“Amen,” I huff. “But just think, as soon as we are, we get to torture the bitch. And I call dibs on setting this place on fire.”
Roman laughs, but it stutters to a halt when the door opens. The man walking in makes my stomach pitch. He’s immaculately dressed, and I recognize him from the photos we were shown. That sneer though? That tells me we’re in fucking trouble.
“It appears my daughter hasn’t been doing a good job if you are laughing…but don’t worry, I’ll rectify that,” the Senator says with a sickening smile.
Fuck. We’d better be rescued soon, because as much as the bitch worried me, I think we’re in over our heads with this asshole…
Anticipation vibrates through me as we wait for the signal from Tennant and the others on the distraction teams. There’s fear mixed in with everything else that's rolling through me, as Tennant wasn’t the only one who volunteered to set the explosives. Nario and Nicolo did too. I couldn’t argue with them, because aside from Antonio, they’re the best at getting into where they’re not supposed to be. Butfuck. That means there’s four of my lovers out there at the mercy of our enemies, and it makes me antsy.
The worst part about this is that I can’t have an earpiece because they don’t work for me. So I’m relying on either Dima or Killian to let me know what’s happening.
“Ten’s out,” Dima signs.
A mixture of relief and worry rushes through me as I wait for news on my Boys next. Several minutes seem to pass, though it has to only be a minute or so before Dima says, “Nario’s out.”
Blowing out a breath, I check my gun, just for something to do. Coming on this mission was a fight. Hollis tried to bring in Jayden, but the PT agreed with me. As long as I’m careful, and don’t take stupid risks, there’s no reason I can’t do what everyone else needs me to. I proved during the rescue of Cristian and Allesandro that I can be effective. Yes, being deaf is a disadvantage, but it’s why I have two guards, one of whom is a trip, so it’s a bullshit argument. I don’t blame the hacker for worrying, though.
Roman, Lio, and Antonio have all been kidnapped. Even if Antonio’s was orchestrated by Leandro, it doesn’t mean he’s in any less danger. I’m still unsure what to do about Leandro’s interference. I understand his way of thinking, but fuck, not at the expense of someone I love.
“Nicolo’s out,” Dima tells me.
Taking a slow breath, some of my tension leaks out, though that was only the first part of the plan.
Marcus stands in the middle of the gathered men, and Dima interprets for me. “Our insider has confirmed Cecily Dowing is on scene. She is to be captured. Unless your life is on the line, you are to subdue only. About half of the forces are under orders to retreat, but don’t let your guard down simply because we’ve been assured they won’t go after us. Whoever is not on our side won’t hesitate to take us out.
“The building isn’t large, so there’s nowhere for them to hide, but the same can be said for us. Be vigilant, we don’t want them to kill Antonio before we can get to him.”
I refuse to believe in an outcome that doesn’t involve my Boy in my arms safe and sound.
We’re on the move as soon as Marcus has finished speaking, getting in our vehicles to cross the short distance between the abandoned building we’ve been waiting in, and the one where part of my heart is being held.
“Showtime,” Dima says, his smile a little unhinged as he counts down.
The various explosions make the vehicle we’re in rock a little, but other than that, there wasn’t much to the blasts that would affect us this far out. The goal was distraction, not destruction, unfortunately.
As soon as the blasts go off, the driver heads toward them, and I do another check of my gear, just to give me peace of mind.
“Gonna get a little bumpy,” Dima warns, before he takes his own gun out.
Our car stops and we jump out, right into the firing zone.
Killian covers Dima and I, as the three of us head right into the fray. Adrenaline fills me as I take out one, and then another, asshole. The gun in my hand feels so natural, though I don’t get to come out as often as Tennant or any of the others.
A hand lands on my arm and gently pushes me out of the way. I trust Killian to guard me and steer me right, saving us both from getting shot when my hearing fails me. In such a chaotic situation, I have to trust those around me in order to stay alive.
The three of us make it into the small warehouse, where we’re fired upon immediately. Hissing at the sting of a bullet as it grazes my arm, I empty my gun into the resistance in front of us.
Trusting my guards to cover me, I drop back a little to switch magazines. Feeling a presence beside me, I turn with my gun ready, only to roll my eyes when I meet Tennant’s. There’s a wide grin on his face, and his icy eyes are alight with excitement.
“Having fun?” I ask rhetorically.
“More than I have in a while,” he confesses. The speed in which he switches between signing and then pulling his gun to shoot at the enemy is impressive. It’s clear he’s in his element here.
We move forward into the warehouse. Men fan out to flush out the enemy, and search all of the rooms for our targets. There are limited spaces for them to hide, which is good for us, as we can get this over with quickly. But it also means the stakes on rescuing Antonio are higher, because I find it hard to believe Cecily is going to hand him over, or give up that easily.
There’s only one door left to go through. Tennant and I take up positions on either side of it, while Killian stands in front of the door, with his gun drawn, as Dima and another one of our men prepare to breach. Dima gives a silent countdown.
My heart beats loudly in my ears as the door is thrown open. Killian fires on the asshole who tries to come out, his gun held poorly. He drops dead in the doorway, and I fight not to roll my eyes.
