Gage knew Jo had directed that question at one person.
“Within the hour.”
Meridian stood, triggering the rest of them to do the same. His time frame was tight to rally all they needed for a mission of this caliber.
But no one argued.
“Intel and Tactical will continue strategizing during flight.” Corvo said, “Let’s move.”
The clacking of Jo’s heels paused a few feet down the hall before she turned around.
“Meridian,” she said firmly.
No one moved.
“Do what you do.”
Meridian didn’t respond.
The facility’s voice sounded overhead, as if it’d understood and interpreted Meridian’s cold silence.
“Attention: Multi-team deployment activated. Field code: Black Reaper. Threat level: Red. All assets mobilize. Sixty minutes to launch.”
White Ravens
Scar
Scar waited at the threshold of their division with his team dressed and battle-ready behind them.
Gage stood in front of him with his cane retracted and gripped in his hand like an AK-47, not an aid. Two batons were secured to his reinforced tactical fatigues at his thighs.
Scar tucked Gage’s gold cross behind his white Kevlar vest, then caught the edges of his hood and pulled it up and over his head.
He touched his forehead to his for a moment and just breathed him in.
He cupped Gage’s jaw and kissed him, gentle and chaste, keeping his craving under control.
“This wasn’t how I wanted to spend our wedding night,” he said roughly.
“I know. Me either, but this is what we do.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “So let’s go do it.”
Gage lifted his hand and kissed the gold band he’d slipped on his finger six hours ago.
“Scar, agreeing to be your partner in the field, protecting you, and falling in love with you was the best decision I ever made. Now, fighting beside you as my husband…will be my greatest honor.”
Scar didn’t trust his voice.
I love you, his heart whispered.
“All right, boys. Let’s get our heads in the game,” Roz said, already in handler mode. “It’s time to roll.”
He and Gage walked side by side, the Whites’ field team moving as one unit behind them.
Roz clicked on his radio and mumbled, “Whites are mobile.”
They entered the area called the Raven Concourse—a lobby-style nucleus where each division’s elevators opened.
