They eased out of the building to get where they needed tobe.
Nate’s father came in from the opposite hall.“I’ve got Ianand Theo in position.”
“Erin and Li just left.”Nate checked his SIG.“Dais, you’regoing to answer now.It’s time.If you have to walk out, you go with your handsup, and the minute I give you the signal, you take cover, all right?”
“I’m supposed to distract them,” Daisy insisted.
“Cry,” his father said, checking his own weapon.“Give thema good cry.It unnerves men sometimes.Don’t worry.We’re going to handle it.Now answer.We need roughly sixty seconds to get into position.”
Daisy answered, and it was the hardest thing he’d ever donewalking away from her, but he did it.Somewhere in the Sanctum building therewas a whole team with eyes on the area.She had six trained operatives watchingher.
“She’s going to be okay, son,” his father whispered as theysnuck out of the building, taking the opposite route Li and Erin had.“She’sbeen in tight positions before.”
“Yes, that’s what scares me.”Nate moved behind his father.“She thinks she can handle anything.I’m worried about what she’s going tothink a distraction is.”
He should have stayed with her.Should have ensured shedidn’t walk out of the building.
But then he saw the door to the van open and a tall manexit.He immediately turned and had a gun to Devi’s head.In his other hand, heheld a cell phone.
The second kidnapper exited the van and stayed at Devi’sback.Naturally he had a gun, too, and it was pressed to Devi’s side.
“That’s right.You come out here and come out alone, andwe’ll let your friend go,” the man was saying.
“They’re too close,” his father whispered.“If there wereonly one of them I would say Boomer can take him out, but if the other guy…”
If the other guy had enough time to pull the trigger, Deviwould be gone and her whole family gutted.Daisy would never recover fromwatching her friend die in front of her.
His heart thudded, but Nate forced himself to remain calm.
“I can see Big Tag, but they can’t.Is there anyone behindthe wheel?”Nate asked.
“Can’t tell.”His father’s back was to the wall, clinging tothe shadows.“Bloody surprise op.I’m carrying comms from now on.I don’t likenot having someone in my ear.”
But Nate knew comms could blow.His father had worked fromthe cozy comfort of a team with every possible technological advantage.Natehadn’t gotten comfy yet.
“I don’t see you,” the man was saying as he moved Devialong.
Devi started to stumble, but the second man held herupright, keeping a tight hold on her.“My mother is going to kill you.”
The second man chuckled.“Sure.Your mom.I’m real scared,kid.”
They should be.They had no idea they were about to besurrounded by Taggarts.The only question was could they get the shots theyneeded without endangering Devi’s life.
“They’re almost where we need them,” his father whispered.“When Boomer takes his shot, I want you to roll out and get into position.We’ll still have one to deal with.You’ll be behind him.”
Nate cautiously looked around the corner while thekidnappers were arguing with Daisy about why she was stalling.They kept Deviin between them.The good news?She was half a foot shorter than one of themen.It would make for an easy shot.The bad?She was as tall as her secondkidnapper.She would be an excellent shield for him.
He would have to be careful.So careful.
“She’s coming out,” the taller one said.“I think yourfriend wants you to… Holy hell.”
Both men stopped and their guns lowered suddenly, their eyeson whatever was happening in front of them.
Was Erin moving in early?He barely had time to register thegrin that came across Devi’s face when the tall guy’s head snapped back.Boomer’s aim had been true, but the second guy was a harder target.Nate’straining kicked in.He strode out from behind the building and took the shotbecause Devi had been able to move away from him slightly.Nate fired, catchingthe guy in the head and ending the threat.
“Daisy O’Donnell!”Liam jogged over from the outer edge ofthe parking lot.“You put on some clothes right now.”
What?Nate looked over, and Daisy was smiling wearingnothing but the glorious skin she was born in.
