Chapter 25
Eight hundred meters away, Ryan lay on his stomach and stared through the scope of his sniper rifle as he watched the two teams infiltrate the compound and get into position.
They didn’t know he was there. No one did.
He was too far away for anyone to even know he was watching, and that’s just how he wanted it.
This was the only way Ryan could be there for his friends and Brick without betraying his position as chief of police. It wasn’t exactly noble, but it was the best compromise he could come up with. He didn’t have a spotter, but that was fine. And, hopefully, they wouldn’t even need him.
He thought of his badge in his back pocket and knew that if things went sideways and he was caught, he would lose his position.
While Ryan loved being a cop, he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if he hadn’t come to help.
And if that meant he got fired, then so be it.
He would find another job somewhere. At least his conscience would be clear.
Ryan had chosen the building because of its location, but also because it gave him a vantage point where he could look down upon the entire compound.
The fact that he’d used his badge to get into the structure and onto the roof was something he had done before.
Now, he used the scope to look down at Taryn, Boyd, and Brick as well as the three other guards.
It didn’t take Ryan long to find a member of Jace’s team atop an adjacent roof. Cash, also wearing all black, was on another roof. Two teams. A good move. One he would’ve made, as well. Then again, all of them were highly trained ex-military with plenty of experience.
“None of my friends are going to die today,” he whispered. Then he moved the scope and looked at Brick. “And neither is my cousin.”
Clayton sat at his desk, listening to the COMs with his hands steepled.
Abby paced the office, twisting her hands nervously.
He didn’t bother to tell her to sit down.
Her brothers were out there. And though Cooper and Jace weren’t blood, they were part of their unit, which meant whoever they gave their hearts to was also part of their ever-growing family.
Abby paused and swung to face him, her big blue eyes meeting his. “They have to pull this off.”
“They will. Look what they’ve done before.”
“It wasn’t this.” She sank onto the sofa and dropped her head into her hands. “I knew they put their lives on the line in the military. It was easier then because I didn’t know about their missions and wasn’t able to listen in.”
Clayton rose and walked to his wife. He sat beside her and put an arm around her as he pulled her against him. “They’re good at what they do. I wish I was younger. If I were, I’d be right there with them.”
“I know. Part of me wishes you were there to look out for them, but then again, I’m glad you’re here.
” She sniffed. “We’ve been so lucky. All of us.
The closest we came to losing anyone was when Jace was knocked on the head, and Cooper was locked in the building rigged to blow. I’m worried we’ve run out of luck.”
He rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Do you really think I’d send any of them out there without some kind of backup? Doc is on standby, ready and willing to use his chopper however and whenever necessary.”
“Doc is only one man. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but they need more.”
“They have it.”
Abby’s head jerked to him. “What?” she asked breathlessly.
“I said I called in some favors. What I didn’t say was who those requests went out to.”
“Honey, please don’t keep me in suspense.”
“A select group of retired SEALs is in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They’re nearby. The moment they hear from me, they’ll move in to help the boys.”
“Oh, thank God,” Abby said as she dropped her forehead against him.
He gave her a squeeze. “They’re my family, too. If I can’t be there to help them, I’m going to make damn sure someone is.”
“I know.” She lifted her head. “Thank you.”
“Thank me when all of this is over. I just hope it’s enough.”
Abby released a deep breath. “I wish Ryan and Danny were involved. I know why they aren’t, but it doesn’t seem right.”
“You didn’t see Taryn’s face. If Jace hadn’t backed her up on not telling the authorities, she would’ve left.”
“I realize that. And Jace never would’ve seen her again. But I also know Danny.”
Clayton frowned. “He wouldn’t call it in to anyone. He doesn’t know when or where. Besides, he wouldn’t put his friends in a situation to be arrested.”
Abby shook her head. “I’ve been so worried about them dying that I hadn’t thought about them being arrested. Thank goodness we know a good lawyer. Leslie Ross handled Skylar’s situation perfectly. She’s great at her job, as well.”
“Let’s not call Leslie just yet,” he cautioned.
They looked toward the speaker on his desk when the word Eldorado came through. It was the final code, letting both teams—as well as Clayton—know that they were in place and ready. All they were waiting on now was Payton.
Clayton rose and walked to his desk. He glanced up to see Abby pacing the office again.
For the first time, he understood what it was for his commanding officers to be at the command center while he and his team were on missions.
Frankly, he’d much rather be out in the field.
Listening and waiting was worse than being in the midst of the action.