As I’m contemplating, the next car pulls up with four more ZYGOS guys getting out. Georgeo, and three others I don’t recognize. They make quick introductions.
“Tyler, nice to meet you,” the first guy says. He's slim, with strawberry-blonde hair. “I’m an ex-cop.”
“Blade. Ex-hitman for the US of A government,” the second guy says. He looks a bit insane—muscular with silver-colored hair.
“Black. Ex-CIA.” the last one introduces. He's tall, average features, brunette.
“So, what’s the plan?” an impatient Frost asks, his brows pinched with stress.
Maverick speaks up. “We scan the area. We will fan out, checking every inch of territory. And boys—let me stress that it will be us that do that, not you. We are trained to do this.”
“Nope.” I shoot that shit right down. “I will be looking, and I don’t give a shit if you like it, or not.”
“Same,” Ghost agrees, stepping up next to me.
Maverick grinds his jaw. “Fine... but the rest of you stay here. We need you to be a lookout, and to keep an eye on this area. We will drive the cars up if the girl is located. These vehicles are designed to handle rough terrain.”
Everyone grumbles, but they don’t argue.
Me, Ghost, Maverick, and Trav get in the car. Tyler, Black, and Blade stay back with the others. Maverick points to the west, explaining where we will look.
We drive about four hundred yards, the car stopping in the grass inside a copse.
“Everyone fan out—but no one go vigilante. If anyone sees anything, report back,” Maverick instructs.
Ghost and I dart from the car, breaking into a run, desperate to find Pazessca.
“Make sure we check bushes, trees, and even the ground. There could be a hidden location,” Ghost tells me.
We make our way through the grass and trees, finding nothing. We’re trying to hurry and be thorough at the same time. I have this urgent need to rush, to get to Pazessca. But I also don’t want to miss anything.
Ghost's head pops up, and he stiffens.
“What?” I ask.
“I fucking feel her,” he whispers, making chills break out on my arms. “She’s close.”
That's all I need to hear as I push my body faster, Ghost right at my side. I fall back a little, letting him lead.
Hang on, Pazessca. We're coming.
Ghost
My Malishka is so close, I can feel it. I know we’re supposed to report back, but I’m too frantic to bother.
I squint, making out the shape of a building. “Holy shit. See that?” I point, Synn following my gaze.
“Brother, fuck. That must be where she’s being held. Come on.” Panic laces Synn’s voice.
We take off without a plan of any kind. Every beat of my heart is whispering “Find her, save her.”
We approach the building, and I force myself to slow down.
I grab Synn’s sleeve to stop him. “We need to check the lay of the land before rushing in there. We have no idea what’s going on inside.”
Synn agrees. We circle around the house slowly. It's an older, run-down farmhouse. We skirt the front, going around the right side. I see a car parked in the back.
Synn's eyes widen, pointing to the back door. We walk up, and I put my ear to it, listening for any movement inside.
