EMBER
RUN NO MORE - KALEO
Deep in the Essex countryside, London’s smog is far out of reach. Sky-high apartment blocks and multimillion-pound businesses become sprawling, old-money estates with trimmed, green lawns and an array of lavish supercars to adorn their circular driveways.
Of all the places for Nolan Madden to hide, it seems unusual for him to immerse himself in the upper echelons of British society.
I know enough about him to assume he has a God complex.
But the stakes are higher out here, and no matter what lies he tells, I can safely say this is the one place he doesn’t belong.
Our convoy of armoured vans and a stealthy helicopter soaring overhead is hardly inconspicuous. For that reason, we’re forced to take a winding, indirect route to avoid Madden’s front door. The last thing we want is to tip him off after our sly exit from HQ under the cover of darkness.
“Ready for this?” I whisper to Axel.
Surrounded by an array of weapons lining the van walls, he checks his bulletproof vest. “More than I’ve ever been ready for anything.”
“Only you could be enthusiastic about getting our asses kicked.”
“Because we’ll be the ones doing the ass kicking, dimples.” He flashes me a confident grin. “I’m looking forward to tearing into Madden’s hide then feeding Blaine the scraps for dessert.”
“Something tells me there will be a long queue for that honour.”
“True. Maybe we should flip for it.”
“I have little interest in killing Madden.” I tuck a knife into my ankle slot. “All I want is to get Angela out alive and ensure all those women and girls are removed safely.”
“It’ll be okay.” Axel speaks with utter certainty. “We have a whole team on it.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better. We can’t leave a single person behind, Ax. Nor can there be any casualties. Too many people have died because of these monsters.”
He shuffles to the edge of his built-in seat, stretching a tatted hand out to me. “We’ve got this.”
I accept his palm without hesitating. “You’ll be careful?”
“I already survived one bullet, babe. I’ve got no intention of taking another.”
“At least this time, Gunnar’s on our side of the fight.”
“God help those who get in his way today.” He laughs under his breath.
“It’s going to get ugly for them.”
When the van jostles from a bump in the road, I hear Warner curse from up front.
He’s riding with Blaine while Hyland is in a chopper above with the Falcon Team and Hudson.
Kade, additional muscle and medical evac are following in a second specialised vehicle, while the Intelligence Department retain a third for comms and surveillance.
Everyone permitted on today’s raid is the best of the best. We don’t have the luxury of any discord or mistrust between agents. Gunnar may be new to his posting, but the directors are trusting him to prove himself. If there’s any time to let his savagery roam freely, it’s now.
“We’re four minutes out from the rendezvous point.” Warner’s voice calls through the thin partition. “Received the green light from Azrael. Our path is clear.”
“Do we really trust this dude?” Axel mutters.
“We don’t have much of a choice. If it’s any consolation, he seemed to genuinely care about Angela and her wellbeing. There’s something between them.”
“I bet Blaine loved that.”
“Not quite.” I stifle a chuckle.
“Madden must trust the psycho if he has this level of security clearance on base. It takes some serious sway to stand down guards and clear a route inside for us to infiltrate.”
“I suppose that’s the problem with hired skins… Loyalty is fickle. He’s free to chase the next paycheck or go wherever his heart desires. In this case, that works in our favour.”
“For now.” Axel frowns.
The growling engine rumbles to a stop, causing us to sway on the spot as Warner expertly parks up then kills the ignition. I take the chance to unbuckle and rise, checking over my stowed weaponry one last time.
The back doors fly open, revealing Blaine’s stony expression. He nods to Axel then gifts me an attempt at a smirk. His anxiety is painfully obvious. I’m still not used to seeing him on edge, but given the peril ahead, I’d say the man is permitted to be a little nervous.
“Any signs of trouble?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Not a damn car on the roads, let alone a tail. I don’t think we were followed out of the capital.”
“That’s good. Are the others far out?”
“About seven minutes.” Warner appears in the doorway.
“Then let’s be ready for them.”
