I didn’t even bother checking if he was still alive of not as I hopped out of there as quickly as I could and headed for the house.  
I stepped forwards without thinking and pain shot through my leg, I almost collapsed to the ground, but Kevin and Travis were right there. “Get on.” Kevin said as he kneeled in front of me, showing me his back.  
“I can carry you princess style if you would prefer?” He added when I hesitated for a moment. Realizing what he was saying, I let go of Travis who was still holding me up and wrapped my arms around Kevins neck so he could carry me on his back to the house.  
I heard the ‘thunk’ of the bolt being put back on the door behind me by Travis as Kevin started running with me. I removed an arm from his neck as we approached the door, and he slowed enough for me to reach into my pocket and pull out my keys.  
I handed them to him, and we rushed in, Travis, who was close behind us, immediately dropped my crutches, pulled out his gun and started doing a sweep. Kevin followed until we got to the living room where he carefully lowered me onto the couch once they were sure it was clear.  
“Stay here, we will look for her.” He said as he pulled out his own firearm. “Be careful, she will be scared, and she has a fear of men. Travis nodded and put a finger to an earpiece I hadn’t noticed before.  
“Kiera, can you come to the house, Maya is missing, and Jennifer says she has a fear of men. Bring Valkyrie too if she is awake.” He instructed. “They are on their way, I will begin the search but if we find her, we won’t approach her until we report back to you.” He reassured me, waiting for a nod from me before proceeding.  
“There are twelve bedrooms, the one on the far right is mine, it’s the most likely place she would go.” I explained. Travis gave a nod and headed off whilst Kevin stayed close to me, opening doors and scanning nearby rooms.  
Before long there was a knock at the door and Kevin went to answer, Kiera and Val walked in, giving Kevin a slight nod. “Travis started on the bedrooms upstairs, Val, if you join him up there, Kiera and I will stay with Jennifer and search the rooms down here.” He instructed the two women who immediately moved to follow the orders.  
I admired how they worked together, no arguments or battles for ego. Someone just takes charge of the situation, and they work together seamlessly to get the job done. What I wouldn’t do to have that kind of thinking in the office.  
No bitchy remarks or complaining about coworkers stealing staplers or snitching when someone takes an extra minute for a coffee break. I sighed to myself, it feels like it has been a lifetime since those were my biggest issues in a day but in reality, it has only been a few weeks.  
As I waited and heard nothing from the team in the house, I messaged Jackson. ‘Jax, Maya is missing. Security team searching the house just now. I need you to bring in Miss Holy, no saddle, just a rug.’  
No way was I going to be left behind if my baby way out there somewhere! The Buggy would be too loud, and Miss Holy would be able to go anywhere on the property if needed. Let them try and stop me.