“I monitored the building for over three hours,” Ryder said. “Only two people came in and out. One of them matched Brennan’s height and build. The other is approximately six feet, athletic build, unknown identity. I didn’t get a clean enough shot of him for facial recognition.”
“Two people guarding four hostages? Holed up in an abandoned building?” Siren asked in a skeptical tone. “That’s not how cartels operate.”
“Is it possible the feds were correct when they determined the cartel had moved on?” Hunter asked.
“From the information we’ve acquired, it appears to support the theory that the cartel is no longer supporting Brennan. Which means we aren’t facing a full tactical team,” Dom said.
Axel returned the image on the screen to high-resolution overhead photos of the property. “These are the approach routes,” Dom said, pointing to the screen. “Main entry team approaches through here. Trees get us within fifty yards of the structure without being seen. We hit the primary entrance at first light when visibility is best, and they are likely to still bedrowsy. We are going in close and fast. Breach, overwhelm, extract.”
“Rules of engagement?” Blaze asked from the kitchen.
“Hostage extraction is our priority. Everything else is secondary. If Brennan or his associate threatens the hostages, you are authorized to use lethal force. If they surrender, we take them alive. But those hostages come out breathing no matter what.”
Dom caught everyone’s eye in turn and held it. The room was hushed by silence. Dom checked his watch.
“We move at 0400. We hit the target at approximately 0600. Ryder maintains drone coverage throughout with thermal overlay and real-time communications.”
Brie shifted on the couch, and she made a strangled sound in the back of her throat. “What about the bakery? What if they come for me and Hunter’s gone?”
“The bakery stays closed. You will stay at Steel Protection headquarters with Valeria. Text your employees and let them know there’s a maintenance issue in the building, and the bakery will be closed for the day. Keep it vague.”
“But they’re watching me . . .”
“If there are only two of them, it is unlikely there’s been surveillance since the cartel left,” Hunter said.
“Blaze,” Dom said, turning to his pack mate. “You’ll stay here with Brie and Valeria. If this goes sideways, if we don’t check in by 0800, you fall back to the safehouse.”
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Hunter kissedBrie’s forehead in the darkness of his bedroom as she lay under the covers in bed. She stirred, and her hands gripped his tactical vest, holding him like she might never let go.
“Come back to me,” she whispered against his mouth.
“Always.” The promise scraped from his throat. He’d do whatever it took to keep his mate safe from the poison spreading through their world.
Downstairs in the parking lot of Steel Protection, the tactical vehicles sat waiting in the pre-dawn darkness. Hunter climbed into the lead SUV beside Dom, while Siren and Axel took the second vehicle. Hunter’s wolf prowled beneath his skin, eager for violence, for resolution, for an end to the threat against his mate. Beside him, Dom radiated calm, but Hunter could smell the aggression building in his alpha too. They all wanted blood for what had been done to their adopted community.
At 0515, they reached the staging point, an abandoned logging road half a mile from the target. The team assembled in the darkness, checking weapons and comms one final time.Hunter’s fingers moved over his gear by muscle memory. Sidearm. Knife. Flex cuffs. Tactical flashlight. Everything exactly where it should be.
“Ryder, launch the drone,” Dom ordered.
The soft whir of rotors filled the air as Ryder’s drone lifted off, its thermal camera painting the world in heat signatures on his tablet screen.
“Three guards visible,” Ryder reported, his voice tight. “One more than expected.”
Dom considered for exactly two seconds. “We proceed. Hunter and I take the front. Axel and Siren cover the rear.”
They moved through the forest. The trees thinned ahead, revealing the barn’s hulking silhouette.
That’s when the smell hit him. The chemical sharpness of ammonia and cat urine. His wolf recoiled, recognizing the scent of the drug. It permeated the air around the barn like invisible death.
They reached the final position, fifty yards of open ground between them and the structure. Dom held up his fist. Wait. Hunter’s muscles coiled, ready to explode into motion. Every second Sophie remained captive was a second too long.
At exactly 0600, Dom’s fist pumped forward. Go.
They moved as one fluid unit, crossing the open ground in seconds. Hunter hit the door first, his shoulder driving through the rotted wood like it was paper. He rolled left as he entered, weapon up, scanning for threats.
