It really is. The gear. The layout. The sheer firepower at our fingertips. It’s incredible—like stepping into a black ops fantasy.
“Alright, guys,” Kaleb says with a playful grin, sweeping an arm toward the arsenal, “help yourselves to whatever you need. It’s on the house.”
No one hesitates.
We move quickly, changing into the sleek black tactical suits. The material feels like a second skin—light, flexible, but reinforced in all the right places. I strap on the ballistic vest, adjust the gloves, lace up the boots. One by one, we hit the shelves and display cases like a well-oiled machine.
Pistols. Rifles. Extra mags. Combat knives. A few grenades, just in case.
Sebastian, of course, lingers a little longer near the explosives. He won’t admit it now, but he’s always had a thing for blowing things up. Controlled chaos is kind of his art form.
Gabriel heads straight for the long-range section. He pulls out an M24 SWS, checking the scope and chamber like it’s second nature. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him with a sniper rifle in his hands—but I haven’t forgotten what he can do with one. Gabe is one of the best marksmen I’ve ever known. If someone needs to watch my back from a rooftop two clicks away, he’s the guy.
We finish suiting up, each of us loaded and locked, adrenaline simmering beneath the surface.
Then—a sudden sound cuts through the room.
A phone rings.
Every instinct kicks in. The air goes still. No one moves. No one breathes.
Kai crosses the room and picks it up. We wait.
“Tracker’s live,” Kai says, voice clipped and sharp. “We’ve got a ping.”
He puts the phone on speaker and sets it on the center table.
My chest locks, then releases.
“Where?” I ask, already bracing.
“Abandoned warehouse,” Kade answers, fingers flying across a nearby console. “Right on the river’s edge. West side industrial zone.”
My fists clench. The team moves instantly—gear hoisted, comms switched on, formations taking shape without a single wasted word. But all I can think about isher.
I made her wear that bracelet. I made sure the charm could scream for me when she couldn’t. And now—it’s working.
She has no idea I’m already on my way. She probably thinks she’s still alone.
“We need the building’s layout. And the surrounding area.”
“Already on it,” Kade replies, already tapping into the security feed. “Ethan’s pulling the data now. Uploading to your devices, right about… now.”
Before I can even ask, Kaleb is already handing them out, rugged ten-inch tactical tablets, screens lighting up with a detailed map of the site. The ones that you can attach to your forearm. Light, practical.
“There,” Gabe says, pointing to a tall structure about a thousand feet from the target. “I can post up on the roof, get a visual. If things go sideways, I’ll take the shot.”
Sniper mode:engaged. No hesitation, no emotion—just focus. I haven't seen him like thins in years. And now he's here for me. For Ava. His sister as he calls her.
“Sounds good to me.” Kade says “The rest of you know what to do—extract Ava, secure the target. Capture himaliveif Elijah wants him that way. Everyone gets out. No exceptions.”
Gone is the smooth-talking CEO. In his place stands the commander we all knew was under the surface.
Everyone nods. No fear. Just purpose. We move.
Once we’re geared up and the initial plan is in place, Kaleb leads us down into what can only be described as the most advanced underground parking structure I’ve ever seen.
Rows of sleek, high-performance cars gleam under cool overhead lighting—state-of-the-art machines, some armored, some built purely for speed. A few, I recognize from the Kingstons’ private collection. But what really catches my eye is the lineup near the far wall.
