“Every four hours.Shift change happens in fifty minutes,” Pierce replies before Ray.“That’s our window.Minimal overlap, maximum confusion.”
“We’ll need a distraction,” Tommy says.“Something to draw their attention while breach teams move into position.”
“Already handled.”Nora’s smile is thin and sharp.“I’ve contacted a trustworthy associate who has been making a land deal with one of DiLorenzo’s shell companies.Giovanni thinks he’s here to negotiate.When his guards see the vehicles approaching, they’ll assume it’s the business delegation arriving.”
Smart.Use Giovanni’s greed against him.
“Any chance Giovanni can trace this guy to you, to the Syndicate?”
“None.”
Dave nods slowly.“How many breach teams do we need?”
“Three.”I step forward, pointing at the satellite image.“Alpha takes the main house from the south approach.Bravo secures the barracks—we can’t have two dozen armed guards flanking us mid-operation.Charlie holds the perimeter and intercepts any runners.”
“And the helicopter?”
“We disable it before we breach.Pierce, can your people handle that?”
Pierce’s grin is predatory.“Consider it done.”
The convoy winds through mountain roads as the sun begins its descent toward the Pacific.Lake Arrowhead glitters in the distance, deceptively peaceful.Vacation homes and resort properties dot the shoreline.Somewhere among them, a trafficking compound operates in plain sight.
I check my weapons for the third time.The familiar ritual calms the adrenaline surging through my system.Glock in the shoulder holster.Backup piece strapped to my ankle.Combat knife sheathed at my thigh.Body armor, courtesy of Maeve’s nanotechnology, beneath my tactical vest.
The earpiece crackles.“Alpha team in position.”Ray’s voice is steady, professional.
“Bravo holding at secondary approach,” Tommy confirms from the second vehicle.
“Charlie has perimeter secured,” comes the response from Pierce.
I key my mic.“All teams stand by.Business delegation makes contact in two minutes.Security systems?”
“Will be down in five minutes.For now, their team is watching yesterday’s footage,” Serena’s throaty voice washes over me through comms.
“Good girl,” I whisper in a private channel for her ears only.
“Gee, brother, wait until you get back home.”Dave’s chuckle proves me wrong.
“Says the man who proposed doing a raid,” Tommy beats me to it.
“Boys, get your heads in the game,” Maeve's giggle betrays her stern tone.“You know, the other head.”
A silver Mercedes sedan pulls up to the compound’s main gate, and we go deadly silent.No more time for jokes.Nora’s associate plays his role perfectly, the businessman arriving for a meeting.The guards at the gate check the driver’s credentials, speak into radios, and wave the vehicle through.Little do they know that a Syndicate founder also rides in the back seat beside that businessman.
The distraction is set.
“Alpha team, move on my mark.”I signal the driver, and our SUV peels off the main road onto a service trail that circles behind the ridge.“Bravo, begin approach.Charlie, hold position until we breach.”
The next three minutes are controlled chaos.We exit vehicles in silence, moving through the tree line with practiced precision.Ray takes point, his experience in operations like this evident in every step.I follow close behind, my focus narrowing to a single point: the main house where Giovanni and Cesare are waiting.
Cesare’s hands on Serena’s face.His mouth descending toward hers.
The bruises on her skin when I found her in that dungeon.
Wrath is useful.I channel it into cold focus, letting it sharpen my senses.Every Marine knows the difference between anger and discipline.Tonight, I need both.
We reach the south perimeter as Nora’s Mercedes pulls up to the main entrance.Through my scope, I watch guards cluster around the vehicle, their attention fixed on the unexpected visitor.Just as planned.
