Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
“ISR just confirmed seven heat signatures grouped together on the second level of the mansion. Same location where we’re picking up a transmission from Elaina’s earrings,” Jessica announced over her headset on the old British military helicopter they’d borrowed from Emily’s brother’s company.
Owen had picked up Liam, Luke, Jessica, Emily, and Knox, and they were en route to the final location where the rest of their crew remained on standby three klicks from Elliott’s position—a home registered under a shell company owned by Connor Grady’s brother-in-law.
According to the satellite images, the mansion had a wall of trees surrounding the property on one side, and a closed-down golf course on the other. Total privacy just northwest of the city center of London.
Liam repositioned his earmuffs with the built-in headset and asked, “How many in total are we talking?”
“Eight guards outside. Three at the back of the home, and three positioned at the front,” she responded. “Heavily fortified walls, which include two overwatch towers on the east and west sides of the property.”
Owen began his descent to their LZ—a field on the other side of the abandoned golf course, far enough away from notice of the mansion.
“We’ll use the chopper to exfil the targets if they make it out alive. Owen can land on the eastern part of the golf course near the gate when we’re ready for him,” Jessica said. “And our British friends are on their way to serve as our QRF if needed.”
Liam tensed as he eyed Emily sitting directly across from him. She was keeping her shit together pretty damn well. He hated she was so close to the action, but he didn’t want to risk her staying at the safe house with Jared on the loose.
Liam grabbed hold of Emily’s hand once the helicopter landed and they exited. He pulled her to his side, worried she’d forget about the blade at the back of the chopper as it died down, not wanting her to walk into it.
She’d changed out of her gown and into Jessica’s clothes—jeans, a tee, and a lightweight jacket. Good call on Jessica’s suggestion of the jacket given how Emily was now hugging her body as if cold. Probably nerves, too.
Harper and the rest of the team closed in on their position a few minutes later and parked near the chopper.
“What’s the plan?” Harper asked once they were together. “They have a ton of arms and explosives. AKs. RPGs. You name it. Assume the last two shipments Connor picked up from the port had the same equipment recovered the other night.”
“We’ll need to do this fast,” Jessica said.
“Is there any other way?” Knox asked.
Luke set a map of the property atop the hood of the Jeep Rubicon off to his side, and A.J. shone a light on it. “Wyatt and Liam will take out the guards in the east and west towers,” he said while pointing. “Assume overwatch in the towers after.”
“Similar setup to Argentina then?” Knox looked to Jessica since Luke hadn’t been on the op to rescue Elaina.
“It might work,” Jessica replied, but she didn’t sound confident. “But if the guards manning the gate hear or see you shoot the tower guards, they’ll alert Elliott and his men on the inside.”
“I don’t want someone holding a gun to Elaina’s head.” He couldn’t take that risk.
“What if we wait?” Emily asked, and everyone, including Liam, looked her way. “I don’t like the idea of leaving Elaina at that place for longer than we have to, but security might be laxer after—”
“We don’t know for sure if Elliott plans on sending Hans back to NORAD, or if he’ll have Hans help him at this site,” Liam said.
“We assumed Elliott didn’t grab Hans before because he needed Hans on location at NORAD, but maybe he was waiting for this moment.
Kill Vanessa. Announce to the world he was now owner and CEO of Blackburn. Make a flashy statement.”
“Elliott was probably planning on grabbing Hans from the gala and putting a gun to his head tonight, but when they learned about Elaina through his friend they decided to add insurance to their plan,” Harper pointed out.
“Elliott won’t risk killing Hans or Elaina, even once they know we’re on scene—as long as we get in there before Hans helps him,” Luke said. “Well, if Hans chooses to help him, that is.”
“So, what’s it gonna be, boss?” A.J. stood off to Luke’s left, flashlight stowed, waiting for orders.
“Remember that op in Dublin four years ago? The one with the drunk woman asking for directions at the gate?” Asher asked. “Would that work?”
“Emily’s not going in.” Liam stepped closer to Asher, his pulse picking up.
“No, of course not.” Asher held a gloved palm out.
“Harper was at the gala tonight. We can’t send her in,” Jessica said. “It’ll have to be me.”
Asher turned from the group and lowered his head as if the idea of sending the love of his life directly into danger was now an idea he regretted presenting. Of course, Jessica had been the “drunk woman” in Dublin, too, but the stakes were higher now.
“I’ve got this.” Jessica pressed a hand to Asher’s shoulder and glimpsed Luke off to her side. “Once they open the gates, I’ll shoot the guard, then Liam and Wyatt take out the guards on overwatch. We ride in after that.”
“You sure?” Luke asked.
“Harper can handle comms. If you guys need QRF—”
“I’ve got this,” Harper interrupted her. “You can count on me.”
“No one dies tonight. We all get out alive.” Liam’s eyes connected with Emily, and he motioned for her to follow him to the other side of the helo so they could have a moment alone.
She tightened the belt of her lightweight jacket. “I know you won’t let anything happen to Elaina.”
He removed one glove and brought his palm to her face before leaning in to kiss her.
“We’ll get her out,” he said when their lips broke. “I promise.”
And it was a vow he’d die to protect.