Chapter 45
November 29, 1982
23:00
Downtown St. Louis, Missouri
“We’re all clear on the plan,” Ortiz said as she looked over the trio of soldiers in front of her with a steely-eyed gaze.
Hazard stood between Jax and Lance Corporal Baker, who’d they’d borrowed from team Sierra Six. Intel had finally provided information on Ice. They didn’t know who had him, but they knew where he was. With that info, they’d immediately sprang into action. The chopper had brought them here — to a field bordering a failed business district. On the other side of the field stood an empty office building.
“Our only mission tonight is to recover Ice. If you come across any intel on the way out, grab it. But until we have Ice in hand his rescue is your only priority. Anyone who gets in the way is considered hostile. Take them out with extreme prejudice.”
Dylan flexed his fingers again and again, champing at the bit to be let loose. He was dressed in a pullover shirt and drawstring pants. Ortiz hadn’t been surprised when he’d walked into the ready room, dressed in the uniform meant for shifting. He and Ice might not be mated, but Ice was a member of his pack — the one he was closest to. His lover. Hazard’s omega instincts demanded that he go after him as a wolf. And if anyone got in his way, he’d rip them to pieces.
Ortiz gave him a nod. “Hazard. You’re good to go.”
Hazard nodded back. He swiftly kicked off his shoes and yanked his shirt over his head. He was still in the process of shoving his pants and briefs down when he shifted. Once he was in wolf form, Jax came over and strapped on his protective gear.
“Let’s go find our packmate,” he said in a fierce whisper.
Hazard yipped once before they set off running toward the high-rise. On all fours, Hazard was faster than everyone else. He had just enough presence of mind to hold himself back from racing ahead. It’d be foolish to rush up to the building on his own. Besides, he wouldn’t be able to open the door with his paws.
As they crossed the parking lot, his nose picked up Ice’s scent. It was faint and old, but Ice had definitely passed through here. They reached the building’s entrance without incident. Hazard impatiently prowled back and forth, waiting for Jax to breach the door. The second it was open, Hazard sniffed the air. He breathed in Ice’s scent, fresh and live. The captain was still here.
Hazard threw back his head and howled, letting his pack mate know he was coming for him.
They moved inside, splitting up into two groups to search for Ice. Hazard with Jax and Ortiz working with Baker.
At the noise of their entrance, two guards appeared in the lobby. Hazard locked eyes with one of them. He growled deep in his throat. His hackles rose, lips peeling back from his fangs.
“Oh shit!”
The guard cursed and stepped back. He tried to turn and run, but Hazard sprinted forward and leaped...
* * *
“What the fuck are you looking at?”
“You,” Ice calmly replied.
He’d been watching Number Two for a few minutes, taking mental notes as he readied himself to escape. He had to do it now while he was down to one guard. Especially since his guard had grown sloppy. Two was rocked back on the two rear chair legs, head resting against the wall, rifle loose in his grasp. Ice was judging whether or not he’d be able to break himself free of his restraints before Number Two was able to get himself sorted and shoot him. Probably. But there was an easier way.
“Well stop,” Two snapped in annoyance. “Creepy fucker,” he added under his breath.
Ice lowered his head as if he was cowed.
Satisfied, Number Two returned to his lazy pose. He even let his eyes drift shut this time.
Ice stayed quiet for only a few seconds before he spoke again.
“I have to piss.”
Number Two cracked open one eye. “Wait until Three gets back,” he said before closing his eye again.
Ice cursed under his breath. He’d wanted Number Two to release the tape around his wrists and ankles first and a bathroom break was the only time he would do it. Unfortunately, that was a no go. But a little duct tape wasn’t going to stop him when he only had one guard to get past — and a lax one at that.
He tensed to make his move but at that exact moment, a howl echoed through the building.
Ice went still. He recognized that howl. He’d heard it desperate, heard it playful. And now, he was hearing it filled with fury.
Hazard was here.
