Chapter 40 #2
Cotton and I continue to point out areas of vulnerability and gauge for the rest of the group where long-range shooters will likely be set up.
The thing here is that we didn’t go over this together.
I know this information from experience in the field and looking at the layout of the park. Cotton knows too, but why?
“Our advantage is that they don’t know we already have the meeting spot.
It’s also reasonable to assume that they think I will either be alone or that I’m bringing untrained bodies meant as nothing more than distractions.
They’ll likely reach out and demand I come alone.
I’m the target. We’re going to let them think I’m turning myself over.
This is the moment when everyone will be in the most danger.
They do not intend to let anyone go. We believe they have already sold me for a substantial amount of money.
This means they will want to take me alive but, there’s no guarantee they won’t kill the hostages once they have me. ”
“You’re not going in there alone, BB. That can’t be the plan.”
“Evie. It’s the only way. If we go in there guns blazing, the hostages could get shot in the crossfire. We still aren’t sure how many they even have. Little Abel could be in there.”
Eve’s eyes clench tightly shut at the very real possibility that they’ve had my toddler nephew all this time. Eventually, her chin dips in acquiescence. She knows this is the only way.
Adam’s men stoically study the images laid out before them.
Guns click, and the unmistakable sound of bullets being chambered comes from Jax and Marshall’s weapons.
Eve’s hand absently goes to one of the many knives at her waist, and a look of determination is shared between Cotton, Cal, and Adam.
The stakes were always high, but a child changes everything.
There’s no clever ruse that I can employ that will rile these men up and have them making mistakes.
There’s no one on the inside ready to help me save the day.
The plan is shit. The choices are shit. Everything is shit, but my wife and my family are getting out of this alive.
There is no other option. I’ve just got to stay alive long enough to make sure that happens.
The next half hour is spent giving individual jobs to each member of the team. The only hitch is when Eve is positioned too far away from Adam.
“That won’t be happening. She’s with me.” He quickly lets the group know they won’t be separated at any time.
Fine by me. I’m actually astonished that he isn’t throwing a fit about her coming on this mission in the first place. She’s an asset, and he knows it. He must also know that there is no keeping her out of this one.
Eve isn’t as good a shot as Vaughn, but she can shoot well enough. Hand to hand, I’d put her against any man in here. She’s lightning fast and has the survival instincts of someone who spent every day of their life fighting to be the last one standing.
“Everyone clear on their position?”
Murmurs in the affirmative go up around the room.
The men Adam’s dad sent have that look. Organized crime.
They look as though this is a day at their nine to five.
Things are coming together in my mind. Adam tortures.
They all shoot and fight. I’m not quite sure if all three of them grew up in the life or if it’s just Adam’s family.
Either way it’s clear these three are brothers, so. ..in for a penny, in for a pound.
“This is it. Last chance to change your mind. We could all be heading to our deaths on this one. Even still, I ask this favor of you. Every eye and every pair of hands count. I need each one of you, but I WILL understand if you decide not to join me. This isn’t your fight, but if you choose to take it, I’ll be in your debt. ”
The bored looking men dressed in head-to-toe black are the first to stand.
Next is Jax, Marshall, Cal, Adam, and Eve.
Cotton is still standing at my side, and the six of them walk to the new recruits, extending their hands and thanking them.
These six haven’t even considered that I am offering the same out to them. They’re in. They’re with me.
“Alright. Let’s go get ‘em.”
It takes just over an hour to reach the industrial park.
There’s no one here. Thankfully, Adam’s men brought a drone.
That, coupled with the aerial footage Cal got, and our recon time was cut down significantly.
Just another reminder that I’m not dealing with amateurs.
The vehicles, apart from the one I’ll drive in after I get the call, are hidden just off site outside an exit we made through the fence when we arrived.
We have no idea exactly when they plan to get here with the hostages, so we’re treating every second like it’s the last one we have.
We’re hours into the night and getting antsy in our positions before we see the first sign of life coming toward us. It’s a convoy. Vehicles in various sizes. Six SUVs, four trucks, and one sedan. There could be more than sixty men in those rigs. Two to one odds at best.
“I’m heading out the back. I’ll wait out the call in the Yukon and come back in the way they did.”
We’ve tested out the range on the radios and made sure the SUV we parked offsite is within communication range. I waited until this moment to leave the site because...it’s just hard to leave men on the field. Always has been.
“Target is inside the gate.”
Keir is Adam’s man stationed closest to the gate. None of these men needed much direction but took orders like they were born for it. Their laid-back confidence went a long way to ease the gnawing ache in my heart and the churning of my gut.
I’m too far away now to see anything that’s going on inside the compound, and it kills me knowing my family is inside there somewhere.
“They’re setting up in Warehouse Two. Entering on the South side.”
This one sounds like Maso, the tall lean Italian.
“She’s in there. They have her. Maybe Grizzly, too. One male and definitely Vaughn were led in with their hands bound. No one else who entered the building was tied up. BB?” There’s excitement and desperation in Eve’s voice. She’s happy to see Vaughn alive, but...where’s mom and Abbi? Little Abel?
“This doesn’t mean they aren’t alive.” Letting off the button so my desperation isn’t a public event “FUCK!” Rule number one: stay calm. No one gets out alive. Kill them all. Find the second location. Bring your family home.
My voice when I speak into the radio again is much more composed than I feel. “There’s a second location. One thing at a time. We get Vaughn and Grizzly. Then, we get the others. Nothing has changed here. Mark these mother fuckers.”
“Roger”
“10-4”
“Fuck yeah”
“Copy that”