Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
They were crazy. Not just Ethan. All of them.
Cannon, Dungeon, Crow, Gibson, Bishop, Priest and Relic—who was already walking around as if he hadn’t nearly died twelve hours ago.
That new guy, Bram—Link—seemed keen, too.
Even Becca and Devlyn were borderline insane because in less than an hour, they’d devised a plan.
One in which they were going up against whatever forces were hiding in the abandoned ghost town.
And all because Ethan would have their backs.
Olivia wasn’t sure how she felt. Not because she didn’t trust his team, but because she knew how Ethan operated. That he’d hold his position until everyone on his team was out. Even if it cost him his life.
Especially, if it cost him his life, because that’s who he was.
The last line of defense. The one who’d go down if there were sacrifices to be made.
Sure, he’d hinted that he was thinking about the future—about them possibly having one—but that wouldn’t stop him from jumping in front of a bullet, or ten.
The fact he’d headed off on his own the moment they’d decided they were taking a run at Parker hadn’t helped ease the prickly feeling beneath her skin.
At least, if she’d flown him in, she’d have had the semblance of control.
That she could pick him up, if needed. But he’d refused.
Had implied that they needed a vehicle for backup in case Parker got away and made a run for the airport at Townsend.
Ethan’s crew never went into an op without a plan B.
Well, Olivia would just have to ensure that she was plan B.
That she’d be there to get everyone out if things went off the rails.
She didn’t care if the weather sucked. If she could get shot down.
She’d see they made it home, or she’d die trying.
Not the best option, but if Ethan insisted on riding that edge, she would, too.
“Hey.”
She turned at Gibson’s voice, giving him a nod. “Hey, yourself.”
“You okay?”
“Perfect, why?”
“I know that look, Livy. You get it when you’re about to do something completely barmy.”
“Says the man about to infiltrate what could be an entire squadron of former-SOG arseholes. Trust me, flying is the easy part.”
“Except when the weather is utter rubbish, and we both know you won’t simply return to base if this op goes tits up on us.”
“Will you bow out if things get messy?” She gave him a sweet smile. “I didn’t think so.”
“Livy...”
“I’m not leaving Ethan’s team out there without air support.”
“You don’t have any weapons on that chopper, love.”
“Relic’s gonna be my gunner.”
“Relic’s not supposed to leave the bloody house. He’s half-dead.”
“Which means, he’s still half-alive.” She held up her palm. “Talk to them, Gib. I’m just the pilot.”
“Fat-fucking-chance you’ll simply fly in and out. I know you.” He huffed, running a hand through his hair. “Just, don’t make Vale have to bury you twice. The kid won’t survive that.”
“I’ll settle for him simply surviving.”
“Then, see your arse does, too.”
She crossed her arms over her chest when Cannon walked up beside her. He looked between them, obviously waiting to see if now was a good time to interrupt. If they were done.
Gibson huffed, then stalked off, his displeasure marked in the stiff line of his back. The tap of his boots when he generally didn’t make any sound.
Cannon sighed. “Miller doesn’t look happy.”
“No one’s shot at him for hours. He’s probably having withdrawal, already.”
“I’m not sure what’s scarier. That what you said is true, or that I’m a bit jealous of how dedicated he is.”
“You’re all dedicated. You’ve just learned how to balance your life. Miller’s still in that all-or-nothing phase. Your team ready?”
“Ignoring the fact Relic shouldn’t even be standing up...”
“Technically, he’ll be sitting in the helicopter.”
“No wonder you and Vale play so well together. You’re both insane.”
“None of you are any saner.”
“You sure you’re okay with the weather? And the darkness? The mountains...”
“I’ve got it. You just stop Parker and whoever else is involved before we have much graver issues to deal with. I’ll have your six.”
“I know you will.” He turned then stopped, glancing back at her. “Phoenix has one of those comms you guys were wearing. Gibson left one for you, just in case the kid needs a lift.”
She smiled her thanks, joining the men gathered in the room. The gnawing in the pit of her stomach a cold reminder that Ethan wouldn’t call for a pick-up. That he’d likely die before getting on another helicopter.
Not her fault. He’d said that, and he hadn’t been lying.
