“So what’s the move?”
“Wimberley’s going to handle the plant, but we need to take down the street team grabbing these kids, see if that actually cripples the operation before going in. We can hit multiple places at once, and Wimberley is going to spare a few bodies for us.” Turning to Javier, Charlie asks, “What do you recommend?”
“I’d need to look at the colonias and make a plan. What kind of time frame do we have?”
“Wimberley wants to see a downturn in their profits by the end of the quarter, so the faster we can get in and fuck things up, the better. Is it too much to hope for this weekend?”
Javier scrubs his beard, thinking for a few moments. “I think we can do it. I assume you have intel on where they’re keeping the kids they’ve taken?”
“Yes. I’d like Nacho, Bram, and Ant to go with me into the warehouse while you’ll go with Erik, Anders, and some of the Wimberley folks into the individual residences.”
Ant lights up but shrinks back when he sees Bram’s disapproving face. Before I can tell Bram to back off, he asks, “Why aren’t we bringing Levy?”
Huh. Not where I thought that was going to go.
I answer for Charlie. “I’m doing way better with my reaction to blood, but I’d be a liability if things got hairy.”
Shaking his head, Charlie says, “That’s partially true, but I also think we need to go in with a smaller team.”
“Me going in with Nacho could also be considered a liability,” Bram reasons.
He did get a little trigger-happy the last time Nacho was in a dangerous position. Charlie tilts his head side to side, considering.
“Do you anticipate a lot of violence at the warehouse?” Bram asks
“No. According to our intelligence, there’s only two guards, easily subdued.”
“Then it sounds like the liability is minimal, and I know Levy can handle it. The only way he can work through this is to work through it.”
Bram isn’t one to show his emotions often, but I know he trusts me, and this show of faith in me means the world.
Charlie looks between us and nods. “Okay then. Levy, if you’re willing to go in, we’ll put you on the team instead of Bram.”
“I’m your guy,” I say with only slightly more confidence than I feel.
That settled, Ant grins broadly. “So…you’re actually letting me in on an op?”
Charlie’s demeanor is serious despite the tiny bit of pride in his eyes. “Your job will be to help me secure the building, keep Nacho and Levy safe, and keep an eye out for trouble.”
Ant’s smile could power a city, and I’m a little nervous when he rubs his hands together and looks up at Erik.
“Okay, well,Charliewants me to go, but how doyoufeel about it?” he asks, squaring up to him as he crosses his arms.
Erik pulls his ponytail around to the front, twisting it in his fingers.
“I worry,” he finally says. Ant sags a little, but Erik holds up his hand. “I do agree with Charlie though. According to the intelligence, this is more of a dorm-room setup and doesn’t have a lot of security. A guard outside, a guard inside, and that’s it. It’s a good test of your abilities.”
“Wow. I bet that hurt to say,” Ant tosses back, smacking the big guy’s shoulder.
“Excruciating.”
Wiggling his butt, Ant pumps his fist. “I’m going to be op official.”
“You’re going to be in the back is what you’re going to be. Wearing a bulletproof vest and keeping your mouth shut,” Erik demands.
Ant responds by zipping his mouth shut and sending Erik a double thumbs-up, followed by a salute.
Erik rolls his eyes but pulls Ant into a hug. “Please, please keep yourself safe while we’re doing this. Okay?”
