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Caleb turned to Zach. If it were his call, they’d already know the answer.
But this was Zach’s territory. His call.
Zach huffed out a breath. “I know what you want me to say, but we need to do this by the book. If they don’t put up a fight, we arrest them. Let the Feds handle it.”
“And if they do?” Caleb asked.
“We shoot back. Then it’s self-defense.”
Danny barked a laugh. “Nathan’s gonna be pissed he missed this. But with the wedding coming up, if he tried, Emily would cut his nads off.”
Caleb was still adjusting to the fact that his bosses were unofficially backing the op. If it went sideways, Dìleas Security Agency risked blowback—an inquiry, bad press, worse.
But they backed him anyway.
Family.
“So, this is normal for you guys?” Gia’s sunglasses hid her expression, but her tone dripped with incredulity. “Just another day?”
“Used to be.” Caleb didn’t miss war. He was proud of his service—but he’d seen enough hell for one lifetime.
Still, for Gia?
He’d walk straight back into the fire if it meant she stayed safe.
“I’m heading to my spot.” Zach checked his watch. “Comm check once everyone is in position. Ford, get the drone up—we’ll need eyes for the approach.” With a wave, he peeled off toward the plateau.
Danny bumped fists with Caleb. “Good luck, brother.”
Caleb watched them disperse. The quiet settled in again.
A chill crept down his spine, his sixth sense flaring.
Something didn’t feel right. The coyote’s howl from the day before echoed in his memory.
Just nerves.
He had more to lose now than on any combat op.
He brushed Gia’s arm, needing the contact one more time before Lopez arrived.
Needing her.
A traitorous thought whispered.
What if this is the last time you touch her?
The last time he heard that smoky voice that hooked him the first night at Lucero’s Lounge.
Her answering smile was subdued. “Now what?”
He swallowed the fear clawing at his spine. Let none of it show.
“Now, we wait.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“We’vegotincoming.Oneblack SUV.”