“I’ve had a drone circle the area, and we’ve confirmed he’s got your girl inside the house.” He spared a quick, apologetic glance in my direction. “From the limited vantage point, she’s in and out of consciousness.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“Battling whatever drugs she’s been given.”
“I’ve got men on the ground; they’re breaching the perimeter, but it takes patience. Arizona’s safety is our top priority, and the last thing we want to do is spook the guy.”
“Thanks, Leif, I owe you one,” Jaxon said as I briefly wondered about their connection.
He nodded at my brother. “Let’s gear up and go over the plan for approach.”
“My team detected the scent of gasoline as they approached the house, and the front entrance is rigged with explosives.”
“Who the fuck is this guy?” I questioned as a chilling fear twisted tightly in my chest.
“Ex-military went rogue. That part of his identity was locked down tight, but nothing gets past our hackers.”
“And Ari, any updates on her condition?”
“Here.” He handed me a small silver tablet. “Proof she’s fine for the time being.”
“This live?” My anxiety doubled down as I scanned my eyes over her, tied to a chair. “Yes, a drone the size of a bug is on the window sill.”
“What about audio?”
“Working on that now, but he’s growing increasingly agitated. Time isn’t on our side here.”
My eyes were darting back and forth across the property, taking in the scene and possible escape routes, when Arizona’s voice came through the tablet’s speaker.
“Please, just let me go,” she sobbed.
“Fuck, Fuck, FUCK!” Dixon screamed as he pulled at his hair and paced frantically in front of Arizona. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this; you were supposed to be mine. You were there to meet me.”
I watched as he forcibly kicked the legs out from under the chair, which sent Arizona crashing backward, pinning her arms behind her as she screamed out in agony. He then straddled her upper body, adding even more weight and tension.
“You’re just a whore, aren’t you? You think men are just pawns to manipulate?”
“No, I never?—”
“Stop lying!” he yelled with increasing venom. “I saw you that night.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she cried, tears streaming down toward her ears.
“I said stop lying! I saw you from the window. I saw you and the firefighter, the same guy you asked to tell me you weren’t interested; I saw him on his knees for you in the back room, and what did you do? You fucking manipulative whore, you teased him. Women like you don’t deserve to be with a man like me.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right, I’m?—”
He punched her in the jaw before switching to her ribs as she tried in vain to jerk her body away from him.
“We need to move. We have to get to her, and we have to do it fast.” I looked pleadingly at Leif.
“Let’s spread out, approach the house from different angles,” he spoke into his coms.
An ear-piercing shrill rang out seconds later, causing us to drop and cover our ears. Leif and his team had ear protection, but Jaxon, Boden, and I were left to fight through the horrific noise. When it finally ended, the ringing in my ears left me feeling off-balance until I opened my eyes and saw a fire quickly spreading around the perimeter of the house.
The grass was dry, and the house’s exterior was covered in wood that had been sprayed with gas, given how fast it ignited before us.
Fuck stealth mode. I was sprinting at full speed toward the house when it exploded before me, and the weight of the blast propelled me backward, flying through the air until I landed with a harsh thud on the ground. Shockwave after shockwave rippled through the ground as different bombs detonated.Shards of glass rained down, as did the place’s construction, while thick, heavy plumes of orange and black smoke lit up the night sky.
