Relief washes through me, cold and clarifying.These aren’t just club kids anymore, they’re trained operators with combat experience most of my brothers can only imagine.
“You got room for two more in this party?”Trenton asks, his tone deceptively casual.I can hear engines revving in the background.
“Hell yes,” I say without hesitation.“Women’s shelter, north side.Xavier’s being held there, likely with others.Unknown number of hostiles.”
“Copy that,” Matthew’s voice cuts in, deeper than Trenton’s.“We’ll come in quiet from the east.Give us your twenty when you’re in position.”
“Roger,” I respond automatically, falling into their military precision.“And, guys?They’re using a pregnant woman as leverage.”
“Understood,” Trenton says, all business now.“See you in five.”
The call ends and I kick my bike to life, the engine’s roar matching the fury building in my chest.If Riggs’s people have touched one hair on Xavier’s head, there won’t be enough left of them to bury.
I hit the main road at ninety, the wind tearing at my clothes, my mind cycling through tactical approaches.The shelter has three entrances: the main door in the front, a service entrance in the back, and an emergency exit on the east side.Security cameras cover all approaches, but if they’ve already neutralized the prospect on duty, they’ve likely cut the feeds.
Grey calls as I’m two minutes out.“In position south of the shelter.Butcher and Demon are with me.Your mother’s setting up triage at the clubhouse in case things go sideways.”
“Trenton and Matthew are joining,” I tell him, the words still feeling surreal.The boys coming home, stepping up when it matters most.“They’re coming in from the east.”
“The SEAL boys?”Grey’s surprise is evident even through the phone.“Thought they were still deployed.”
“Not anymore,” I say grimly.“And they brought toys.”
I slow as I approach the shelter, cutting my engine and coasting the last hundred yards to minimize the noise.The building looks peaceful in the morning light with no signs of disturbance, and no indication of the danger lurking inside.That concerns me more than if there were obvious signs of trouble.This was planned, calculated.
I text Trenton my position and receive an immediate response.In position.East side clear.Two tangos spotted through thermal, room 12.Three heat signatures inside.Two seated, one standing.
Three heat signatures.Xavier, Daphne, and someone else, likely Riggs’s father based on what Jason said yesterday.At least Xavier and Daphne are both alive.
My phone buzzes with another incoming call.Vinny this time.“In position,” he says without preamble.“I’ve got eyes on the room through the window.Older male, gun to the girl’s head.Xavier’s in the chair by the door.No visible injuries to either.”
Relief crashes through me so intensely I have to grip my bike’s handlebars to stay upright.Xavier’s okay.For now.
“What’s the play, boss?”Vinny asks, his voice steady.“I’ve got a clean shot if you want it.”
I consider our options.A sniper shot would be clean, though efficient, but risky with Daphne so close to the target.And if there are more of Riggs’s people nearby, the sound could trigger a firefight with Xavier and Daphne caught in the crossfire.
“Hold position,” I decide.“I’m going in through the front.Grey’s team will cover the back exit.When you hear the commotion, be ready to take the shot if needed, but only if you’re absolutely certain it won’t hit Daphne or Xavier.”
“Copy that,” Vinny confirms.“Be careful, Zach.These guys aren’t playing around.”
I tuck my phone away and check my weapon one last time.The weight of it is familiar, comforting in a way that should probably concern me more than it does.But right now, that gun and the brothers surrounding this building are the only things standing between Xavier and death.
I text Grey,Moving in.On my signal.
Then I approach the front door, not bothering with stealth now.If they’re expecting me to come alone, which they must be, based on Xavier’s forced invitation, then appearing to comply might buy us the advantage of surprise.
The front door isn’t locked, which confirms my suspicion that the security has been compromised.I step inside, scanning for threats.The prospect who was on duty is slumped against the wall, blood matting his hair, but his chest rises and falls steadily.Unconscious, not dead.
I move silently down the hallway, every sense hyperalert.Room twelve is at the end, door closed now.I can hear muffled voices inside, a man’s angry tone, then Xavier’s calmer response.My Xavier, steady even with a gun in the room.
I text the group,In position.Moving on room 12.Three, two, one…
Then I kick the door open with enough force to send it crashing against the wall, my gun already raised and aimed at the man holding Daphne hostage.
“Let her go,” I say, voice deadly calm.“Now.”
“Slaughter,” the man holding Daphne sneers, pressing the gun harder against her temple.“Right on schedule.And all alone, just like the doctor said.”
