“Enemy fire at my back,” he said quietly, before dropping his coordinates.
“On ya.”
Thirty seconds later, more shots rang out, confirming Wraith had entered the chat. Roarke fought a grin as the return fire tapered off. He rounded the tree and ducked under low branches, leaping over rocks and bushes.
“On your right,” Wraith said in his ear.
“Copy.” Roarke aimed and fired at movement in the trees. A sharp yelp followed. Another shooter sprouted up near the house. Bark splintered near the back of his neck.
He nailed that fucker out next, then dropped low, waiting.
“At the house,” Viper said. “Took out one guard near the driveway.”
Roarke’s blood pumped eagerly through his veins. His cardiovascular system enjoyed this rush way too fucking much.
Gunfire ceased. If there were more men, they were likely inside.
Wraith’s slow, even footsteps approached. Roarke was so attuned to the sounds and energy of his men, he didn’t need to check who knelt beside him.
“What’s our count?” Roarke asked.
“I took out the two hostiles on ya. You got the last two. We each eliminated one before, and Viper again just now.”
Roarke did a rapid calculation. “If he’s got more than that, it can’t be many.”
“Agreed. We know he’s got Amir and Rayan with him, so we can expect at least a couple more at the house.”
Roarke studied the shape of the single-story dwelling. Dim lights shone through the blinds, but he’d need to get closer to figure out where Emmy and Laine were.
He rose to his feet. “Move.”
Wraith fell into step beside him as they traipsed quickly through the brush. The trees thinned as they reached the backyard. No stirring in the house.
Too quiet.
If chaos hadn’t just ensued, he’d have attempted a quiet entry. He wasn’t waiting for these fuckers to get the chance to think. He moved into the yard, his rifle trained on the back door, which stood above a rickety, unkempt porch.
Overgrown weeds spilled out around the walkway. Rain fell in steady drops, but he was barely even aware of the cold splatters against his cheeks.
“Come out, Cameron!” he commanded.
“Roarke!”
He froze. Laine. He moved in the direction of her voice.
Viper blocked his path. “Hang on, boss. Could be a trap.”
Roarke brushed past him. “Find Emmy. Laine said she’s in the room above her. Looks like there’s only one upstairs bedroom on this side of the house.”
The back door banged open. A man walked out. He was too tall to be Cameron. A wide grin split his face.
Roarke refocused his attention on the door, aiming his weapon at the guy’s chest. He moved closer to Wraith. “Hands in the air!”
The man did as he was told, but something small—too tiny to be a weapon—was curled in his fingers.
“Where’s Cameron?”
His grin widened. “I’m Amir, the one you’re going to deal with.”
