Page 119

“Thirty minutes. We’ll have to be fast if the camp guards make rounds.”
“They don’t,” he admitted. “That’s something that will change. We’ll be visiting the guards on duty tonight, doing unannounced spot checks.”
“How soon?”
“We’ll wait until Rubin and Jillian go to the rendezvous point before we start.”
Iona laughed softly. “If you had enough time, you’d turn those boys into real security guards. Just don’t do your job too well, Dixon.”
“Copy that.”
“We’ll text you when we’re ready.” Iona ended the call.
“Are you sure this will work?” Jillian leaned closer to Rubin.
“We’ll make it work,” Marsh said. “This is your chance to escape Peters and this life. You don’t want to wait, Jillian. Things will become more difficult from here.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Trust us. Escaping tonight is the best option.”
If everything went right, they’d all be out of here tonight. Teagan glanced at Seth. Unfortunately, Seth was right. Things never went according to plan. She hoped whatever happened that she and the rest of their team could handle it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, Iona sent a message to Seth. He glanced at the screen. “Artemis is ready.” He slid his phone into his pocket. “Noah, Violet, you go first. Distract the guard closest to the extraction site. Marsh, Knight, you’re next. Head for the guard on the other side of our quarters. Teagan and I will talk to Ryan, then walk the inner perimeter of the compound and keep people away from the extraction point. Bowen, that leaves you to get Jillian and Rubin to the right location.”
Bowen nodded. “I’ll take care of them, sir.”
Seth glanced at Noah. “Watch your backs. If this goes wrong, you know what to do.”
“Copy that.” His intense stare drilled into Seth. “Nothing better go wrong, partner. I don’t want to train anyone else to take your place. Hear me?”
He saluted. “Yes, sir. Go.”
After waiting two minutes, he signaled Marsh and Knight.
Marsh squeezed Jillian’s hand. “Teagan and Violet’s friends will take good care of you. I promise you’ll be safe.”
“Will I see you again, Andre?”
He smiled. “You might. Let’s get you to safety first, all right? I’ll keep tabs on you, and one day you might see an old friend when you least expect him.” He shook Rubin’s hand. “Be safe and take care of your girl.”
“Yes, sir. I will.”
The two detectives left by the back door, merging into the shadows and disappearing from view.
Seth kept an eye on his watch. When another minute had passed, he turned to Bowen. “It’s time. Jillian, Rubin, do exactly what Grant tells you to do without arguments or questions. No matter what happens, he’ll keep you safe.”
Rubin held out his hand to Seth. “Thank you.”
“Some good people out there are putting their lives on the line to help you and Jillian. The best way to repay all of us is to follow the rules. Stay alert, and you’ll stay alive.”
Jillian hugged Teagan. “Thanks for everything, especially for telling me about your past. It helps, you know. It helps to know other people have been through similar things and survived.”
“You’ll be fine. You and Rubin take care of each other.”
“Time to go,” Bowen said. “Fall in behind me and stay as quiet as you can.” He glanced at Seth and gave him a chin lift. A moment later, they were gone, too.