Catalyst (Flashpoint Book 2) by Grant Rachel

Author:Grant, Rachel [Grant, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781944571115
Publisher: Janus Publishing
Published: 2017-11-21T05:00:00+00:00

Bastian stood on the flight deck in clean ACUs and green beret, waiting for the key parties to assemble for the press conference. He hated this kind of event and wished his team was here to suffer with him, but SOCOM had wanted him to fly solo on this.

The senator stepped out on the flight deck with his entourage. The traveling press corps snapped photos of the man in a completely unnecessary flight suit, considering he’d arrived on a helicopter and would be leaving the same way.

These guys loved to play dress up. The sailor nearest to Bastian whispered, “That asshole avoided Vietnam. Tennis elbow or similar bullshit. It only flared up when it was exam time.”

“Prick,” Bastian muttered. The fact that Jackson was a creeper who’d groped Brie when she was fifteen made him want to deck the man, but that would be a fast ticket to the brig.

The senator waved and grinned at the press, then turned to the sailors and airmen who’d been assembled for this ceremony. Bastian was with a group of soldiers and sailors who would stand behind the senator as he faced the press and crew. Bastian was part of the backdrop to make Senator Jackson look important.

Standing several feet to Bastian’s right was Captain Shaw, USS Dahlgren’s commanding officer, who shook the senator’s hand. Next to him was Rear Admiral Howard, the commander of the carrier’s strike group.

Smiles were stiff and perfunctory on all but Senator Jackson, who bore a wide grin. He looked like a kid on a field trip.

Senators were rarely honored with ceremonies like this. Usually they made stealthy, lower-cost trips to military bases in Afghanistan. Aircraft carriers were reserved for cabinet members and presidents—the big and sometimes regrettable mission accomplished-type ceremonies.

But this guy was tight with Brie’s father and was taking advantage of that for political pomp. Barring big breaking news, this feel-good story of a USAID worker/American princess being rescued by Special Forces would lead the news at home tonight.

If SOCOM had their way, the op to rescue Brie would have been buried without headlines, but thanks to the senator’s blabbing to the Prime family and Jeffery Prime Jr.’s leak to the media, here they were. Seeing an opportunity for positive PR, the Pentagon had caved to the senator’s request for the dog-and-pony show.

If Jackson weren’t on the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, none of this would be happening, because the man wouldn’t have been privy to the secret op to begin with. Bastian wondered if Jackson had been aiming for this PR show when he leaked the details to the Primes.

Heads turned, and the moment everyone—even, frankly, Bastian—had been waiting for arrived. Brie stepped onto the deck, leaning on her cane and accompanied by several members of the medical team.

Her appearance triggered a mix of lust and regret. Gone was his Brie. In her place was the polished, wealthy woman he’d met ten years ago. The years had added maturity, which only deepened her beauty. She exuded class and poise.

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