I nod. “But first he suffers.”
The words burn on the way out. My blood is boiling. I don’t know what’s keeping that fucker alive, but it won’t matter. I’ll tear it out of him with my bare hands.
“How do we get in?” Ryker crouches low, rifle raised, eyes sweeping the perimeter. “Roman must’ve changed the codes.”
“The fence.” I drop to the dirt, crawling under low branches. “Back side. The one Knox cut to get me out.”
We reach it fast, staying low. Nothing but overgrown brush and silence back here.
I push leaves aside and find it. Sean covered it, keeping it hidden.
“Here.” I whisper, motioning them in.
The far edge of the base backs up against the compound’s only large tree.
Perfect to hide.
I slide in first, rifle raised, sweeping the corners. Max follows. Then Ryker.
We’re inside.
I raise four fingers. They nod.
There’s at least four inside, maybe more. No time for stealth now.
We move fast.
We shoot.
Four bodies drop before they even register we’re there.
We breach the hallway. Left wing. Max clears ahead, and I take the right.
Ryker watches our six, moving like fucking clockwork behind us.
Screams from outside. Screams from below.
They’re scrambling.
We hit the stairs. I’m about to give the signal to descend,
When I catch movement.
Sean.
He’s coming out of the kitchen. Blood on his shirt. Bag slung over his shoulder.
Ryker’s rifle locks on.
“Don’t,” I mutter. “Wait, Recon.”
He holds the weapon steady but doesn’t lower it.
Sean sees me.
“Dante…” he breathes.
I move fast. “Where’s Roman?”
