By now, the body count had most-likely alerted Radcliff, as was expected. Gabe was ready to face the bastard and make him pay for what he’d done.
They all were.
Matt, Nate, Kole, and Zade all moved as one, quickly forming a strategic stance in order to cover Gabe. Ghost’s team remained in place, ready to take down anyone who came out the back door.
It was easy.
Too easy?
As if reading his mind, Zade said, “Something’s off. This is too easy.”
“You think it’s a set-up?” Matt looked at the younger sniper.
“Say again?” Ryker said between gunfire.
“Something’s off,” Zade repeated a bit louder. “There aren’t enough guards. No one’s even firing at us. It’s too fucking easy.”
Gabe continued toward the covered porch and motioned for his guys to go low. “I’m going in.”
“Pull back, man.” Nate stopped walking. “Zade’s right. It’s a trap.”
Gabe swung his head around. “We don’t know that.”
“Think about it.” The man’s analytical brain kicked in. “Why else would they allow your girl to have been seen so easily? Radcliff’s been baiting us this whole time. Shit, we took out how many of his men and no one’s come out to try and stop us?”
“I think he’s right, Dawson,” Ghost chimed in. “I think Radcliff is using us to get rid of his own fucking guys.”
“No witnesses.” Nate raised a brow.
“You’re right.” Gabe nodded. “You guys shouldn’t get hurt because of me. Fall back and cover me.”
“Wait. You’re still going in?” Zade stepped toward him.
He stared back at his team…his brothers…and nodded. “I’m not leaving without her.”
Gabe had no more stopped talking when a shot rang out, off to his right.
“Shit!” Ryker yelled through his com. “I’m hit.”
Fuck. “Matt, go check it out.”
“No!” Ryker ordered. “It’s just a scratch. Keep your positions. I’m good.”
Refusing to waste any more time, Gabe gave his team a final nod and headed for the house. He made it five more feet before the house exploded into a giant ball of smoke and flames.
The blast blew Gabe and his teammates off their feet. All five men landed in the grass several yards back. Ignoring the sudden throbbing in his head, Gabe immediately stood up and started running for the house.
“Ellena!”
God, no. No, no, no!
Matt caught up to him and tackled him to the ground. “It’s too late, man. We need to pull back.”
Blood ran into his eye, but Gabe didn’t care. He pushed at his teammate, determined to get to Ellena. “Get the fuck off of me. That’s my wife in there!”
“I know, but…” Matt’s face filled with sorrow as he kept his hold strong. “There’s nothing we can do now. Man, I’m sorry, but she’s…gone.”
Gabe’s entire world stopped spinning. His heart stopped beating.
