Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Atlas moved away from the computer to pace. Anxiety fired up and down his legs, urging him to do anything but stay in this fucking building.
The guys continued to work and once again, he was thankful as hell he wasn’t doing this alone.
“I’ve got something,” Rogue said, pulling the penlight from his teeth and making his way across the office.
Atlas met him in front of the desk. “Found this file under a tab marked Properties,” he said, pointing at the paper in his hand. “Looks like he owns a couple of commercial buildings in Panama City and another house in Nicaragua.”
Atlas accepted the paper and stared down at the property value assessment. It was for a twenty-five-acre island off the coast of Panama. “This has to be where he’s taken her.”
“My thoughts, too.”
He placed the sheet on the desk then took out his phone and punched in the coordinates. In seconds, his device had mapped out directions. “We need a boat. We’re about thirty minutes from the harbor.”
“We can take the heli,” Havoc offered, as Rogue tucked the paper back into the filing cabinet.
Atlas shook his head. “They’ll hear us coming a mile away. We need to sneak in unnoticed. We don’t know how many men he’ll have with him.”
“We’ll bring the drone,” Rogue said.
Atlas checked his watch. It was after 1:00 a.m. In a few hours, getting to the island without being spotted would be more difficult. “Let’s go now.”
They strode out of the building and made it to the SUV in five minutes. Their gear was in the back—all they needed was one more important item.
“Tell me someone has access to a boat,” Atlas said.
With Phantom Ops’s connections, they could get their hands on any mode of transportation needed from private rental and security companies. But these things were typically booked well in advance.
Last minute and in the middle of the night—well, that wasn’t promising.
“I might,” Rogue said, taking his phone from his pocket. “My buddy Anton has a speedboat. Gimme a minute.”
Viper steered them through the streets of Panama. The roads were quiet in this area, which was relatively far from the nightlife strip and touristy spots. Heavy raindrops splattered on the windshield.
Christ, how had he fucked up so bad?
Molly might be dead. Gone.
Sold.
The sharp pain of her absence stuck in his ribs and tore at his chest with every breath. He hadn’t known Molly long, but damn she had a chokehold on him. He braced his elbow on the door and stared out of the window. The ocean, lit by the cityscape, spilled between buildings.
Rogue was on his phone in the back seat, but Atlas couldn’t focus on a word he was saying. He prayed he wasn’t too late. That they found Molly unharmed. The odds weren’t in his favor, but he’d never stop searching for her.
He thought of her sweet, tinkling laugh. Of how scared and roughed up she’d been when they’d found her in Rex’s jungle villa.
But her spirit had burned brighter than the North Star, which was visible outside of his window. The memory of her swinging the jagged edge of a broken plate at his neck nearly brought forth a laugh.
Molly was a fighter.
She wouldn’t give up.
She’d survive. Above all else, Molly would survive. That little piece of comfort was all he could hang on to until—
“Go to the harbor,” Rogue said. “Anton’s lending us his boat. He’ll meet us there in ten.”
Atlas heaved a sigh. “Good.”
Thank god.
He took out his phone and brought up the satellite image with the island’s coordinates. Rogue had said his friend had a speedboat. If his calculations were correct, they’d reach Willy’s island in less than an hour.
As they got closer to the marina, the city lights fell behind them. This area of town was even quieter than the neighborhoods they’d passed on the way. Boats rocked gently in the harbor. Rain still fell heavily.
Viper found a parking spot and pulled in. They all got out. Atlas retrieved his rifle from the back and slung it over his shoulder. The others grabbed their weapons as well, and Rogue picked up the case holding the drone.
“Where’s the boat?” Atlas asked, hating every blasted second he couldn’t get to Molly.
“Don’t know. He’ll be here in a few.”
Ring, ring, ring
Viper dug into his pocket. Worry puckered his face as he looked at the screen of his phone. “It’s Reaper. He might have news about Wraith.”
“Put it on speaker,” Rogue ordered.
He tapped the screen. “Hey. We’re all here. How’s that bastard doing?”
No one smiled. Atlas clenched the strap of the rifle. The need to run, move, and get to Molly was almost blinding, but fear for his friend and comrade kept him frozen.
