Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Well, fuck.
Phoenix didn’t know what ambush Gibson was referring to. If it involved Parker, Smyth, or someone else. Where it was happening. All he knew was that Gibson was gearing up for a fight to rescue their team. That meant Phoenix was gearing up, too. Was going in, wherever the risk.
He didn’t waste time firing questions at Gibson, just gave the man the “hold on” signal, then darted back to his room.
Phoenix already had his Sig tucked in his holster, but no way he was going anywhere without more mags.
He grabbed his vest, quickly shuffling everything around until he was ready.
Had an extra knife stashed in one of the pockets—that Havak Seekins rifle he’d borrowed from Bishop slung across his back.
Just in case. While he would have preferred his AXMC, it was too cumbersome for close quarters.
And he doubted he’d need to hit a target three clicks off.
Less than a minute, and he was back in Olivia’s room. Everything strapped in. He gave Olivia a once-over, thankful she had a Walther tucked into a shoulder harness. Some extra magazines in a belt around her waist. What looked like a few knife hilts sticking out of another pocket
He wasn’t sure how he felt about the knives.
Not because he questioned her skill. More because they generally involved closer combat styles.
She could afford to throw one or two, but, unless she could get them back, she’d have to save the others until she could land a hit without losing them.
That meant being within arm’s length of her opponent.
No problem. He’d just make sure he capped anyone who got too close to her.
Because after finally clearing the air, he wasn’t about to lose her, again.
He might not phrase it that way. Might not be able to tell her he loved her.
They hadn’t really said it before, and he knew now wasn’t the time.
Didn’t change the fact that he did. That he planned on spending the future with her.
Even if that meant moving across the pond.
Seeing if he could enlist in MI6—whatever it took to have her back.
Gibson nodded at Phoenix’s gear, handing them each an earpiece. “We’ll run quiet, but in case anyone gets into trouble...”
Phoenix held his arm out when Olivia went to move past him, motioning to the Kevlar covering his torso. “Where’s your vest?”
She scrunched up her nose, looking far too sexy in the process. “I don’t have one.”
He would not yell. He wouldn’t. Maybe she hadn’t been able to bring it with her from London. Maybe Bishop hadn’t had one her size in his vault. “All right. You’ll wear mine.”
She scoffed, stopping him from undoing the Velcro straps on his shoulders. “Are you daft? I’ll be swimming in yours. Besides, I can’t move the way I need to wearing a vest.”
“You can’t move, at all, if you’re dead.”
“This isn’t my first encounter with armed men. I’ll be fine.”
“Of course, you will, because you’ll be wearing my vest.”
“Ethan…” She softened her voice. “How about I promise to let you two gents go first. Block all the bullets.”
“Like you’ll stick to that.”
“She will, won’t you, Livy?” Gibson nudged his arm. “And she’s right. She can’t fight if she can’t move.” He held up his hand. “I’m sure you’ll drop anyone who looks at her funny.”
“Damn, straight.” Phoenix huffed. He hated this but, based on how edgy Gibson was, they didn’t have time to argue. And his vest would be huge on her.
He leaned in close. “Stay behind me.”
The little minx kissed him. Just a quick peck on his mouth, but it did something to his insides.
Made his stomach quiver, his heart kick over.
And he knew he’d do anything to keep her safe.
That, if it came down to it, he’d choose her over his teammates.
What he hadn’t been able to do at the warehouse because, this time, it was real.
She wasn’t a promise he knew would be broken.
She was right there. Where he could sacrifice his life for hers, if needed. Take any bullet aimed her way.
Gibson chuckled. “You two done? Need to get a quick shag in, first?”
“Fuck you.”
“Thought you said I couldn’t handle all of that?”
“I did. And you can’t. So, how about you tell us what we’re up against.”
“On the way, yeah?”
“What about Bishop?”
“I sent him to protect Coen, just in case he gets targeted. We’ll rendezvous once we have our mates back safe and sound.”
Gibson made for the door, scanning the hallway before moving out. He headed for one of the exterior exits, checking each direction before stepping into the night. A strong wind blew across the snow, dropping the temperatures well below freezing.
Gibson stayed close to the building, following a path around to one of the remote emergency exits on the main lodge.
