The underground radar device had worked as designed, picking up on the hidden tunnel beneath Radcliff’s property within minutes of use. And just as Ryker had claimed, the data recovered transmitted immediately to his contact near the border, who then called Ryker’s SAT phone with exact coordinates to the tunnel’s exterior entrance.
“How much farther?” Gabe asked Ryker who was a step behind him.
“The home’s foundation should only be about twenty yards ahead of us.”
“Fucking tunnels, man,” Nate grumbled. “Does everyone in this godforsaken country have them?”
“No shit.” Matt made a throaty sound of agreement.
Ryker smirked at the two men. “Only the criminals looking for a way out.”
Gabe was thankful as fuck this tunnel existed. It brought him hope when he’d thought he had none.
Ignoring the throbbing pain in his head from where debris had struck him earlier, he vowed, “This asshole isn’t ever getting out.”
With their eyes peeled, the men kept their guns up and their trigger fingers steady as they continued down the cool, narrow corridor. Just up ahead, Gabe’s tactical mounted light revealed what he thought at first to be a dead end. A second later, he noticed the shadowed entrance on their left.
“Stay alert,” he ordered the other men. Through his com, he listened to Ghost’s conversation with Truck.
“Hey, Truck. Any activity outside?
“Negative.” The big guy sounded bored.
“We’re coming up on the house. Keep an eye out for runners.”
“Copy that.”
“Hey, Hollywood,” Zade spoke up, too.
“Yeah?”
“How’s the leg?”
Hollywood grunted. “Barely needs a band-aid, brother.”
“Good to hear it.”
It was good to hear. Gabe hated the thought of any of these men—his or any others—getting hurt on his watch. The thought made him wonder about Walker and whether or not he was still alive.
The bastard was like a bad fucking penny, always managing to get out just before all hell broke loose. But something told Gabe Walker’s luck may have finally run out.
A month ago, the possibility would’ve damn near made him smile. Ironically, there was a part of Gabe who actually hoped the asshole was still alive.
Something moved up ahead. The sound was slight, but enough to tear Gabe from his thoughts.
He held up a fist to signal the other men to stop walking. They waited. Listened. Enough time went by, Gabe had all but convinced himself he was hearing things when a gunshot echoed down the tunnel toward them.
“The fuck?”
Ellena!
Gabe held his gun high, ready to shoot Radcliff or any of his bastards the second they came into his sights. The eight men clustered together…him in front, the others two-by-two, and Ghost picking up the rear.
Hurried footsteps and whispers reached Gabe’s ear, and his heart pounded against his ribs as he prepared to take a shot. When he saw yet another tributary ahead on their right, his gut told him whoever it was would be waiting for them there.
A mental debate began…do they announce their presence, or no? He decided against it for fear that if it was Radcliff and Elle was with him, he’d shoot her and run.
If she’s even still alive.
