Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
GHOST
“ I t’s a damn through and through, I’m fine.” Ghost told Hunter. “Stop worrying about me and focus on finding Cassie.”
“We have every resource available to us focusing on Cassie,” Hunter told him. “Charlie team has secured Winnie. We’ve already put the word out. Wilson, I am sure, is desperate right now. Desperate men make mistakes.”
Fuck.
Desperate men also hurt people.
Ghost tore the sling off of his arm. The bullet had gone through his shoulder, but he’d been lucky, damn lucky. There was no long-term damage and besides some pain when he moved it, he was fine. When he’d been shot, his body was thrust backwards, and he’d slammed his head on a sharp edge of a bolder. It had knocked him unconscious until his team arrived. He’d been able to hit the alarm on his vehicle and they’d shown up within minutes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quick enough to secure Cassie.
“I can’t believe I hit my head on a fucking rock,” he muttered, not for the first time.
“Hitting your head saved your life, brother.” Dozer said. “It made them stop shooting at you. God only knows how many more bullets they would have unloaded in you if you hadn’t gone down.”
“Yeah, but they have Cassie.” He’d promised to protect her, and he failed.
“What’s up with the two of you anyway?” Dozer asked.
“My mom says when you know, you know, and I know.” Ghost told him. “She’s mine.”
“Which makes her ours,” Hunter said. He’d flown in a few hours before and had wasted no time getting to headquarters. They’d secured Iris in a safe house. She’d protested the entire time. Now, they were focused on finding Cassie.
The men grew silent, each focusing on the computer screens in front of them. Searching for any information that would lead them to her whereabouts. Hunter had every available operator working on it and Ghost knew it was only a matter of time before a lead came through. Wilson had to know by now that his sister had been found and was being protected by the most skilled men on the planet. Winnie had enough information to take down not only Wilson’s entire crime enterprise but all their allies as well.
The vibrating phone cut through the silence, jolting Ghost from his thoughts. He quickly hit the speaker button. “Ruby, speak to me.”
“I found her.” Ruby's voice on the other end confirmed a lead on Cassie’s location. He looked over at Dozer, who’d already stood and headed towards the door. It was go time. He was going to get his girl and never let her out of his sight again. God help anyone who had harmed a hair on her head.
His heart raced as adrenaline coursed through his veins. “Let’s fucking go,” Ghost commanded. The team operated with practiced efficiency, checking weapons and communication devices, each movement sharp and purposeful. Hunter handed Ghost a vest, and he slipped it over his head. The familiar weight felt like a hug from an old friend. Within minutes they were parked in their SUV’s a block away from an old, abandoned factory near transit in a high crime area of Charlotte.
“Street cams show minimal activity. It's now or never," Ruby said through their earpieces.
“Copy that,” Ghost replied. On the outside, he looked calm and controlled. On the inside, his gut was tight with anticipation and fear. Not fear for his own safety, but fear for how he’d find Cassie. As they stepped out of their vehicles and into the chill of the night, the desolate streets loomed before them. The buildings around him were full of people up to no good. Drugs were being cooked; crimes plotted. It was a part of town no one with good intentions came to. The perfect place to hold a woman hostage.
He moved like a phantom, earning his nickname. His footsteps were silent against the concrete. Dozer kept pace with Ghost, his broad frame cutting through the darkness, eyes scanning for any signs of trouble.
“Left there,” Ruby said, following their path from headquarters. Ghost turned down the narrow alley. It was a shortcut that would shave precious time from their route. Ghost felt like he was back on the streets of Kandahar. At least tonight, he didn’t worry about stepping on an IED. Ruby's steady stream of intel painted a virtual map in their minds, she guided them through the back streets and alleyways.
“Watch your six,” Dozer muttered as they skirted past a pile of debris, no doubt also remembering their time in combat. Ghost's senses were heightened, his training merging with well-honed instinct as they closed in on Cassie’s location.
“Building ahead,” he signaled to Dozer.
“Time to bring her home,” Hunter said in his ear. He and a member of bravo team had gone the opposite way, flanking the building.
“Let's go,” Ghost said, opening the door and slipping inside. They’d made it down one long hallway when Ghost's hand shot up, clenched into a fist, and Dozer froze. Two men with rifles slung casually over their shoulders, chatted at the end of the next hall.
“Ruby, you're up,” Ghost whispered through the comms.
“Roger that,” came the crisp reply. “Going dark... now,” she announced. The lights flickered, then died, plunging the building into complete darkness.
Ghost turned to Dozer and communicated with a tilt of his head towards the guards. It was time to act. With movements honed by countless hours of training, they advanced. Both guards dropped silently, the suffocating embrace of well-placed chokeholds claiming them. Dozer bent down and retrieved their weapons and made quick work zip tying their hands.
“Ghost guns. No serial numbers.” Dozer held one of the weapons up. Ghost nodded. He expected nothing less. It was an easy spot. The serial numbers hadn’t been removed; they hadn’t been there to begin with. They were at the right place. Cassie was here.
“Path is clear,” Ghost said, satisfaction laced with the adrenaline fueling his movements. “Time to find her and get the fuck out of here.”