That could only mean that his team was on site to get him out. Ice smiled behind his mask. He raised his head and looked at his guard. Number Two was alert. He’d put all four chair legs on the floor and turned to look at the door. The howl clearly had him on edge. Ice had a very small window of opportunity to utilize the element of surprise while Two was otherwise occupied.
He leaned forward and raised his bound hands as high as he could. Then, he yanked them down, slamming his wrists against his lower back. At the impact, the tape binding his wrists ripped apart, freeing his hands. He stood up from his chair. Just as Number Two caught wind of his movement and turned to him, Ice dropped down in a sharp squat. He shoved his arms between his knees at the same time, forcing the tape around his ankles to break as well.
Number Two gaped at him. “What the fuck are you doing?” he stupidly asked.
“Leaving.”
Before Two could get his gun up, Ice sprang forward. At the height of his jump, he pulled his fist back, punching Two directly on the jaw when he landed. The single blow knocked him out cold. Number Two flew back against the wall, then slowly slid out of his chair to fall in a heap on the floor. Ice went over and took his rifle from him.
Somewhere in the building, Hazard howled again. This time Ice threw his head back and howled in return to let his partner know where he was. It wasn’t long before he heard both boots and paws running down the hall.
“Ice!” Jax shouted from the other side of the door. “You in there?”
“Yes.”
“Get clear!”
Ice moved to the side. Seconds later, the door exploded off its hinges. A familiar black wolf was the first to enter his prison. Hazard’s head swung around when he caught the scent of the guard in the room. His lips pulled back from his teeth in a snarl and he took a step toward the guard.
“Down, boy,” Ice ordered. “I already took care of him.”
Hazard backed off. He padded over to Ice and rubbed his muzzle against his leg, whining softly in greeting. Smiling fondly down at the wolf, Ice scratched the top of Hazard’s head, his fingers sliding through short, black fur.
“You mobile?” Jax asked.
“Affirmative.”
Jax nodded. “Then let’s move out.”
* * *
Get this armor off me. Hazard impatiently demanded once they’d made it back to the ex-fil point.
Jax came over and released all of the buckles and straps securing the vest and head covering to him.
As soon as he was free, Hazard ran at Ice. He leaped, shifting in mid-air so that when Ice caught him in his arms, he was back to human form. The scent of happy wolf bloomed all around them as Hazard wrapped his limbs around the big alpha in the tightest hug.
“You’re safe,” he whispered in relief.
Ice squeezed him back equally as hard.
“I am.”
Hazard tucked his face into his lover’s neck, breathing in the smell of sweat and the alpha’s cedar scent. It settled all of the stress and fear that had been twisting his guts into knots.
“For fuck’s sake, Hazard. At least put your goddamn pants on,” Jax said with a laugh.
Hazard shook his head, still holding on to his alpha like he was a koala. “I don’t give a fuck about pants right now,” he said.
Ortiz laughed. “Guess the cat’s out of the bag with you two.”
“Does that mean we can stop pretending like we don’t know they’re a thing?” Jax asked.
“Might as well since they’re hugged up all naked.”
Hazard snorted a laugh, but he finally loosened his hold, letting his legs fall from around Ice’s waist. He meant to drop to the ground, but Ice held on to him for a few seconds longer. Hazard was perfectly happy to dangle there, extending their hug.
“I got you back, sir.”
“I knew you would,” Ice said roughly.
Now Ice let him go. His feet on the ground, the two of them shared a long look. Hazard saw so much emotion in those lovely dark eyes. He wanted to say something, but now wasn’t the time. They needed to get back to base. Hazard swallowed hard and turned to his squadmate. “Where are my clothes?”
Baker pointed. “You flung them over there.”
Hazard jogged over and grabbed up his uniform. The second he was dressed, he returned to Ice’s side, this time checking him for injuries.
Ortiz smiled at them both as she got on the radio.
“Major Ortiz to flight. We’ve secured the package and we’re ready for ex-fil.”