Their logic barely penetrates the red haze of my rage, but I force myself to nod. "Fine. We try to take him alive. But Hannah's safety comes first."
The shed's floorboards creak under our weight as we locate the hidden trap door. The musty scents of earth and decay waft up from the darkness below.
I take point, clicking on my tactical light. The beam illuminates rough walls and ancient support beams. Water drips somewhere in the distance.
My brothers fall in behind me as we advance through the narrow passage. The air grows thicker, harder to breathe. Or maybe that's just my mounting anxiety about what we'll find at the end of this tunnel.
My earpiece crackles. "Men are in position," John O’Donnell reports. "Ready on your signal."
I raise my fist, halting our progress as voices drift toward us. Guards in the basement. We need to be ready to take them down, but quickly and quietly so as not to alert Hampton to our presence.
"Two more sections until the storage room," Blaise says in a low tone.
I grip my weapon tighter, picturing Hannah's face.Hold on, baby. I'm coming.
The tunnel narrows as we approach the storage room entrance. A faint rectangle of light appears ahead, the outline of the storage room door. I kill my light, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness.
I signal to my brothers, holding up one finger. Phoenix nods, moving to flank the entrance while Blaise and Flint cover our rear.
The door's hinges protest softly as I ease it open just enough to peer through. One guard, back turned, rifle slung casually over his shoulder. Amateur. Kean, for all his paranoia, has men who are lax.
I slip through the gap like a shadow. The guard starts to turn at the sound of my movement, but it's already too late. My armlocks around his throat in a chokehold, cutting off both air and blood flow to his brain. He tries to cry out but manages only a wet gurgle before going limp.
I ease the body to the ground as my brothers file in, weapons raised. Phoenix checks the guard's pulse, gives a short nod. Dead.
"Clear," Blaise whispers, scanning the shadowy corners of the storage room.
“It’s the same room he had Lucy.” I head in the room’s direction. My heart pounds. Hannah's close. I can feel it. But I force myself to stay focused, methodical. Getting sloppy now could get us all killed.
Every step brings me closer to her. And to Hampton Kean. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep myself from killing him. Hopefully, my brothers will understand if I do.
The basement door creaks open, and my heart stops at the sight before me. Hampton stands behind Hannah, his meaty fingers digging into her arms as he yanks her up from the chair. She stumbles, a small cry of pain escaping her lips that cuts straight through me.
"The prodigal Ifrinn returns." Hampton presses a gun to Hannah's temple. "Here to watch another woman die because of you?"
My brothers spread out behind me, weapons trained on Hampton. His eyes widen, clearly not expecting all of us. He tugs Hannah closer, using her as a shield.
“You can make this easy on yourself, Hampton. Let her go. Surrender and we won’t kill you,” Phoenix says.
“Fuck you. You killed my son!" Hampton's voice echoes off the stone walls. "Everything I built was for him, and you took that from me!"
“You mean what you took from our father?” Phoenix says.
"Your father was weak. He didn't deserve his position." Spittle flies from Hampton's mouth as he rages.
Hannah's eyes meet mine, wide with fear but also determination.
“Deserve?” Phoenix laughs. “You’re a fucking pussy. Everyone knows it.”
“Do you know how easy it was to recruit families against you?” I’m talking to Hampton, but my gaze is on Hannah. She’s watching me like I’m a hero. God, if I fail her…
Hampton sneers. “You’re the fucking pussy to think that. I know all about your plans. You’re outnumbered, boys. You’ll never leave this house alive.”
“You sure about that?” Phoenix says. A commotion sounds above us. “Do you suppose those are your men, or mine?”
Hampton’s eyes flash with worry as he glances up as if he can see what’s going on a floor up. If everything is going to plan, his men are surrendering or dying.
With Hampton distracted, I lunge forward toward him. I grab Hannah's arm, yanking her toward me as my brothers surge forward.
