The rest slide our vests and hoodies on. Les picks up four black masks and hands them to Holden, Leo, Evander, and Mateo. “Micah had these fitted just like ours. No one can tell what you look like in them, not even your eye color. The eyes are completely black, but they have night vision.” She flips it to the side to show them the little switch to change it.
She twists her hair into a bun on the back of her head before sliding the mask over her face and flipping her hoodie up. It always looks creepy as hell, especially in the dark, because it looks like you don’t have a face.
“That’s scary as fuck, Baby,” Leo comments.
Les laughs, making it even creepier coming out muffled behind the mask. She slides it to the top of her head. “That’s the point.” She turns to Evander and Mateo. “Now’s the time if you want to bow out. I won’t hold it against you.”
Evander shakes his head. “We’re in.”
Mateo grins. “Let’s get this motherfucker”
We haveto park a little ways away because this asshole lives on a dead-end road, and a bunch of blacked-out vans flying toward your house draws too much attention. All the other guards are already spread out around the fence, out of sight of the cameras and guards. I have the Russian AK-74M strapped to my back. Les had a good laugh about going after the Russians with a Russian weapon. We actually all got a good kick out of that one. I have my holster on with my trusty Glocks and a pocket full of ammo. The rest of us are carrying the same thing, but if I have to guess, Les has a knife or two strapped to her somewhere.
We step out of the van, pulling our masks on and flipping the hoods up. We already knew we would have to go in guns blazing, even going in behind the guards. They’ll take out whoever they can as soon as Les gives the signal. Les looks back in the van at Holden before she slides her mask on. “You see anyone coming toward you, you fucking run.”
They already had this argument on the way over, so he nods. “Yes, Boss.”
She shuts the door and pulls her mask down, concealing that beautiful face. She flips her hood up and motions with her hand that we need to move.It’s go time.
We do a comms check with Holden when we’re far enough away to get the all-clear from him. I can feel my heart thumping against my ribcage and the nervous energy radiating off of everyone. All the guys form a circle around Les, not because she can’t protect herself, but because we need to conceal her as long as possible. Her height gives her away easily. Plus, she doesn’t know it, but we all agreed we will protect her whether she wants us to or not.
The gate looms in the distance, and Dex gives the signal to stop. It’s cloudy as hell tonight, so it works to our advantage to sneak up undetected until we can’t anymore.
“Heads up,” Les says into the comm, and I know she’s about to give the signal. “GO!”
It’s quiet for a second, then the cracking of the guns echoes, signaling it’s time. We take off at a dead run; there’s no turning back now.
On the last count, sixty fucking guards lurk around this place, and Les knows some of hers will probably be lost. That’s the part she always struggles with the most.
I punch in the gate code Alexey gave us, and the gate swings open. There are already bodies lying around and a gunfight in front of us. We had the element of surprise when we sent the first set of guards in. Still, our advantage dropped drastically when Viktor’s guards figured out what was happening.
We all spread out in a single file walking as one, weapons at the ready, popping off shots when we need to. We need to get into that house fast while our guards have Viktor’s tied up.
“Shit,” I hear Gage grunt before firing a shot to his right. “It got the vest.”
The hoodies are also fitted with Kevlar, making them bulky and heavy but protected as much as possible.
Three guards charge us, causing us to have to jump behind the ugly as fuck statues Viktor has on either side of the driveway, splitting up the group.
Les counts down to three on her fingers to whoever is closest on the other side; I can’t tell anyone apart in this shit except Dex and Les because of the heights. They pop out at the same time, leveling two of the guards before dropping back behind the statue. The third guard fires rapidly at the statue, causing chunks of concrete to fall on us.
Someone rolls out onto the driveway from the other side, and I instantly know it’s Gage. He pops off three shots before motioning for us to come out.
“Fancy footwork, Gage,” Dex comments quietly.
“All in a day’s work, big fella,” Gage responds and Les snorts a laugh.
We fall into single file again, finally making it to thedoor. Dex raises a big, booted foot kicking it open; we spill in and are met with way too many guards to count, semi-automatics aimed right at us.
Fuck.
We dive on either side of the doors and start exchanging rounds, not even knowing if we’re hitting anyone. When he heard the commotion outside, Viktor must have pulled more inside to protect his punk ass.
Les peeks around the door and leans back with a hiss. “Fuck.”
“What is it?” Micah asks harshly.
“I got hit. I’m fine,” she replies through gritted teeth. She levels her weapon in front of her before taking several deep breaths. She pops it around the corner, keeping her head hidden, and sprays the inside with bullets. You can hear the distinct sound of bodies hitting the floor, and I know she’s at least done some damage.
