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“Weapons?” Caleb asked. “I’ve got my Glock and Danny’s backup Sig.”
“I’ve got a Glock and the SCAR-Heavy rifle,” Danny added.
Caleb’s shoulders tightened. “That's not enough.”
A faint smile twitched Ryder’s lips. “We may have packed extra luggage.”
Caleb sank into his seat, relief making his legs weak.
The adrenaline crash left every muscle throbbing. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake the fear that they’d arrive too late and Gia would be gone.
Over the border.
Out of reach.
He took out his phone and sent a text to his grandfather before he had to turn on airplane mode.
Zach and Jennie are at the hospital. Lopez has Gia.
Something Ben Blackwater likely already knew.
Caleb had gotten his cousin shot. Put his grandfather in a terrible position.
And the two dead cartel soldiers he'd left behind?
He’d have some explaining to do.
Keep everyone away from Old Joe’s. I’ll be back as soon as I have Gia.
A lump formed in his throat.
I’m sorry.
The realization hit hard.
He cared what his grandfather thought of him.
I’ll see you soon.
The plane lifted, engines roaring as the earth fell away beneath them.
“How long?” he asked the flight attendant.
“To Albuquerque? Forty minutes. We’ll barely be up before we’re coming down again.”
Two foil packets landed in Caleb’s lap.
Danny settled across from him. “Snagged those from the first aid kit. Figured you could use them.”
“Thanks.” Caleb opened the water bottle in his seat’s cup holder and swallowed the pills.
“You good, bro? Even with a vest, two rounds hurts like a motherfucker. Sure you don’t want to sit this one out?”
Caleb glared at his friend. “I’ll rest when I’m dead. That plane isn’t leaving with Gia on it.”
Danny held up his fist. “Hooyah to that.”
Despite the pain, the fear, the burn of urgency, Caleb smirked and bumped knuckles with Danny. “It’shooah, you squid.”