“Or someone’s bankrolling him,” Dexter added darkly.
“Don’t forget he comes from old money.No, if anything, he’s fallen prey to the money breeds power shit.”Rex couldn’t shake the feeling that Axel had stumbled onto something significant.Dominic Drake’s reappearance, his attitude toward all of them over the entire weekend, the personal nature of The Consortium’s threats, and the tactical precision of their operations to date—it was starting to form a pattern.
“We focus on Masters for now,” Rex said, his voice carrying the quiet authority that commanded respect.“But after this, we need to take a closer look at our old friend DD.Axel is right...I have the same feeling that his sudden return to our lives isn’t a coincidence.”
The tactical boat sliced through the dark waters of Lake Pontchartrain, its specialized engine barely a whisper above the gentle lap of waves.
The mansion materialized to its full glory as Camden pulled back on the throttle and eased closer to shore.Three stories of cream-colored stone and elaborate archways rose above meticulously landscaped grounds, multiple balconies offering commanding views of the lake.Security lights created pools of warm illumination around the property's perimeter, but left telling shadows between—perfect for their approach.
Rex studied the layout through night vision binoculars.“There are four guards patrolling the grounds.Clockwork rotation, two-minute intervals.Yep, your intel is spot on, Camden.There are security cameras on all corners, but there’s a blind spot where the boat dock meets the garden wall.”
“Those ornate trellises might as well be welcome signs,” Dexter murmured, noting the heavy wooden lattices that climbed the mansion’s walls.“Probably supporting some expensive climbing roses during the day...”
“And supporting us tonight,” Axel finished with a grim smile.
The private dock extended thirty feet into the water with only minimal lighting, and a sleek Sunseeker yacht bobbing gently at the end.
“Two minutes to the next guard rotation,” Max whispered, checking his watch.“Jax?”
Jax had already prepared the specialized grappling equipment that would allow them to secure the boat without a sound.“Ready.We’ll need to time this perfectly with that guard’s turn at the north corner.”
As they drifted closer, details of Masters’ security system became clearer.Motion sensors dotted the grounds, their small red lights blinking lazily in the darkness.An elaborate CCTV system covered most approaches, except for the one they’d chosen.The mansion’s downstairs windows were dark except for a faint glow from what appeared to be the kitchen area, but four rooms were lit up upstairs.
“Seems the Masters family is home.”Rex looked around.“We need to segregate him.Get him outside.I don’t want to spook his kids.”
“Agreed,” the five men said in unison as the boat glided the final few feet in perfect silence.Jax’s skilled hands guided the boat into position just as the guard disappeared around the corner of the house.The grapples hooked into place.Six shadows moved as one, their years of working together evident in their synchronized movements.Within seconds, they had secured the boat and were running toward the dark space where the dock met a garden wall, becoming one with the shadows.
Like liquid shadows, they moved across the grounds, using the carefully timed intervals between guard rotations.The fountain’s gentle cascade provided welcome audio coverage as they reached the rear terrace.Suddenly a light switched on downstairs.They froze as one.Through the open French doors, they saw Masters padding into his study with a glass in his hand.
Rex signaled Camden, Axel, and Dexter to take position at the exits while he, Max, and Jax moved toward the study’s double doors.The sound of children’s laughter drifted down from upstairs, followed by a woman’s gentle admonishment about bedtime.
Masters just settled into his leather armchair when the doors clicked shut behind him.Before he could fully turn, Max’s massive hand clamped over his mouth, stifling his startled cry.The tumbler dropped to the carpeted floor with the whiskey seeping into the expensive fibers.
“Evening, Colin,” Rex’s voice was deadly quiet as he moved into Masters’ line of sight.“We’re going to take a little boat ride.Nod if you understand that any attempt to alert your guards will result in an extremely unpleasant evening for your family.”
Masters’ eyes were wild above Max’s hand, but he managed a jerky nod.
“Good.Now, we’re going to walk very calmly to the dock.Your family never needs to know we were here.That’s a courtesy we’re extending because we’re not animals.Don’t make us regret it.”
As they moved through the darkness toward the water, Masters attempted to break free, opening his mouth to shout.Jax was ready, sliding a zip-tie gag into place with practiced efficiency while Dexter jabbed a sedative pen against Masters’ neck—just enough to keep him compliant but conscious.
“Try that again and know that you’ll be the reason your children have nightmares for years to come,” Rex growled angrily.
Masters’ eyes turned cloudy as the realization struck that he had no alternative but to comply.
Minutes later, they were powering across the dark lake with Masters secured at the center of the deck.When Camden cut the engine in the middle of the lake, the only sounds were the gentle lap of waves against the hull and Masters’ ragged breathing as Jax removed the gag.
“Whatever the fuck this is, I don’t know anything,” Masters gasped immediately.“Whatever you think—”
“Save it,” Rex cut him off.“You know me and my level of expertise, so don’t try to bullshit me.You fucked up, Masters.We know you leaked the directive about the security update.Your digital fingerprints are all over it.The only question is to whom you leaked it.”
“You’re insane.I would never—”
“The timestamp on the leak matches exactly when you accessed the system,” Rex continued, his voice flat.“Want to try again?”
Masters’ face drained of color in the moonlight.“Why ask?I suspect you already know who.”His eyes flashed.“And fuck you, Oliver.I ain’t saying shit.They’ll kill me.”
“We’re not looking for foot soldiers,” Max growled.“We want the founders.Names.Now.”
