Page 152 of Jay Bird

That answer did nothing to make Jay Bird feel better.

Before he could respond, Nails approached, pulling off his gloves as he came toward them.

Jay Bird immediately straightened. “Well?”

“We’ve got the two primary devices isolated. EOD found a secondary trigger on one, but they've neutralized that too. They’re doing another complete sweep before anyone touches those doors.”

“How long?”

Nails stared at him.

Jay Bird knew that look.

“How long, Nails?”

“As long as it takes for me to make sure opening that fucking door doesn’t kill whoever’s inside.”

The words landed exactly where they needed to.

Jay Bird closed his eyes briefly and nodded. “Yeah.”

Nails’ expression softened. “We’re going as fast as we safely can, brother.”

“I know.”

And he did. That was the worst part.

If it were only his life at risk, Jay Bird would’ve ripped the damn doors open himself two hours ago. But if Lily and Willow were inside, his impatience could kill them.

So he waited. It was the hardest thing he had ever done.

When the final all-clear came, the sun had dropped lower over the port, throwing long shadows between the endless rows of containers.

Jay Bird had spent countless hours waiting for missions to begin, sometimes crouched in darkness while intelligence changed by the minute. He knew how to control his breathing, slow his heart rate, and focus on what mattered.

This time, every bit of that training was being tested.

Derek stood nearby with Bear and Ace while law enforcement prepared to breach the container. Several paramedics waited farther back, ready to move the second they were given permission.

Nails came over the radio. “Devices are clear. EOD sweep is complete.”

Jay Bird adjusted his grip on his weapon.

Derek looked directly at him. “You stay behind the entry team until they call it.”

Jay Bird didn’t argue.

That alone probably told Derek how serious he was about keeping his shit together.

The team moved forward. Jay Bird went with them.

The closer they got, the harder it became to separate himself from what might be waiting behind those steel doors. He pictured Lily curled against Willow, probably terrified and crying. He pictured Willow trying to comfort her while scared out of her mind herself.

The heavy locking mechanism was removed.

Jay Bird’s pulse pounded in his ears.

One of the doors was pulled open several inches, then wider. Flashlights cut through the darkness inside as the entry team moved into position.