Miller stood up, determination etched on his face. “You’ll have all the resources you need. I’ll ensure backup is ready for your signal should you need it. We can’t let Ortega slip through our fingers this time—not when we have enough evidence to convict him. I’ll liaise with Spanish authorities and CNI to let them know what’s going down. When you’ve got him secured, they can come in and make the arrest.”
“We’re going in with a full team,” Seb said, “But it’s still going to be risky, Ortega postponed the trade for three hours, so we believe he’s calling in his troops.”
“I trust your judgment. Just bring everyone back safely, especially Clara’s father. He’s important to Clara and he’s a civilian, not to mention a senator. Good luck.”
As they left Miller’s office, Clara felt a surge of resolve. The pieces were falling into place, and despite the dangers they faced, there was a glimmer of hope. She glanced at Seb, his profile set in a look of fierce determination. They were walking into the lion’s den, but they were not alone. With the full force of their team and the backing of Miller, they were as ready as they would ever be.
Under the cover of darkness, Clara and the team approached Ortega’s mansion, a looming structure that was silhouetted against the starlit sky. They parked their vehicles a safe distance away and gathered for a final brief.
Seb, looking every bit the leader, outlined their plan as the rest of the team hung on every word. “Okay, you all know the drill. We’ll split into two teams. I’ll lead the infiltration team with Carter, Logan and Ezra. We’ll go in through the east wing—it’s less guarded. Max, Arlo, Toby and Clara, you’ll circle around to the west, find a way in from the back and provide support.”
Clara felt a surge of nervous energy. “I need to be part of the rescue team, Seb. It’s my dad in there,” she said, her voice firm despite the fear that gripped her heart.
Seb looked into her eyes, the conflict clear in his gaze. “Clara, it’s dangerous. I can’t risk—”
“I’m not asking you to risk anything,” she said. “This is my father and my choice. I need to be there for him. I’m going.”
Seb’s expression softened. He reached out, gently cupping her face. “Okay. But promise me you’ll be careful. I can’t lose you.”
Clara nodded, feeling a rush of affection fill her at her mate’s concern. “I promise.”
He nodded. “Okay then, Clara will go with me, Logan and Ezra and Carter, Max, Arlo and Toby will make up the second team.”
The group split up, moving silently in the shadows. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-laden grass and the distant aroma of pine trees. The only sounds were the soft rustling of leaves and their muted footsteps.
As Clara and Seb’s group neared the mansion, Clara’s heart pounded in her chest. She could feel Seb’s protective presence beside her, his quiet strength a comforting reassurance. They had decided to avoid the main gate because it was too exposed. It was covered by cameras and Clara had no doubt that Ortega would have men watching it from inside the house. The rest of the grounds were surrounded by a seven-foot manicured hedge. They weren’t the easiest things to scale, but for shifters who had a little extra speed and power in their bodies, they weren’t impossible. They circled the hedge until they were about a third of the way around the property’s circumference then one by one made their way over.
They each landed deftly on the neatly trimmed lawn then continued toward the house. Logan led the way slowly and methodically before he signaled for them to stop. Without saying a word, he pointed to the two corners of the house. To theirright, the elbow of a guard was just visible. Clara didn’t see any movement coming from the other corner, but she was certain there would be someone stationed on that side of house, too. Logan pointed to himself, and Ezra and they took off toward the back of the house, leaving Seb and Clara to neutralize the guard at the front.
Clara and Seb crept towards the building, their approach near-silent even to shifter ears. Seb took the lead and in one seriously swift move, he rounded the corner, threw his arms around the man’s neck from behind and squeezed until he became limp. Seb let go, then the man fell to the ground, unconscious. Objective achieved, they made their way to the back of the house where Logan and Ezra were waiting after taking out the other guard.
As they moved to the back of the mansion, Clara’s thoughts were a whirlwind of worry. Her father was somewhere in this opulent prison, and every step they took brought her closer to him. They avoided the back door, suspecting it would be heavily guarded and instead made their way past a large conservatory to another room that had two large windows, each with a smaller window on each side of it. Very carefully, Clara peered into the room, Despite the lights being turned off in the room, her wolf vision gave her perfect eyesight in the dark and she determined quickly that the room—a formal dining room—was empty. She pushed against the two side windows, unsurprised to find them locked.
“Breaking the window is going to draw attention to us,” Seb whispered, “so as soon as the glass is out, we need to climb in as quickly as possible.”
When they all nodded their agreement, Seb took off his black zip-up hoody and wrapped it around his wrist.
“Get ready,” he warned.
He brought his arm back then smashed it against the window, quickly and efficiently pushing away all the stray pieces of glass with his covered hand before placing the hoody over the windowsill. He stepped back and Logan climbed up then jumped down in the room, Ezra went next, and Clara followed with Seb bringing up the rear. They were inside. They quickly made their way to the door, trying to reach it before any of Ortega’s guards showed up.
Seb stayed close to Clara’s side, his hand occasionally brushing against hers in a silent show of solidarity. Despite the gravity of their mission, Clara felt an overwhelming sense of connection to Seb. This was more than just a rescue operation—it was a testament to their bond, and of how much they had come to trust one another in such a short space of time.
Together, they advanced, ready to face whatever lay ahead in the heart of Ortega’s mansion. Progressing cautiously through the lavish interior, Clara’s senses were heightened to every sound and movement. The scent of polished wood and expensive cologne mingled in the air, contrasting starkly with the tension of their mission. Seb, lead their group with quiet confidence, signaling them through the corridors, evading security cameras and avoiding the main pathways.
Each encounter with Ortega’s guards was a swift, silent struggle. Seb, Logan, and Ezra moved with lethal efficiency, neutralizing the guards before they could raise an alarm. Clara, though tense, kept pace, her training taking over in the heat of the moment.
They finally reached a room at the end of a long hallway. Ortega’s study. Clara couldn’t be certain, but she suspected this was where Ortega would be holding her father. Seb carefully opened the door and sure enough, Clara’s father was seated in a chair in the middle of the room, bound disheveled, but alive.Relief washed over Clara, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of protective anger.
As they moved to free him, the room’s door swung open behind them with a dramatic thud. Ortega, flanked by two armed guards, stood in the doorway, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
“Well, well, what a pleasant surprise,” Ortega taunted, his voice dripping with condescension. “Seems I have a guest from CN-6. You’ve been a thorn in my side for too long.”
The room tensed, the air thick with the imminent threat of violence. Clara’s father looked at her, his expression a combination of worry and fear.
“Did you honestly think you could just waltz in here and disrupt my operations?” Ortega spat. “I’ve been dealing with your kind foryears.”
“We’re not CN-6,” Seb said. “We’re CIA.”
