Cross cracked a ghost of a smile. “Fair enough.”
“No, really,” McGuire said, stepping closer. “She’s family, Cross. She deserves someone who doesn’t just say the right things—but backs it up.”
“I swear I will do all the right things,” Cross swore. “I thought me being off on missions didn’t bother her so how could she possibly love me the way I loved her, because the idea of her in danger drove me crazy. But she finally told me the truth. That me being in danger damn near killed her but she didn’t say anything because she didn’t want me to worry. She didn’t want to put that in my head when I was overseas.” He shook his head. “I was a fucking idiot. I promise you that once we get her back I will protect her with my life. I’ll never let her down again.”
McGuire nodded slowly. “See that you don’t… Because I wasn’t joking about the swamp.” Then he clapped Cross on the shoulder. “Let’s get her back so you can tell her that yourself.”
Down below, Tessa picked up the first burner and looked up at the two men as Cross and McGuire headed down the stairs. Savvy and Patch came over, as did Frankie and Stone. Riven moved in next to McGuire.
Tessa asked, “Is everyone ready? Because I’m about to poke a stick into a hornet’s nest.”
Cross arched a brow. “You sure you want to make those calls here?”
Tessa nodded. “Yeah. If one of them is the mole, we’ll know soon enough. I’ll be listening for their reactions. Voice. Hesitation. Tone. But if they haven’t been found so far, then they have to be damned good actors. Good thing I am, too. I’ll make them believe I have the shipment and that I need their help. Then all we have to do is have eyes on every one of those locations and wait to see where Rodriguez turns up.”
“It sounds so simple,” Riven pointed out. “Why do I get the feeling it’s not going to be that easy?”
Cross didn’t say anything, but he felt the same way. None of this had gone according to plan so far. Why should this be any different? “We just have to be prepared for anything.”
Tessa exhaled and dialed the first number. She turned her back to them as it rang. Cross watched her shoulders stiffen as she launched into her story. “Don? It’s Tessa.” Silence. “I know, I know. Listen, I don’t have time to explain, but I can’t reach Sanchez, and I need help.” More silence. “He’s where? D.C.? Of all the times to leave town. Whatever. I need your help. I know where Rodriguez’s shipment is. Yeah. The exchange is going down tonight. Midnight.” Tessa made her voice sound tight, like she was scared. She probably was, so maybe it wasn’t a stretch.
She turned toward them. She had her game face on now—calm, sharp, calculating. But there was something raw under the surface. There was a tightness in her jaw that wasn’t there before. She was just as worried that this wouldn’t work as they all were.
“I’ll text you the address. Can you bring backup so we can get these bastards? But keep it on the down low. Only people you really trust. I don’t want this bastard to get away.” Silence for one, two, three beats. “I can’t go into it all now. I just need help. Are you coming or not?”
A minute later, she hung up. “He’s in.”
Stone turned to Frankie and Riven. “He’s yours. Here’s the address. Park down the street where I showed you earlier, and you’ll have a clear view to see who shows up.”
McGuire was clenching his fists and his jaw, but he knew they all had to be where the drugs actually were, just in case Rodriguez found out earlier than they planned.
Tessa seemed to sense his and Stone’s growing stress level. “Don’t worry,” she said to both women, but glanced in the direction of the two men, “Don Ripply is a good guy. I only put him on the list because he technically could have had access to the intel I supplied. I’ve trusted Ripply with my life before, and he’s always come through with flying colors.”
“Okay then,” Riven said. She gave McGuire a quick kiss and then started toward the door. Stone walked Frankie and Riven out.
Tessa picked up the next phone and started the process all over again.
“It’s Billy,” Cross said. His phone had dinged with a text announcing their arrival right before Tessa began the second call.
Billy pulled the eighteen-wheeler into the warehouse and closed the door after him. He and Wallace climbed down from the cab.
“No issues?” McGuire asked.
“None,” Billy confirmed.
“I hate to send you out again so fast, but I need you two at this address. Keep a low profile. Let us know who turns up.” McGuire sent a text to Billy’s phone.
Tessa pulled a picture up on her phone. “This is the cop we’re looking for. Let us know if he shows up. His name is Oscar Fuentas.”
Billy nodded. Then he turned to Cross. “We’re gonna get our girl back and when we do you and I are gonna have a little chat.” He quickly shot a glance at McGuire. “No offense, man, but you seem to be caught with divided loyalties in this situation. I don’t have that issue, so Cross and I are gonna settle a few things.”
Cross nodded but remained silent. There was no point in engaging now. Billy was Drew’s best friend, and Cross didn’t blame him one bit for being pissed. He would take whatever Billy wanted to dish out, but he wasn’t looking forward to it. Billy made Dwayne Johnson look small. The two men left through a small side door, and Cross turned back to Tessa.
She made the last call and then turned to Patch and Savvy. “I’ve sent you a picture of the last cop. Craig Winslow. And I sent the address. You know what to do.”
“Yep,” Patch said, and the pair headed out.
Cross glanced at his watch. Time had slowed to a crawl. He wanted Drew back safe in his arms. Rodriguez had messed with all of them. He’d taken Drew. Shot Stone. Hunted them like animals. And now, after all that, the bastard was planning to flip the script. Cross was not going to let that happen. This was their one shot to get Drew back. And he wasn’t going to waste it.
