The words reverberated through her, steadying her hands. Dani knew plenty about failure, but surely all the wild, impulsive tendencies had been trained out of her by now. “Any other words of wisdom?”
“Yeah. Stay focused on this moment. We’re a team, and right now, you’re here to learn and watch my back.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Macy had gone out of her way to show Dani the ropes over these last weeks of on-site training. Dani wanted to show her favorite instructor that all the extra hours of training had been worth it.
But surely a little giddiness was justified. She was on the cusp of having everything she wanted.
Finally.
This new career would turn everything around. And this sting would set up that career. She could head to her top choices of Miami or New York. Maybe Boston or Los Angeles. The bigger the city, the better the chance she had at making a difference. Maybe then she wouldn’t be remembered as a catalyst for disaster.
“Don’t get in the way, squirt.” Blake Clarkson patted her on the head as he marched by in his all-black tactical gear. His buddy Reese laughed as they all piled into the back of the van transporting them to the scene.
“Could you be any more condescending?” Macy shook her head at them.
But Dani didn’t need Macy to fight her battles for her. “They’re only worried I’ll beat them again like I did in Hogan’s Alley.”
Despite Dani’s efforts to connect with all the other trainees at Quantico, Clarkson had never liked her. He was built like a tank, solid and thick, but he was not what anyone would call “a team player.”
He sneered. “I’ll say it again, Kim. You don’t belong in the field. You barely passed the physical requirements.”
“And yet I managed to bring you down in the ring a time or two.” She gave him a saccharine smile and held on to the bench as the van turned a corner.
The other agents chuckled.
“Whatever. We both know you’re better suited for the desk than the field.”
“What’s the matter? Worried I’ll show you up and get a better assignment?” She schooled her face to hide the irritation and keep it pleasant. Great practice for that future undercover work. This would hopefully be the last op she’d ever have to do with him.
“As long as you’re not the one covering my back.”
Rather than take the bait, Dani went through the blueprint of Prince’s mansion in her mind. Looking out the dark-tinted van windows, she watched the tall skyscrapers morph into suburbia. Everyone piled out of the vehicle as soon as it stopped. Two more vans pulled up next to them in the abandoned lot a block away from Prince’s property.
“Listen up.” Special Agent Metcalf stood in the middle of the group, hands on his hips. “Beta group, take the front. Alpha, you’re backing them up. I want Delta and Epsilon covering the rear. Gamma is waiting on standby. No breaching until I give the word, understood?”
“Yes, sir!” The other agents and rookies answered in unison.
As part of the Epsilon team, Dani stayed on Macy’s tail as they maneuvered around the house to the back. Dani skirted around the leafy shrubs, sticking as close to the building as she could. As Macy moved past, more than one branch slapped Dani’s arms, but she didn’t react. Macy stopped at the back corner of the house. She held up a fist, and the line of agents froze.
She turned to them and spoke in a low voice. “Kim, stay and cover this side yard. Rick and team, you cover the pool area. I’ll watch the back exits. We move into position once they breach. Got it?”
They all nodded.
This was it. Anticipation built, but Dani forced her pulse to stay steady.
Commands crackled through the comms. “Breaching in three, two, one!”
Pounding from the front. Beta group must be infiltrating now. Using hand signals, Macy indicated for Dani to stay on the side of the house while she and the others continued into the backyard. Rick and three of his agents sneaked off to the back wall and a small shed beyond the pool. More yelling came from inside the house.
“He’s making a run for it!” The desperate voice sounded through the comms. The chaos of pounding feet and panicked screams tempted Dani to peek around the corner and see the action.
What if they needed her?
“Hold your position, Kim.”
Could Macy read her thoughts from across the yard?