Blaine helps me down from the rear of the van, even taking the time to offer Axel a helping hand for his descent. We’re already loaded with thick Kevlar and multiple holsters. I stand by, ready to help Warner into his final layers, ensuring all the straps are sufficiently tightened.
“Is your leg alright?” I murmur to him.
“It’ll hold up. This prosthetic is nearly shot to pieces.”
“You’ve probably abused it a few too many times. Not sure the manufacturer intended for it to be worn while raiding criminal lairs or engaging in hand-to-hand combat.”
“Probably not.” He chuckles.
“Please be careful. Tom will kill us both if either of us don’t come home.”
“Not gonna happen, love. I owe you a date when this is through.”
“A date, huh?”
His baby blues twinkle, deliciously skating over me. “Just me and you. None of these jackasses stealing your attention. I’m gonna wine and dine my girl then take her home.”
“Hm, a girl could get used to that. But what home would that be?” I smile back.
“The one we’re going to buy as soon as this is through. All five of us. This time, it’ll be a joint decision. We’ll design it, if you want, even build from scratch. I want it to be perfect for our future.”
Sealing the last strap on his bulletproof underlay, I stretch onto tiptoes to coast our lips together. “I like the sound of this plan.”
“Yeah?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Do we get a say in this?” Axel pouts from the gravel road.
“No,” Warner snaps at him. “You signed on already, Ax. Them’s the rules.”
“Well, shit. Here I was hoping for an easy escape.”
“I’d kill you in your tracks if you even attempted it.” Blaine shoves him playfully.
“Thank you.” I blow him a kiss.
To my pleasure, he winks back. “I’ve got your back, sweetheart.”
“Dickheads,” Axel groans.
A glance around our circle reveals we’re all set. Now we wait for backup to arrive. This spot was chosen for its proximity to Madden’s new estate, though for privacy and to keep our equipment secure, it’s still a couple of miles’ trek through winding farmland.
After a tense wait, the first of our convoy begins to appear. On foot, the newly amended Falcon Team emerges into the grassy clearing surrounded by a thick copse of English oaks. The helicopter must’ve turfed them out close by then made a hasty exit.
Hyland scans us individually, taking extra time to study me. When he nods and smiles, I relax a bit. By comparison, Hudson is a carved wall of tension. He flanks Archer, Oscar and Gunnar as they enter our huddle with their weapons extended in warning.
“We good?” Archer shouts.
“Coast is clear,” Warner replies. “We’re secure.”
“Any trouble?” Hudson calls out.
“Not a peep.”
“Good.” Grimacing, Hudson cracks his scar-twisted knuckles. “Let’s hope it stays that way.”
The growl of approaching engines causes everyone to stiffen, the sight of familiar vehicles instantaneously injecting me with relief.
Our medical evac and comms systems have arrived.
With this much tech and muscle, the raid should be a breeze.
In theory. I’ve learnt too often that reality usually pans out differently.
Kade clambers from the next armoured van, equipped with an inconspicuous fake plate. He throws open the doors to release two of the female agents from my very first days at Sabre—Sabrina and Luda, if I remember correctly. Both grant me a nod of acknowledgement.
Two of Sabre’s trusted medics are nestled amidst medical supplies, prepared for any victims left to be liberated from Madden’s imprisonment. The third and final vehicle reveals Rayna and Fox surrounded by more blinking tech and humming machines than a single van should be capable of holding.
“Is that everyone?” Hyland’s olive-green gaze pans around our huge group.
“You want more?” Hudson baulks at him.
“Think I’m good, thanks. This is a hell of a raiding party.”
“We’re not taking any more chances.” Kade’s steely tone brooks no argument. “I want this clean and casualty free, people. We’re going to be done here and home in time for dinner.”
“Brooklyn cooking?” Axel snickers.
“Something like that.”
Rayna emerges from her techie nest, flipping freshly dyed lilac hair. “Hand these out. New long-range communication system. It’s been fully vetted and tested for today.”
“What’s the range?” Warner accepts his earpiece.
“A few miles, give or take. Farther than our old tech. I’ll be operating a drone overhead to provide surveillance support with an infrared camera attached while Fox is taking point on team comms.”