He couldn’t take any loss right now. Wasn’t in the right state to process. And if for some reason Wraith had lost too much blood—
“His ugly face will live to see another day,” Reaper announced. “So will his leg.”
“As soon as I’m outta this shithole I’m putting my foot up your ass,” Wraith called to Reaper. His words came out stringy and slurred.
“They gave him the good shit. He’s flyin’ higher than a kite right now.”
Rogue cracked a smile and Havoc and Viper laughed. Some of the tension left Atlas’s body. Despite the dire circumstances, he was grateful Wraith was all right. And he’d be sure to voice adequate words as soon as he could.
“How’re things going there? Got any leads on Molly?”
“Got a damn good one,” Viper said. “Should have her home in a jiffy.” He threw a wink Atlas’s way.
Atlas grimaced, wishing like hell he could believe those words. Headlights stretched into the lot and a sedan cruised to the parking spot next to their SUV.
“Gotta go. Give Wraith a kiss from Rogue.” Viper hung up.
Rogue smacked the back of Viper’s head, earning another laugh from the big oaf.
A man got out of the car. The lean dude jogged toward them pulling the hood of his coat over his head. “Y’all are crazy going out in this.”
The guy smiled at Rogue and fell into step with him. They led the way to the docks.
“He’s got a point,” Havoc said with a grunt. “I hope we don’t run into a bad storm. Water looks rough as it is.”
Atlas didn’t even glance at the water lapping and splashing below the wooden planks. He didn’t give a shit if they hit a storm. He was going out on that water whether any man here liked it or not.
Anton stopped at one of the speedboats sheltered beneath a roof. Atlas stepped under the enclosure and only half listened to the boat owner’s precautions.
When Anton was done talking, he slapped the keys in Rogue’s hand. “Don’t smash my boat if you can help it.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Anton didn’t laugh.
They got in the boat and Rogue fired up the engine.
“Life jackets, guys,” Anton said impatiently from the dock. “Come on. Didn’t you hear a thing I said?”
“Yeah, don’t crash the boat.” Rogue smirked and steered out of the enclosure.
Atlas took the bench near Rogue, bringing up the coordinates on his waterproof satellite phone once again. As his boss increased the boat’s speed, the rain came down harder. The droplets were like nails on his skin.
Viper and Havoc sat near the back of the boat while Atlas shouted directions at Rogue. After fifteen minutes the rain slowed. They continued, the light from the bow illuminating their path. Nothing but rippling water stretched as far as the headlight.
Atlas watched their dot move over the map. He checked his watch. Molly had been gone for hours. His chest cinched at the thought of the email offering up Molly to a buyer.
He could only hope that the poor weather would’ve deterred anyone else from coming out this way. His stomach bunched in knots with every passing minute.
There were a lot of things Willy could do to Molly before he sold her. Atlas clenched his jaw. He’d kill the bastard. Tear out his fucking lungs and beat his face to a pulp. When he was done with Willy, there’d be nothing left of him for the authorities to prosecute.
Wind whizzed past his face, and he had to dip his head to avoid the spray from the waves, but at least they weren’t being pummeled by water from every angle anymore.
His clothes were soaked, his vest heavy. None of it mattered.
I’m coming, Molly.
They cruised over the water for another half an hour—and damn he was glad Rogue wasn’t shy about speeding. His body rocked and swayed.
When they got close, he tapped Rogue’s shoulder, and his boss cut the engine.
Silence replaced the roar of the motor. Waves lapped gently at the side of the boat as they bobbed in the wake.
“Get the drone,” Rogue ordered.
Atlas stood and walked the few steps to Havoc and Viper. Viper already had the case open. The drone was military grade and waterproof.
Within minutes they’d launched the robotic spider skyward. Viper passed him the shock- and water-resistant tablet.
Atlas flew the machine toward shore. They’d stopped a good mile from the island.
If anyone had heard their boat approach, they’d hopefully assume it’d passed on by.
On the screen of the tablet was a dock along with a small cliff and bundles of trees and forest. The house came into view, cloaked in the mountain like an exotic fortress.
