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“Keep looking,” Jaxson commands.
Thomas’ head swivels, focusing on different buildings before he turns to another one. “Nothing there either. Might need to go further down.”
“Let’s move out,” Jaxson orders, and I move into step with him.
Waves lap against the docks, the sound annoyingandsoothing at the same time, and I shiver as we move further into the darkness. Nothing seems to be moving other than the water. Even the lights don’t sway with the breeze. It's as if an eerie stillness has fallen over this portion of Virginia in an attempt to cover all its dirty secrets.
We walk tirelessly, stopping to check every building when Thomas’ fist shoots up in the air. Everyone halts their steps and waits with bated breath. Thomas moves closer while we all move into the shadows of the neighboring structure. He jogs back to our location a moment later.
“I counted at least ten inside,” Thomas reports. “I can’t see too far into the building to know if there are more.”
“Dmitri Krukov and Oleg Sorokin are the primary targets,” Jaxson reminds them. “Kill any threat, but remember, there could also be innocent civilians inside.”
“Oorah,” they say quietly.
Jaxson grabs my elbow and spins me around. “You’re staying here.”
I cross my arms. “The hell I am,” I snap. “We had a deal.”
Jaxson sighs and rests his forehead against mine. “I know, and I promise you’ll get your shot,” he says. “But we have no idea what we’re walking into. We have more training than you. I can’t do my job if I’m worried about you getting hurt. Let us make sure we’re in the right place and we have them. Then I’ll come back for you.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He kisses me quickly. “Stay here with Lykos.”
I watch for any sign of movement and check my phone constantly for any updates from any of the men. I don’t want to risk texting them and putting them in danger, so I continue to wait. Lykos must sense my agitation because he starts nudging me with his snout. I pet his back to distract me from the pit of dread in my stomach.
Fuck it. I’m not waiting anymore.
“I have to go in there.”
I spin on my heel but am sent spiraling to the concrete with a violent yank at my scalp. Breath whooshes from my lungs, and black spots circle my vision. I struggle to stay conscious, but when I hear Lykos growl and see his blurry form sail over me, my world snaps back into focus.
“Get the fuck off of me!” the Russian bellows.
Dmitri!
Lykos thrashes his head from side to side, Dmitri’s arm locked in his jaw. I grab one of my knives from the sheath strapped to my leg, ready to call Lykos back to heel, and Dmitri fumbles with his gun and aims it at Lykos. I don’t hesitate. I throw my knife, hitting him directly in the wrist holding the gun. It drops to the ground with a thud.
“You fucking bitch!” Dmitri screams, cradling his arm. “You’ll wish you were dead by the time I’m finished with you.”
“Zw—”
The door slams open and ricochets off the metal siding.
Jaxson storms out, weapon drawn. He swivels his head around, taking in the scene.
I’m on one knee with another knife to throw. Lykos’ teeth are barred, ready for my command, and there’s a shrieking Russian with a blade sticking out of his wrist. I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles up and escapes.
“I leave you alone for ten minutes,” Jaxson mumbles, marching past me.
“Settle,” I say to Lykos, and stroke his fur. “We’re okay. The bad man didn’t hurt us.”
“You cu?—”
Jaxson throat punches Dmitri, cutting him off. Dmitri sinks to the ground where Jaxson’s knee conveniently connects to his nose, knocking him out.
“That’s no way to speak to a woman,” Jaxson chastises before looking at me. “Do you want your knife back?”