“Damn.” Axel whistles. “This is some James Bond shit.”
Groaning, Gunnar glowers at his twin. “You have no idea what’s possible out there.”
“Don’t be smug, bro.”
“Just saying.”
“Well, not all of us have the funding and budget for top-line tech. I bet mercenary wages are a hell of a lot higher than working for the public sector.”
“Our funding is fine, Axel,” Kade grits out. “Everyone focus.”
We pass the box of wires around, each taking a slim-looking mechanism to slot into place. After a quick sound check, the line is declared operational, and Rayna returns to her lair, leaving Fox to take the lead in communicating.
“We will approach on foot from the west through a couple miles of fields.” Hudson gestures into the woodland beyond. “Stay sharp, eyes open. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s security in the woods.”
“Approximately half a mile out, we disperse,” Kade continues. “Anaconda, take the lead, and rendezvous with our contact. You have a direct line of attack with Hudson. Falcon, you’re with me. Our priority is victim evacuation.”
“How many are we anticipating?” Archer remains stoic.
“Unclear.”
“Excellent,” he huffs.
“Angela revealed that Madden is burning through funds faster than he can replace them by selling Gael’s liberated stock of assets,” I chime in. “That suggests to me he’s still holding multiple victims.”
“I want them all alive.” Kade inclines his head, meeting my gaze. “They’re our priority along with our primary source, Angela. She is to be safeguarded at all costs.”
Nearby, Blaine’s fists curl into white-knuckled balls. He’ll be looking out for her. I’m sure of it.
“Med evac is to remain on standby here with the Intelligence Department.” Hudson gestures towards our two medics. “Sabrina and Luda, I want you stationed at strategic intervals in the woodland to assist with evacuation.”
“If there’s no one to evac?” Luda’s question comes out rough as gravel.
“Then feel free to join the fight,” Hudson responds without missing a beat. “The attorney general wants a scapegoat to ease public scrutiny. We’re going to give him one, dead or alive.”
Blaine squints into the distant woods with a dark, lethal intensity. “My father belongs to me.”
“Get in line,” Hylands snarls at him.
“I’ll race you there.”
“Do as you please.” Kade flicks his hand dismissively. “This case ends today, one way or another. No loose ends, no more escapees. I want this estate cleared out and secured by sundown. Is that understood?”
With a chorus of agreements, the impromptu briefing draws to its close. There’s nothing left to do but prepare to depart. I’m thankful to have my guys with me. Splitting up wasn’t on the cards this time around. We have enough firepower to cover all bases without spreading ourselves too thin.
“Can I say something?” I push past my hesitation.
Eyebrows pulled high and tight in surprise, Kade wastes no time nodding. “Go ahead.”
I clear my throat, glancing around our huddle. “For a lot of us, this mission is personal. The stakes are high. But no matter who we’ve lost or what’s on the line, we’re not going to give these bastards a drop more of our blood.”
Warner scrutinises me, his expression intense. “Damn straight.”
“Everyone comes home.” I emphasize every word. “Captives, agents, comms. The lot. No one else is being sacrificed in pursuit of justice. I think we’ve all lost enough to this sickness.”
“Everyone comes home,” Hyland parrots.
Flicking my attention to him, we share a long look. Tension lies there. Fear. He’s lost everything once before. He wouldn’t survive a second destruction. None of us would. This case has to be closed, but not at the expense of our lives or families.
“We’ve got you covered, Ember.” Oscar’s voice is clear and strong, despite his distance across the gathered circle.
“Always.” Kade nods.
Teeth bared, Gunnar rolls his shoulders back. “I’m ready to crack some spines.”
“Need a hand with that?” Axel offers him.
“You’ve still got a lot to learn, kid.” He leers at his twin. “Just don’t get in my way.”
Hudson claps his hands together, all suited and booted. “On that note, let’s move out. The daylight’s fading.”
Goodbyes are exchanged, then the meeting disperses, splitting into our respective raiding parties. I take Warner’s hand as we depart the makeshift base camp, squeezing twice then releasing. The message is simple.
Today, this evil meets its end.
And the rest of our life begins.