He slowed the drone and hovered it high above the property, taking in the images on the screen. Along with the shape of the building, the device would pick up heat signals. There were four red- and orange-colored forms stationed around the perimeter. Some moved as if pacing, others were still.
Inside the house were a few more bodies. Two were lying horizontally. He hoped one of them was Molly.
Because if her body was letting off heat, she was sure as shit alive.
And, according to the drone’s reading, alone.
“How many guards inside?” Viper asked.
Atlas counted. “Looks like three or four inside and six outside. We’ve got two unmoving sources inside the house. One’s gotta be Molly.”
Viper grinned and elbowed him. “She’s alive then. Told ya.”
“Looks that way,” he replied cautiously. Until Molly was safe with him, he couldn’t make assumptions.
“Bring the bird back,” Rogue ordered.
He steered the drone toward them. A few minutes later, the machine descended into the boat, the whir reaching his ears only when it was directly overhead. Atlas landed it on the deck and Viper scooped it up.
Rogue turned on the motor, kept it on its lowest setting, and drifted them toward the island. After a minute or two, he cut the engine.
“Hope you boys are ready for a swim.” Havoc snickered as he tossed an anchor overboard.
Viper groaned. “Man. Can’t we just take the boat around the other side of the island? How far are we swimming?”
“Quarter mile.”
“Fuck.”
Atlas shot Viper a disapproving look. “Really? You thought we were just going to sail right up to their dock?”
“I’d have landed our heli on their roof if it were up to me. There’s sharks and shit. Jellyfish. I don’t want to be fish food today.”
“You’d satisfy a whale better,” Havoc said. “A shark would just think you’re a boat.”
“Ha-ha. And you’d taste like shit to a shark.”
“Fine with me.”
“All right, stop bickering,” Rogue said. “Grab what you need, leave your phones, and let’s go.”
“What about the earpieces?” Havoc asked. “Can’t get those wet and we need coms.”
Atlas froze. Shit.
Viper dug into his backpack and pulled out a sealed plastic bag full of wrapped snacks. “See, it pays to be prepared.” He emptied the snacks into the bottom of his backpack then held up the plastic. “Drop ’em in here.”
“All right, that’s actually smart,” Havoc mumbled. He passed the tiny devices to Viper, who then sealed the bag and stuffed it in the zippered pocket of his vest.
“If I get eaten by a shark, you guys are gonna feel bad,” Viper said, as he swung his legs over the edge. He lowered himself into the water. His face twisted with discomfort. “It’s f-fucking c-cold.”
Rogue snorted. “Well, yeah. Getting in like that.” He spread his arms over his head and sprang into the water. Havoc went next.
Then Atlas dove into the waves. Icy water rushed over his head, immediately lowering his core temperature. He swam beneath the surface, momentarily suspended in time. When his lungs demanded air, he came up for a breath.
His team swam alongside him, their arms slicing through the water. He dove down for another stretch, and when he came up again, the shore was in view.
None of them said a word as they advanced toward the beach.
He’d endured the longest hours of his life. And now, he’d take back what was his.
Molly stirred and inhaled sharply. If it weren’t for the tape on her lips, she’d have gasped.
She was still here in this godforsaken room on this godforsaken island, her hands bound and her mouth sealed.
Not a dream.
Thankfully, the grimy hands that’d peeled off her clothes in her nightmare hadn’t been real. Her heart pumped wildly, and sweat trickled down the side of her head. The balcony door was still open, as if to taunt her.
To remind her of her failed escape.
A cool breeze blew over her still-wet body. She shuddered, wishing she could burrow under the blankets. But she couldn’t move. Besides, she didn’t want to sleep anymore.
Every sense was on high alert.
Soon, it’d be morning. With it would come a whole new set of horrors. She had to stay strong. Maybe she could persuade Willy to take the tape off her mouth so she could speak with him.
Not that it would matter.
He’d already disclosed his illegal dealings. Heinous ones. There was no way he’d let her walk away. A moan caught in the back of her throat and frustration brought tears to her eyes.
Yanking on the ropes, she twisted to her back. She pulled her arms and legs away from each other, huffing and puffing.
Hopelessness stole her next breath.
There was nothing she could do.