Chapter 11 #3
Peering into the window of the building, Boone shook his head. As a team, they moved to the next house, then the next, and the next.
A low growl of frustration vibrated in his throat.
Xander flicked his gaze to Liam. “Easy, Charlie One. We aren’t done yet.”
“Lead on, Charlie Two.” He’d given Rafe point since his mind wasn’t fully focused on the task. No way would he allow his distraction to interfere with Raven’s rescue.
The group moved as one through the ghost town without a sound.
Liam glanced at his watch. An hour had passed. “Three more structures left.”
“What about the tunnels?” Boone asked.
“Maybe for escape purposes, but from my research, they aren’t big enough to use as living areas,” Dax said.
“Charlie Mike.” Liam gave the order to continue the mission.
Rafe moved, and the others followed.
At the next house, Xander eased to the window and peered in. He whipped back and flattened against the side of the building, fisting his hand.
The team froze.
“Movement inside,” Xander whispered.
“Lima Charlie.” The information had come over the comms loud and clear.
Liam turned to his men. “We’re going in quiet like planned.
Charlie Two, Three, and Four, sides and back.
Charlie Five, with me through the front.
Locate Raven and extract. I don’t care who has eyes on her first. Get her and go. She’s our top priority.”
“Copy,” each team member acknowledged.
“Go.” Liam gave the command, and the men vanished into the background.
“Charlie Five, you ready?”
Xander nodded. “Lead the way, Charlie One.”
Liam picked the lock and moved into position.
Xander eased open the door, and the two snuck inside. After incapacitating and securing the single sentry at the entrance, they moved to the door the man had guarded.
Liam jutted his chin toward the access point. Xander nodded and pulled it open.
“Charlie Team, Charlie One. Heading downstairs.”
“Copy that, Charlie One. Team two infiltrating the rear of the building in three, two, one.” Boone went silent after the countdown.
Liam turned to Xander. “Eyes open.”
The pair descended and came to a concrete room. More like a prison. The two beds against the walls appeared to have been slept in.
Xander held up two fingers, indicating two people.
Liam nodded. “Charlie Team, room found. No Raven. Appears to be two hostages. Retracing steps.”
The comms remained quiet. He assumed his team had gone dark while they searched the house.
“I’ve got a computer room with voices.” Rafe’s deep timbre cut through the comms, giving them directions to his location.
“Copy that. On our way.” Liam and Xander took the stairs two at a time.
They meandered their way to Rafe’s whereabouts.
His eyes met Rafe’s.
“Two female voices,” Rafe informed him.
“Raven?”
Rafe nodded.
“Charlie Three and Four?”
“Covering approaches.”
Liam took a deep breath. His men had it under control. “Quiet. Secure the women and fall back.” The team had already discussed calling in reinforcements if time allowed, letting the local officials take over the arrests. “Let’s do this.”
The door opened, and the three of them moved with precision into the room.
The sight of Raven alive at a workstation stole Liam’s breath. They’d found her. Tamping down his reaction, he assessed the room. No guards. No Evan Rhodes. Just a woman with long brown hair looking over Raven’s shoulder.
Gesturing for Rafe to secure the entrance, he and Xander moved to the women’s side.
“Raven.” She spun, and he held a finger to his lips. “No time for greetings, stay quiet. Let’s move.”
Xander clutched the other woman’s arm and guided her out of the room.
The team stole through the house. With the back door and safety in sight, Evan Rhodes, along with four armed men, popped in front of them.
“Going somewhere?” Evan smirked.
The team snapped their guns up and pointed at Evan and his men.
Liam narrowed his gaze. “That’s the plan.”
“I don’t think so. Jade here hasn’t finished her task.”
The woman under Xander’s protection cowered and whimpered. What had these men done to terrify her like that?
Liam studied the guards. Their twitchy trigger fingers worried him. One word and his men would end it, but he had to be careful not to act irrationally.
“I can guarantee she’s not going anywhere with you.” Liam continued to assess the scene.
A small motion from Evan told him all he needed to know. He’d signaled for the guards to fire.
“Do it.” His command, the only thing his team needed to hear.
Chaos ensued, and within seconds the room silenced. Four Guards lay on the floor, bleeding out while Dax secured Evan’s arms behind his back. Not possessing a weapon had saved Rhodes’s life.
Raven pulled her arm from his grip and marched over to the other woman.
He watched in shock when Raven raised her fist and clocked the brunette in the face, sending the woman sprawling.
“Raven?” Liam had no idea what had just taken place or why.
She pulled herself to full height and spun to face him. “That”—she pointed at the lady clutching her jaw—“is my therapist Breana. Also, the person responsible for everything that has happened to me. She and Evan are in this together.”
No further explanation was needed. Xander yanked Breana to her feet and zip-tied her wrists behind her back.
“Dax, Evan, and Breana are yours. The rest of you confirm we’re alone. I’ll call it in.”
His men obeyed without question.
Raven’s face lost all color. Her body went boneless and collapsed.
“Raven!” Liam rushed over and caught her before she hit the floor. He cradled her in his arms. “Raven, honey? Can you hear me?”
Her head lolled to the side.
“Charlie Two, Report!” His heart slammed against his breastbone. Liam had to get her to the hospital.
“All clear. No tangos.”
“Get the SUV, now!” Liam had never lost his composure on a mission until now—until Raven.
Chatter over the comms ran like background noise in his ear. Xander filled the others in while Liam focused on the only thing that mattered. Raven.