The same exit Phoenix and Gib had been investigating today.
Something about tracks leading in and out that shouldn’t be there.
What Gib suspected was proof of an alternate agenda at work.
Phoenix had questioned Gibson on it, but the Brit had been strangely quiet.
Muttering something about wanting more intel before leading them on what could be a wild goose chase.
All Phoenix knew was that they hadn’t uncovered an entrance within the facility that corresponded to the same location.
What he assumed was another secret level below ground.
Maybe one the other members weren’t privy to.
That might be the reason they couldn’t get a lead on this Parker guy—he was never actually part of the rest of the summit.
More likely, he’d spent the entire retreat in the bowels of the facility.
Gib stopped just back from the door, counting down from five on his hand. They darted forward when he hit zero, scrambling beneath the camera panning the front of the exit. Gib used a unit similar to what Olivia had been carrying the previous night—most likely disengaging any alarms in the process.
It took the man a minute before a light on the keypad flashed green, the lock inside the door clicking over.
Gibson made a few hand signals, then slowly opened the door, using another small device to scan the stairwell.
He pointed it at the camera, then they were in.
Closing the door behind them and descending the stairs.
Phoenix waved Olivia ahead, keeping her between him and Gibson. Not that Gibson’s vest looked as robust as the one Phoenix had, but at least the Brit had some protection. Phoenix doubted Olivia’s jacket would stop anything stronger than a fly.
Gibson continued down until they reached another door. He moved to one side, motioning Olivia and Phoenix in beside him. He put that first unit against the door but didn’t punch anything in, turning to look at them.
Phoenix nodded at the keypad. “So, do we get to know what’s going on before we face what’ll likely be a dozen armed mercenaries on the other side of this door?”
“I think there’s more men than that, mate. And we don’t have time for the bigger picture.”
“Then, skip the director’s cut and lay out the basics. You said Dungeon and the others got ambushed.”
“I’m assuming that’s what happened. I was upstairs looking for a way down here.
Wanted to confirm my suspicions from this morning.
That’s when I heard a group heading my way.
I managed to blend in before a bunch of armed arseholes came bustling into the room.
They were dragging Dungeon, Relic, Priest and that Blackburn guy.
All of them were bleeding. Barely conscious.
Blackburn looked the worst. The tangos must have jumped them in one of the lower levels.
I’m pretty damn sure Bishop said the visitors aren’t allowed any weapons down there. As a show of good faith.”
“Shit.” Phoenix nodded toward the door. “How many did you see?”
“Ten. All heavily armed. But I know there were more. I heard voices coming from below when they accessed the panel. I would have taken them out, then, but… I didn’t have enough supplies.”
“Let me guess, you only had six knives.”
“It’s like you know me. And yeah, not nearly enough, especially with our mates in questionable condition.”
“Do you know why they were grabbed?”
“Something about that thumb drive Crow gave Slader. From the sounds of it, we were setup from the start. But that’s a discussion for later. Right now, we’ve got a rescue mission to focus on.”
Phoenix glanced up the stairwell. “I’m surprised there weren’t men guarding the exit.”
Gib smiled then shrugged. “There were. I took care of them before I grabbed you. They’d just checked in, so I’m hoping they won’t be missed for a while.”
“Then, open the damn door, and let’s go get my brothers.”
“Not so fast, Vale. Once we go in, there’s no turning back. And there could be a couple of dozen men inside. You sure you’re up for this? Might get us all killed.”
“Looks like Cannon was right. This is exactly my kind of assignment. And we all know not going in, isn’t an option. That is why you came and got me, right? You knew I’d never back down.”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t. Okay, we’ll go in, stay low. Try to pick them off one at a time. Work our way to wherever they’re holding our mates.”
“I’ll take point.” Phoenix held up his hand. “This isn’t up for debate, Gib. You and Olivia hang back. Pick off the stragglers.”
“If they see or hear you coming…”
Right. Like that was ever going to happen. “Trust me. They won’t know there’s a threat until it’s too late.”
Phoenix shifted enough to give Gibson space to input the codes and get the door unlocked. Miller grabbed the handle, slowly cracking it open. No men, just a long dark hallway with another corridor at the end. What might be doors on both sides.