A minute later they split up. Ghost went to the left and Dozer to the right. “Echo-three, clear,” Ghost said into his comms, signaling another guard down.
“Roger that,” Dozer's voice replied.
He progressed, corner by corner, pausing at each turn to assess and neutralize when necessary. Ghost approached the office on the end with the heavy wooden door. When the factory was up and running, it was the executive’s office. “At the door.” Ghost radioed and stood silently, waiting for Dozer to come around the opposite corner. Although it was less than a minute, the wait felt like eternity. Finally, Dozer appeared at his side.
Ghost quickly turned the doorknob and pushed it open, moving quickly through, weapon raised, Dozer right behind him.
“Found her,” Dozer radioed.
Ghost’s focus was narrowed on Cassie. He watched as she shifted in her restraints, unable to clearly see who was in front of her. They didn’t speak as they approached, in case one of her captives was in the shadows. Ghost didn’t take his eyes off his woman. She held herself with an air of subtle defiance. Brave girl. His brave girl.
He was almost to her when the sound of boots scuffling against the floor behind them reached their ears. Dozer immediately dropped to a knee in front of Ghost and raised his weapon.
“What the fuck? How’d this door get opened?” The armed gunman came into view, unaware of the predators lurking just feet away.
Ghost tapped Dozer on the shoulder, and without a word, they sprang into action. Dozer got the first shot off. His aim was good and the man dropped. They hadn’t seen the man behind him until he lobbied off a shot in their direction. Ghost returned fire, the recoil of his weapon a steady rhythm as he systematically targeted the threat.
“That’ll bring trouble,” Dozer said. “We have to move quickly. Go.” He stood guard as Ghost moved quickly to Cassie’s side.
“Ghost! I knew you would come for me. Are you okay? I saw you lying on the ground…”
“I’m good, baby. Do you think something as small as a through and through would stop me? Didn’t even slow me down.” He smiled reassuringly at her.
“Thank God,” Cassie breathed out.
“It’s time to go home now,” Ghost replied as he sliced through the ropes binding her wrist behind her back. He took a second to rub her arms, not liking the color he saw in her hands.
“Can you walk?” he asked, reaching out a hand. He wanted to take her into his arms and hold her, but they needed to get out of here. There’d be time for that later.
“Try and stop me,” Cassie replied as she took his hand and rose to her feet.
“Let's move,” Ghost said, leading her out of the room and back into the corridor, Dozer on his six.
The hallway was silent as they maneuvered through the darkness. The warehouse was entirely too big for their liking and the sooner they got out, the better. Dozer had radioed ahead, Hunter and his team had exited the building and returned to their vehicles, bringing them around to the back for a quick getaway. They watched and waited for Ghost, Dozer and Cassie to emerge.
The silence was unnerving, the hair on the back of Ghost’s arms rose as he turned the final corner. His gut told him something was wrong. It was too easy. Where was Wilson’s men? A chilling voice sliced through the silence a second later, validating his instinct.
“Going somewhere?” Herman Wilson materialized from the darkness, his cold gaze fixed on them.
“She’s coming with me,” Ghost informed him, stepping between Cassie and Wilson. He knew Dozer would push Cassie behind him as well. “There’s not a damned thing you can do to stop me.” Every muscle in his body was coiled and ready for whatever was to come. He stood, staring down the weasel of a man in front of him. The standoff sent renewed adrenaline coursing through his veins. He almost wished a fucker would.
“Ah, but we were just starting to enjoy her company,” Wilson replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He took a step forward, but Ghost mirrored the movement, blocking his advance.
“Your hospitality leaves much to be desired,” Ghost retorted. Then, without warning, Ghost lunged, executing a swift maneuver that even Wilsons trained eyes struggled to follow. A single arm thrust, coupled with a pivot, sent him sprawling to the ground, the element of surprise tipping the scales in their favor.
“Move!” Ghost barked, seizing the momentary lapse in Herman's control. Dozer propelled Cassie forward, and the trio sprinted through the remaining hallway to the back door.
“Approaching rear door,” Dozer barked through the headset.
“It’s clear,” Hunter replied and before they could step out, the door swung open. “Go! Go!” One of bravo team yelled, motioning towards the vehicles. Ghost quickly got Cassie into the backseat of one of the vehicles, climbed in after her and shut the door.
He heard the pop, pop, pop of gunfire spraying the vehicle and pushed Cassie down on the floor, covering her with his body. The vehicles were supposed to be bulletproof, but just in case. He wouldn’t lose her again. Then they were off, tires screeching in protest against the asphalt.
“Are you okay?” Ghost asked, pulling Cassie up and into the seat. Now that they were safe, he could look her over better.
“I’m good, now,” she replied. “My shoulders are sore, and my hands are numb, but otherwise I’m fine.”
He gently fingered her swollen cheek. “I’ll kill the fucker who did this to you.”
“I’m fine, Ghost. Really.” Their eyes met and a silent understanding passed between them. A recognition that what they had was more than a physical connection. It was spiritual. They’d found their person.
As the city's lights receded into the distance, Ghost allowed himself a moment of relief. Cassie was safe and back in his arms where she belonged.