Hayes and Vic draw closer as Tim moves in from behind me. My throat works as I look into the eyes of these men.It isn’t the same, Cade. This is different. This isn’t Afghanistan. There are no hidden bombs.
I breathe steadily, meeting each set of eyes with my own. “Hayes and I will go in through one of the stall windows. Mason, take Killer, and you and Vic go in through the back. Tim,” I nod in Theo’s direction, where he’s pacing in the living room, “you stay with him. I don’t believe for one minute he is going to stay out of this. Keep him close. Whatever you do, don’t let him in near the barn.”
Tim nods, taking his assignment seriously as I continue giving orders.
“Be careful in there. Keep your eyes open. Think smart. Don’t do anything to get Lawson or Anniston hurt. You got it?”
They all give me a curt nod and then shout, “Oohrah!”
We break apart, Mason going to retrieve Killer from upstairs where we corralled her, keeping her from running to Anniston.
“Hayes.” He moves slowly to my side, leery of my next statement. Reaching for the M24 Sniper rifle propped in the corner, I hand it over slowly. “She was saving it for your birthday. She knew one day you would hold one again.”
Hayes gulps, his throat working down his emotion. With shaking hands, he touches the cool metal. Instantly, he recoils.
“You can do this. I have faith in you. She has faith in you.”
Fists clenched, Hayes makes a sound almost like a growl. And as if he makes up his mind in this critical moment, he grabs the gun, hoists it to his shoulder and checks the sights. He inserts the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge, loading the chamber with what I hope to be the only bullet shot today.
“I’m ready, sir,” he confirms, all business, the mask of a trained sniper slipping easily over his boyish features. This is a trained marksman. A legend in his short stent in the Marines. My ally.
I didn’t expect the feeling of comradery to hit me so hard. My heart is suddenly full of love and honor for my brother, who is ready to fight and possibly die alongside me. Our bond is the love we share for a woman who took a chance on us all. Who gave up her job to reintroduce us into society. A woman who became our family.
I straighten, raising my hand to my head in a salute. Hayes quickly returns the symbolic gesture, both of us conveying something that could never be spoken.
“I need to speak with Theo before we go.” I walk over to Theo, who stands in the living room clutching a picture in his hand. “We’re going to go in now,” I tell him softly.
He jerks his eyes away from the frame. It’s a picture of him and Ans. Sitting by a campfire, she’s hugging him from behind and he’s grinning as her tongue licks his dimple. Clearly, it’s a college photo.
“It’s about time,” he lashes out.
I don’t blame him. If I were in his position, I think I would, too. “I want you to stay here,” I add, pissing him off further.
His face draws up into a menacing snarl.
I continue before he can say anything else. “Let me go get our girl. I promise I will bring her home safe. Nothing will happen to her.”
He doesn’t believe me, hope has left his eyes. Without a word, he walks off, heading up the stairs in the direction of his and Ans’ room.
It’s better this way. It keeps him out of my hair. I look to Tim, waiting in the kitchen. “Don’t let him out of your sight.”
He salutes me as I head out the back to join Hayes. I’m going to get our girl and no old-ass woman trafficker is going to stop me.
I’m coming, Commander.
