He grinned, a flash of the boy he'd once been breaking through the hardened soldier. "Yes, ma'am."
As Walker headed off to gear up with Reed, Sabrina wrapped her arms around herself, already feeling his absence. Despite the danger ahead, despite the uncertainty, something fundamental had changed between them. She had found him again—or perhaps they had found each other—and she wasn't about to let him go a second time.
Chapter 13
The night air was crisp and clear as the tactical team moved into position around Kraslov's estate. Walker checked his gear one final time, the familiarity of pre-mission routine steadying his nerves.
Reed's voice came through the comm in his ear. "Teams in position. Beta team has eyes on the target. He's in the main house, east wing."
"Roger that," Walker replied. "Ready on your go."
The plan was straightforward—infiltrate the estate, secure Kraslov, extract with minimal engagement. Reed's intelligence suggested the State Department official was preparing to flee with critical evidence. They couldn't allow that to happen.
"Execute in three... two... one... Go."
Walker moved forward with the team, his movements silent and precise. Years of SEAL training had prepared him for exactly this kind of operation. The perimeter security was sophisticated but not impenetrable—especially with the access codes Reed's team had acquired.
They breached the outer fence without issue, splitting into three teams as planned. Walker led Alpha team toward the mainhouse while Beta covered the grounds and Gamma secured their exit route.
The mansion loomed ahead, dark except for lights in the east wing as reported. Walker signaled his team to maintain silence as they approached the terrace doors.
The lock mechanism yielded to their electronic override. Walker entered first, weapon ready, senses hyperalert to any movement or sound. The others followed, fanning out to secure the immediate area.
"Clear," came the whispered confirmation from each team member.
They moved deeper into the house, following the blueprint Reed had obtained. According to intelligence, Kraslov would be in his study, preparing documents for his escape.
As they neared the east wing, Walker heard voices—Kraslov and someone else, arguing in hushed tones.
"We need to move now," the unknown voice insisted. "They're closing in."
"I need ten more minutes," Kraslov replied. "The transfer isn't complete."
Walker signaled his team to hold position while he edged closer to the partially open door, trying to identify the second voice. Something about it seemed familiar.
"...can't risk it," the voice continued. "Star's team is too close."
Walker's blood ran cold as recognition hit. Thomas.
He quickly relayed the information to Reed through their secure channel. "Secondary target confirmed on site. Proceeding with extraction."
Reed's acknowledgment came immediately. "Understood. Be advised—local authorities have been alerted to a potential security breach at a diplomatic residence. Timeline compressed. You have seven minutes."
Walker signaled the countdown to his team. On his mark, they breached the study door, weapons trained on the two men inside.
"William Kraslov," Walker announced, "you're being detained on suspicion of treason, conspiracy, and murder."
Kraslov froze behind his desk, while Thomas immediately reached for his weapon.
Walker trained his gun on the former security guard. "Don't," he advised coldly. "You won't make it."
Thomas's eyes narrowed with hatred, but he raised his hands slowly.
"Secure them," Walker ordered his team.
As agents moved to handcuff the two men, Walker approached Kraslov's computer, still active on the desk.
"The evidence is being uploaded to a secure server," he noted, quickly assessing what he was seeing. "We need this."
