Blaze stepped back, arms over his chest. “This place has two floors, each segmented into two wings. Where do you think we should start our search? I can pick up heat signatures all over that place, a mixture of male and female from what I can tell, which isn’t much help.”
Dane picked up the tablet, his brow furrowed as he studied the image. “He’ll want to keep her away from whoever isn’t in the know, but he’ll also want her accessible without having to go through all kinds of hallways to get to her.” He dropped into silence for a bit as he stared at the screen. Then he gave a curt nod and pointed. “Here. It’s toward the back of the house, away from the drive. It’ll be quieter. This other wing looks like it’s the main house. Probably got family there, people he doesn’t want involved.”
Elvis nodded, keeping his eyes on the screen. “Makes the most sense to me.”
“Then that’s where we go,” Dane said, his voice full of confidence.
Blaze glanced around at them as he took the tablet from Dane. “All right. You all head down the riverbank while I get the security cameras on a loop. By the time you reach that dock, I’ll have everything set. It’ll also give Gage time to get in place. Just let me know when you want me to block the front gate.”
“If we send him in just before we head in from the river, it might draw their attention away from us for a bit.” Grim looked around at them for agreement, arms still over his chest.
“Smart,” Dane said, and then he patted Blaze’s back. “Get the loop set and then get closer. When I give the signal, you park that thing right against the gate.”
Blaze grinned as he moved to the side of the SUV. “Now that sounds like fun.”
“Just be careful,” Dane said as he motioned the others to follow him.
Elvis sighed before he followed Dane. It was time to take care of business and get his girl back.
Grim stepped up beside him, glancing over briefly. “You know, back in the day, you usually said some silly Elvis Presley quote or song lyric before we started an op.”
“Did I?” Elvis kept his focus on the ground in front of them.
“Yeah, you did,” Gage said. “Every single time. So, what gives now?”
Dane glanced at him, the corner of his mouth quirked in a smirk. “Let’s not jinx the op. Give us something.”
He was quiet for a moment as they walked, the cool breeze coming off the river tousling his hair. He felt a great weight in his chest as he thought of the men beside him, thought of Hawk who was at Obsidian Analytics, and Sage and the other ladies back at headquarters in Biloxi. He wouldn’t be who he was without them, wouldn’t be there right then about to rescue the love he had thought he’d lost.
“I know we stand by each other,” he said, his throat catching with his emotions as he forced the words out. “And I’d just like to say, ‘Thank ya, thank ya very much,’ for everything.”
Dane glanced at him, a small smile turning up his lips, as Gage hit him on the back. “Now we got success.”
As soon as they stepped into the river, Elvis felt the icy feeling that shocked his body. This wasn’t the cold of northern rivers or lakes. No, this was Florida water, which ran deep and shaded, fed by springs that really didn’t care what time of year it was. The faint sweetness of cypress filled the air as it stained the water. They remained in the river to stay hidden by the trees, but hugged the bank as much as they could.
The last of the evening light dipped down into the horizon, casting even darker shadows that would mask their approach. This time of night was great for moving without being seen, which was exactly what they needed right now.
Dane took the lead and Grim brought up the rear, leaving Elvis pinned between them. Elvis cut a quick glance over his shoulder, but Grim merely nodded, a rage burning behind his eyes. He wanted revenge as much as Elvis did.
They moved slowly, making sure their footing was sure before putting weight on it, the soft mud of the river bottom quite often unsure. Elvis kept his gaze fixed on the pale shape of the estate’s eastern side, which became more defined the closer they got to the dock.
And then they were there, sooner than expected, but much longer than Elvis wanted. They eased out of the river, water dripping from their pant legs and boots. They kept an eye out for exposed roots as they moved through the river grass with slow movements that left no sound nor any ripples as they approached.
He stepped up beside Dane with Grim a step behind him. All three of them hid in the tree line, weapons down as they ran their gazes over the property in the failing light. There was about forty yards of open lawn between the river and the house’s rear terrace. They’d be exposed except for a brick wall running along the back of the property.
Dane looked at each of them. “We ready?”
Elvis and Grim both nodded.
Dane glanced back at the house and hit his earpiece. “Blaze, head for the gate. Make sure that loop is on. We’re heading in.”
“You’re good. I can’t keep people from spotting you if they’re out there, but I can keep their cameras ignorant. Good luck.”
Elvis glanced up at the wide expanse of grass that stretched between them and Delaney. “There’s only one light on. Seems strange.”
He glanced at the others. “No one gets out.”
Grim nodded. “Let’s go get your girl.” He headed to the western side of the house while Elvis and Dane headed for the lit window.
