Which is smart. I know it is. If the intruder is coming upstairs, Angel needs to be as quiet as possible. Butfuck. I want to hear her voice. I want to know she’s really okay.
We’re only one street away when Max puts down his phone. “Enzo’s on the way. He’s calling the others, too. We’re going to have plenty of backup. And I’m sure the police will be here soon.”
In truth, I don’t give a shit about the police. The police have to follow rules. Procedures. Me, on the other hand… if I get my hands on the person who broke into Angel’s house, all bets are off.
“Just turning down your street,” I tell Angel. “Almost there.”
With a final punch of the gas, I turn onto Angel’s street. It’s dark, save for several porch lights still burning and the familiar TV-glow flickering through a couple of windows. And then there’s Angel’s, five houses down, with all the lights out as if she’d been in bed when I called her.
“Thirty seconds,” I promise. “Just pulling up to your house.”
I don’t bother shutting off the headlights. I don’t shut off the engine as I approach. Stealth doesn’t matter right now. The only important thing is getting to Angel before anyone hurts her.
I’m already reaching into my console to retrieve my gun before the car even stops moving. Thankful I use a fingerprint scanner for the lock—so I don’t have to screw around with a key or a code—I have my Sig out in seconds. I check the ammo, then look over at Max, who just did the same.
“You don’t have to come in,” I say. “I can go by myself.”
He scowls at me. “Fuck that. We’re both going in.”
As we jump out of the car, I listen for sirens. But so far, there’s nothing.
“Two entrances,” I tell Max. “One into the living room at the front, and one to the kitchen in the rear. The backyard is fenced in, but there’s a gate.”
Max nods. “I’ll take the front. You take the back, since you’re more familiar.”
I jerk my chin in agreement. “That works. Ready?”
His gaze is dark and solemn as it meets mine. “Ready.”
Lifting my hand, I hold it up for a moment. Before I put my phone away, I say into it, “I’m right outside, Angel. I’ll be right there.”
So soft it’s almost inaudible, she replies, “Be careful.”
Determination floods through me. My jaw sets. My muscles prime for an attack.
Then I glance over at Max and lower my hand.
We spring into action, racing across the lawn.
My heart is a thunderous drumbeat in my head.
All the years. All the ops. All the cases solved. But none have ever felt as important as this.
I have to reach her in time. I have to.
CHAPTER 12
ANGEL
“Clear!”
At the sound of Ronan’s voice, a tremendous breath rushes out of me.
“Clear!” a familiar voice replies. At first, I can’t place it. But then I remember.
Max. I heard Ronan talking to him in the car. I just never imagined that Max would come inside with him.
“Any sign of the intruder?” Ronan calls out. It sounds like he’s upstairs, though it’s hard to tell, tucked away in the cubby like this.
