“Back room clear.”
“All’s clear here.”
The structure didn’t have a lot of rooms or places for targets to hide. The place was quiet and empty, with dust coating the floor and windowsills indicating that no one had been there for a while. Very little time passed before the team regrouped in the front room.
With his gun secure in his hand, Ben paced liked a caged animal. He’d been certain they’d tracked down where Boyd and Mars held Paige. How could they have gotten this wrong?
“We saw Boyd come inside,” Remi insisted, sounding as frustrated as Ben felt. “Where the hell could he have gone?”
Jackson frowned. “We search again. Check every room, every surface. Look for anything — and I meananything— that looks out of place or could give us a clue as to where to find Boyd, Mars, or Paige. Luke, you, E, and PJ, check the perimeter for signs that they had a separate vehicle hidden nearby that they used to slip away. It doesn’t make sense for them to leave their cars here and then vanish without some means of transport.”
Ben pulled at the top of his bulletproof vest. The pressure in his chest built, and sweat beaded along his hairline. “E, you stay. I’ll go with Luke and PJ. I need some air.”
Jackson narrowed his eyes to study Ben. “Take a break. You look like shit.”
“I’m good to keep searching. I just can’t do it in here.” Ben’s eyes pleaded for his brother to understand.
Jackson nodded. “Yeah, okay. Easton, you search in here with us. Luke, PJ, and Ben, take the perimeter.”
The group separated. Once outside, Ben breathed deep, letting the fresh air cleanse the disappointment from him. PJ and Luke started their search in the area closest to the structure and moving out to cover a greater distance. With his eyes adjusted to the limited visibility, Ben took a moment to study his surroundings. The bright moonlight illuminated the valley, so he had a better view of the perimeter than a nighttime search typically allowed.
They were surrounded by rolling hills sprinkled with trees and the one path that led to the front of the building. He closed his eyes and focused his mind. He was a Legend, just like his brothers. And just like his brothers, he brought his own strengths and skills to the job that the rest didn’t have. He could play pretend. He could put himself in the mind of Paige’s captors.
When he opened his eyes, he scanned his surroundings with a fresh perspective.
“Cutter, you still have eyes on the perimeter?”
“Roger that,” the Atlas Security operative responded over the comm.
“Any evidence of a disturbance in the landscape? Something to indicate a possible underground bunker?”
“Standby.”
Jackson stepped outside the building and stopped next to Ben. He didn’t say anything, only watched and waited. Ben felt like an eternity slipped by before Cutter replied.
“I’ll be damned. Less than a click to the west. Not sure if that’s what you’re talking about, but there’s something there. Idoubt you’ll notice it from the ground. Head that way, and I’ll tell you when to stop.”
Jackson scowled. “An underground bunker is a stretch.”
Ben shook his head. “This area is known for survivalist groups who don’t exist without a bunker. In this area, it’s the only way to stay hidden unless they go into the trees. I don’t see that happening.”
Jackson scanned the area, ever watchful. “No way to sneak up on them in a bunker.”
“They’re probably already waiting for us. We probably tripped some alarm when we breached,” Ben reminded him.
“You would be right,” Cutter interjected. “A little mole just stuck his head out of the hatch. Bet you a round at the bar that they’re about to rabbit.”
“Keep your eyes on them, Cutter. Remi and Ridge, secure the building and watch for unfriendlies. Everybody else, we’re heading to the bunker. Going in hot.”
Everyone moved on Jackson’s command. Luke slapped Ben on the shoulder as he came up on his brother’s right side.
“You ready to take down your girl’s boogeyman?” Luke asked before they set off for the back of the property.
“I’m ready to get my girl. The boogeyman is up for grabs.”
Luke grunted. “It’ll be my pleasure to take that bastard out.”
Ben focused on the terrain in front of them. He slowed his breathing, checked his weapon, and swiveled his head to check for any movement around them.
