“Probably hiding,” Jace says. “Letting Ryan take the visible risk while she stays out of the line of fire.”
“Keep scanning,” Charles orders.
Through the scope, I watch Ryan lean down, say something in Parker’s ear. Her expression shifts from defiant to furious.
Whatever he said, she hated it.
My finger moves from trigger guard to trigger.
“Whatever Ryan just said made Parker angry,” I report.
“Movement, second floor,” I add, catching shadows in upper windows. “At least three, maybe four hostiles. Armed. Positioned defensively.”
“Rodriguez, Chen,” Charles says into the comm, “you’re seeing this?”
“Confirmed,” Rodriguez responds. “We count four hostiles, second floor. Two more just entered from a vehicle we didn’t spot. Dark van, parked on the north side.”
“More hostiles arriving,” Marcus reports. “This isn’t just Ryan’s crew. This is organized.”
“Ryan built himself an army,” Jace says. “Fuck.”
“Doesn’t change anything,” I say. “They’re still between us and Parker. They’re still dead.”
“Cal,” Charles says, “can you trigger something? Alarms, lights, anything that divides their attention?”
“Already on it,” Cal responds. “Accessing their security system now. Give me thirty seconds.”
Through the scope, more movement. Second floor window. Someone’s setting up position with what looks like a rifle.
“Sniper position, second floor east,” I report. “Taking aim at the perimeter.”
“Williams, Petrov, you see him?” Charles asks.
“Got him,” Williams confirms.
A single shot cracks through the air. The figure in the second floor window drops.
“Target down,” Williams reports.
“Return fire incoming,” Rodriguez warns.
Gunfire erupts from multiple windows. Second floor hostiles engaging our perimeter team.
“So much for stealth,” Jace mutters.
“Cal, we need that distraction now,” Charles says.
“Triggering alarms in three, two, one, mark.”
Through the scope, red lights start flashing inside. The alarm must be deafening because several hostiles turn toward the backof the house, weapons raised, thinking we’re breaching from the rear.
But Ryan doesn’t move. Gun stays pressed to Parker’s head.
“Alarms triggered but Ryan’s holding position,” I report.
“We breach anyway,” Charles decides. “Jace, Silas, front entry. Cal and I take rear. Marcus, Rodriguez, Chen, provide suppressing fire on the second floor. Williams, Petrov, watch for runners.”
“Copy,” everyone responds.