She just wished he trusted her more than he feared crashing, though, she couldn’t blame him.
Not when he’d lost everything in the last one.
Had suffered through three months of hell thinking she’d been killed.
That he’d been left to pay the ultimate price—surviving.
She pushed the thoughts away as she nodded at Cannon’s crew.
“It’s been ninety minutes. Ethan will be in place or at least close.
We should head out before Parker clears everyone out.
We’ve only got another five hours until that plane arrives in Methow.
Which leaves us just about three before they have to bug out. ”
Cannon waved at the door. “Lead the way. Let’s just make sure we take this bastard down. It’s time we were done with this threat, once and for all.”
Ten minutes.
Just like back at that shack, waiting for Olivia to reach the peak—be at risk. Only, this time, the stakes were so much higher. All of his crew on board, about to embark on a mission that, honestly, was crazy. Because...
There were upwards of thirty more men at the small base hidden beneath camouflage netting and old, run-down buildings. All heavily armed. What looked like body armor. Night vision goggles. There were sentries and patrols, and Phoenix wouldn’t be surprised if the entire area was wired.
The only saving grace was that Olivia should be fairly safe. She’d have to drop the men off a few kilometers away in order to avoid being heard, which hopefully meant she wouldn’t be a target. At least, not at first.
Cannon had briefly conveyed their plan before Phoenix had parked the truck—gone in on foot.
Relic would remain onboard the chopper—armed with a damn fifty-cal courtesy of Bishop and his vault of office supplies—in case they needed backup, while the rest of the team hoofed it in along the tracks the snowcat had left behind.
They’d try to eliminate personnel one at a time until they were able to secure safe retrieval of the boxes.
Crow was technically in charge. As part of the NSA, he was the only one with a legal right to be there.
Had quickly created a special operations group with Jericho’s boss in the Marshal service to give them some semblance of authority.
But Phoenix knew Crow would default to Cannon’s lead if needed.
Not that there would be much discussing.
After years of humping missions together, they all knew the plan. How to execute their part.
Which was Phoenix’s cue to hunker down—map out his targets.
He’d only arrived fifteen minutes prior.
Just enough time to make a quick nest. Ensure he blended in.
Had a couple of Mylar blankets pegged out above him.
After enough time, some heat would leak out the sides, but he didn’t plan on being there that long.
God, he hoped Parker didn’t have any drones.
With the weather constantly changing, it wasn’t likely, but Phoenix wasn’t taking any chances.
Not when his team would be vulnerable. They could try to mask some of their heat signatures, but it wouldn’t be ideal.
Especially with the surrounding landscape in a deep freeze.
Well, Phoenix would have to make sure he eliminated any threat before it had a chance to hurt his brothers.
Like the sniper five hundred meters in front of him off to the south.
He’d be the first tango Phoenix eliminated.
Followed by the other three spaced out in an arc.
Thankfully, they were all on the same side of the canyon as him.
Covering the area his buddies would infiltrate.
The only way in without some kind of snow machine.
Timing was crucial. If he eliminated anyone before his team arrived, he risked having the snipers miss a critical check-in.
Might have reinforcements show up, or worse.
.. Have Parker assume they’d been compromised and bug out.
Get too much of a lead for Cannon to follow.
Even if Olivia picked them up, the last thing they needed was a showdown at the airfield and what would likely be more tangos on the plane.
Another slow sweep mapped out five more men he’d cap as his team progressed through various checks. Most on the perimeters. They were pushing the limits of Phoenix’s range, but Cannon had faith in him. Phoenix wouldn’t let the man down.
Hearing a faint whop perked him up. Had him searching the skies to the east. If he hadn’t known Olivia would be out there, he never would have spotted a brief glimpse of the helicopter through the scope.
A flash of metal just above the trees before it disappeared into what he suspected was a clearing.
He strained to hear more sounds, but there weren’t any.
Just another hint of something moving close to the treetops then nothing.
But he knew she’d be out there. Close by.
Either parked on some cleared road or on the snowcat tracks.
Where no one would happen upon her, but she’d be only a minute away.
Ready to risk her life to extract them. And with Relic as her gunner, she’d be one hell of a force for Parker’s people to deal with.
Until someone launched a few missiles her way.