Page 18

CHAPTER 6

Kage

Extraction was a dangerous business.

Not only for the hostage, but also for those attempting to bring the person to safety. SEAL Team Six had handled countless dangerous missions. Many had been high profile, victims ranging from government officials to billionaires who’d made the mistake of vacationing in the wrong country.

Kidnapping was a profitable crime and without intervention from highly skilled operatives, the victims were almost always left out with the trash.

We’d been called when there were few options left, time running out.

There was no difference in the mission I’d been coerced to handle except for one.

I was on my own.

With one exception.

Tank was with me. We were both placing our trust in one another, but if anyone could find the girl before it was too late, we could. I had a feeling we’d make an incredible team.

The air was thick and humid, but at least the breeze from the open windows of the Jeep allowed for some fresh and cooler air.

Tank woofed beside me, happy to hang his head out the window.

“Don’t get too comfortable, boy. We have some work to do.” The plane was on standby, the pilot a former Navy man himself. He knew how to keep the flight from being noticed, especially since there was only one airport in Bermuda. What I’d found interesting was that the huge police presence Gray had mentioned was nonexistent. Either that meant he’d been lied to or the police no longer gave a shit about a missing American girl.

That pissed me off.

The flight had been without incident, Gray coming through on wiring the cash, emailing me the other necessities. I’d kept a secure line since leaving the SEALs, at least as much as technically possible. Yet on this mission, a burner phone was being used. There was no chance of anyone discovering my real identity.

There were no credit cards and the identification wouldn’t be used unless absolutely necessary. I had cash for emergencies and Gray had handled the Jeep’s acquisition. I didn’t ask questions how nor did I care. This was a simple in and out operation.

As long as I found the girl.

Woof.

Tank’s response brought a smile to my face. Somehow, I had a feeling he knew exactly what I was saying.

“Don’t worry. You help me with this shit, and you’ll get a juicy prime rib out of it. Maybe a cheeseburger for dessert.”

I’d quickly gone through Juliette’s social media. For someone I’d understood was a smart girl, she’d placed her safety in a precarious position by uploading too many pictures that gave her location away, especially since her profiles were public. That had included photographs of the condominium where she and her friends had been staying.

Thankfully, that had made it easier for me to find.

The first stop was the condo, the last place where she’d been seen.

From what I’d read, the police had done a shitty job in their investigation, including ignoring the man seen with her in the video on TikTok. Some local guy. Easy to see. If push came to shove, I’d find him.

The police had already been inside, obviously disturbing the scene of abduction, but that didn’t matter. I wasn’t looking for clues regarding the kidnappers. Someone else had been placed in charge of figuring that out.

I was simply there to survey the scene and pick up her scent. Or for Tank to.

“I’m putting my money on you, buddy. Make your former dad proud. This is what he wanted for you.”

His whine snagged at my heart. At least I knew I still had one.

With speeds in excess of what the roads could handle, I rolled through Hamilton, reaching her condo not long after touching down. Keys weren’t an issue. As force of habit, I’d kept an extraction kit stuffed full of items that I’d found useful over the years.

Knives and rope.