I flash him a grin—mean, hungry.
“Guess we’re crashing a fucking engagement party.”
SEVEN
DREDYN
Iopen the door to the SUV before Talon even has a chance to put it in park, and Talon and Jasper step out after me. In the back seat, Zane leans forward with a grin as he slides out with Beck, following quietly, and Knox after him.
Zane bumps Jasper with his elbow. “Let’s go save our girl, Terminator.”
“Not your girl.”
I translate out loud. “He said she belongs to Talon, Jasper, and I. Keep up, bitch.”
Zane beams. “I fucking love him.”
Zane adjusts his suit jacket. “If the Syndicate is going to kill me tonight, I at least hope it’s a hot guy that does it.”
I scoff in response, but it doesn’t even phase Zane as he examines himself in the side mirror.
Jasper rolls his eyes discreetly, hands shoved into his pockets, while Talon just exhales slowly, a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Relax, Z. If some masked freak decides to choke you out, I’ll make sure he buys you a drink first.”
Zane lights up. “See? That’s the energy I want tonight.”
“Focus,” I mutter, because if I let them keep going, we will never get inside.
I shut the SUV door harder than necessary and feel the vibration echo up my arm. We are in Syndicate territory. Their playground.
My hell.
But she’s inside.
“Team Eyes—Zane, Beck, Knox,” I say. “You circulate as guests. Blend in, listen, watch the Syndicate faces. You see a mask glitch or a pattern repeat, you call it in.”
Zane lifts his hand. “Question. If I see a hot guy with a mask, do I report it or?—”
“Report it,”Jasper signs and I translate for the group.
“Fine,” Zane mutters. “Cockblockers.”
Talon snorts.
I continue. “Team Extraction—me, Talon, Jasper. We stay near exits and the loading dock. No one gets Mara out but us.”
“And Team Support,” Beck adds.
“Rook,” I confirm. “Car running in the back alley. He doesn’t leave that wheel.”
“Wait, you’re telling me we’re storming a political engagement party, in a Syndicate-monitored building filled with rich people, and you don’t want my help with the getaway?” Zane says.
“No. I want you as far away from anything important as possible. You’re here to look pretty and spy. That’s it.”
He beams. “So, you think I’m attractive. Got it.”
I don’t bother responding. My patience is shot.
