“Viktor Koznovic, a Russian mobster who was going into business with Gomez Ramirez, Cass’s uncle and former leader of the Ramirez Cartel.”
Marie was aware of all that Gomez had put Cassand the women of Alliez through. And the reason he was no longer breathing was because of the work Isaac had done when he’d been embedded into the organization. “Isaac prevented them from going into business, right?”
Angelo nodded. “His intel helped with the rescue of Steff and Cynthia who worked with Teresa. They, along with thirty other women, men, and children, were all being shipped to an undisclosed location and then auctioned off. My guess is somehow Viktor was able to connect Javier Cortez to Isaac Warner and wants revenge for the loss of his business. It would’ve dented his reputation as well, so that would’ve pissed him off even more.”
“I can’t believe there are people in the world who do that,” she whispered, trying to wrap her head around what all those victims would’ve gone through, would still be going through. No one got over a trauma like that in a matter of days.
“There is so much that the general public doesn't know. During my time as a SEAL we took down high value targets regularly, only for more to turn up. There are some sick fuckers out there.”
And one of them had Isaac. Not for a minute did she think that Isaac and Viktor would be having tea and cake. There was every chance that Isaac would be coming out in a body bag. Her breath hitched, and shebit back a sob at the thought. She couldn’t allow herself to travel down that road. She had to believe that Isaac was still alive.
She would know if the other half of her soul had died, wouldn’t she?
“They’re going in.”
“Shit.” She didn’t know what else to say. She had to believe that everything would work out and at the end of it all, Isaac would be walking out. Alive, definitely battered, but alive.
“They’ll get him. Don’t worry.” Angelo’s reassurance did nothing to settle her frayed nerves.
“I’m sorry you have to be with me and not with them.” She hadn’t wanted to apologize, but now that it was all happening she felt like she had to.
“Looking after you is just as important as being with them. Same with Ox remaining behind at the office to watch proceedings and watch over everyone. We’re a team. We do what we have to, to ensure the mission is a success. We all have our roles. This time mine is here with you. Next time it could be someone else sitting out and me going into the action. That’s what we do. It’s why we’re a successful operation.”
“Okay. Thank you for explaining that.” Marie should’ve realized it wasn’t a competition between the men on who got to do the “fun” stuff and who got to do the “boring” stuff. Every part wasimportant.
The screeching of tires caught her attention, and a large silver SUV screamed past them going faster than was legal. Another one followed. The windows on both vehicles were tinted so dark it was impossible to see inside. Not that she had an opportunity with the way they sped past them.
“Fuck,” Angelo said. “Two vehicles hightailing out of the hot spot. Unable to get a visual on who was inside. Not in a position to pursue.”
Because of her. If she hadn’t insisted on being with them, Angelo would’ve been able to chase whoever had left and hopefully apprehended them.
“Copy that. Moving now.” He started the car. “We’re needed.”
Adrenaline pumped through Marie as the importance of his words sunk in. “Is Isaac okay? What’s happening? What about the cars?”
“Isaac is secure. We’ve neutralized the remaining threats and Cass will be tracing the cars.” Angelo fired off his answers as the car jerked into motion.
The journey to the warehouse took mere seconds, and Fox was running toward them flinging open the back door before the car had come to a complete stop.
“Follow me,” he demanded as he grabbed both her medical bag and the first aid kit.
For half a second she was frozen, unableto move, as the enormity of what she was about to walk into hit her—Isaac was injured and badly.
Could she do this?
Could she save the man she loved?
What if she couldn’t? How could she live with herself if that happened?
“Marie! You’ve got this, let’s go.” Angelo grabbed her hands, and it took a second for her to register that he was standing in front of her and not sitting in the driver’s seat.
It was his complete confidence in her that had her accepting his help out of the car. Fox was a few steps in front of her, and she rushed to catch up to him. “What’s his status?” she asked when she got to his side.
He spared a quick look. “I’m not going to lie, he looks bad. Gun shot wound to the stomach and they’ve messed him up pretty badly.”
How she stayed upright she didn’t know, but she did, and she managed to keep walking.
The warehouse was dim when they entered, but she didn’t miss the shadows of men laying on the ground. Her medical instincts kicked in, and she wanted to pause to examine them, but knew that the moment she touched her fingertips to their carotid arteries she wouldn’t feel that familiar beat of blood being pumped through. But on theoff chance … Her step faltered and she looked at another man lying on the ground.
