I lean closer to study the layout. Main house, two outbuildings, and a single access road.
“Do you think she’s there?”
“We can’t confirm visually, but the activity pattern suggests someone important is holed up there.” Van glances up at me. “If she’s anywhere, she’s there.”
My hands curl into fists at my sides. This is it. The chance to end this. To make sure Dimitri never gets near Emma again.
“When do we move?”
Chase’s voice comes from the doorway. “We’ll send a small team to stake the place out. Once we have more information, we’ll plan a breach.”
I turn to face him. He’s dressed for the field already, tactical vest over a black shirt, and sidearm holstered at his hip. Beau stands beside him, arms crossed and expression unreadable.
“Great. I’ll be ready in ten minutes,” I say.
“No.” Beau steps into the room, his tone brooking no argument. “You’re not coming.”
The words don’t register at first. He can’t be saying what I think he is. “What?”
“You heard me.” He moves to Van’s station, studying the satellite imagery like we’re not in the middle of a conversation.
“That’s my mess to clean up.” I can hear the growl creeping into my voice as my temper rises. “I’m the reason we didn’t know where they brought her. Why they still have her at all.”
I need to make this right. My own flesh and blood should understand better than anyone why I have to do this. This woman is one of us now by extension. I’ll never be able to look Zara in the eye again if we don’t bring her home.
“Exactly.” Beau turns to face me, and there’s no give in his expression, just his bear staring back at me. “Your head’s not in the right place, and it hasn’t been since you walked out of that cabin covered in blood. And it’s not going to get better, for either of you, until you fix things with Emma.”
He pauses, letting the words land.
Chase’s voice breaks the tension, slightly, but Beau’s stance doesn’t change and my bear’s anger simmers. “This isn’t punishment, Bodhi. It’s tactical. We need people who aren’t emotionally involved. You understand why.”
I want to argue, but he’s right. I know he’s right. And that’s what makes it fucking infuriating.
“Fine.” The word comes out flat and defeated as I rest my arms on the edge of the table and drop my chin to my chest.
Chase nods, already turning back to Van to discuss entry points and extraction routes. I stand there for a moment, useless, before heading for the door.
Mason falls into step beside me in the corridor.
“Don’t,” I say without looking at him. I know him so well that I can practically hear what he’s thinking.
A hint of a smile toys with his lips. “Wasn’t going to say anything.”
Yeah, right. “Just get him for me, alright?”
Mason gives me a reassuring pat on the shoulder but doesn’t promise me anything.
We walk in silence through the main building, past offices and equipment rooms, until we reach the back exit. I push through into the evening air, the stiff breeze a welcome shock after the stifling atmosphere inside.
The sun is setting behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. I close my eyes, letting the fresh air and warm sunshine calm my frazzled nervous system.
I trust Beau, Mason too, and I know they’re good at what they do. But if it doesn’t go to plan, and Dimitri remains at large, Emma’s never going to have peace. I feel completely out of control just thinking about not being there to see it through.
Beau leans beside the door, waiting, one knee bent, boot resting against the wall.
“You look like shit,” he says conversationally, scratching at the dark stubble on his jaw. He doesn’t look too great himself.
“Thanks.”
