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I nod once and stay crouched low behind the row of cars. The lot offers decent cover. A few delivery vans are parked along the edge of the dock. We’re close enough to hear if the men speak above a whisper, but not so close they’ll spot us.

They walk casually, heading toward the edge of the building. The taller one lights a cigarette and exhales like he has all the time in the world. His partner scans the perimeter, but not carefully enough to suggest they’re expecting guests.

“This won’t take long,” the tall one says.

“Unless someone’s hiding her,” the smaller man replies.

“They are.”

“How do you know?”

“Because she wouldn’t last this long on her own.”

There’s a pause, then a low laugh.

“She’ll be dragged home,” the first man says. “That’s not a question. And Davit will put that bitch in her place.”

Boone stands. It’s like the movement is automatic. He just straightens to his full height and steps out from behind the vehicle.

Shit. We’ve just gone from quiet surveillance to open declaration. I have no other option at this point so I stand as well.

The two men turn in our direction. They don’t look surprised, which sets off about a thousand alarm bells in my head.

“Well,” the taller one says, voice smooth. “Captain Caldwell, what a surprise.”

Boone doesn’t respond.

“You’re a long way from the mountains, Captain,” the tall one says. “Don’t suppose you’re here for a warehouse tour.”

Neither of us say a damn thing.

“And you thought you’d just drop by one of our buildings and eavesdrop?”

Boone steps forward once. His voice is deep and clear. “Stay away from her.”

Jesus Christ. Well, we’ve just gone and given everything away now. Boone is usually the controlled one. He thinks three steps ahead and sees obstacles before they even have a chance to manifest. He’s the reason our squad made it back from some of the worst deployments we ever saw.

But right now?

He’s not thinking. He’s just reacting.

The taller man’s expression changes. He doesn’t back down. But the game’s shifted now, and he knows it. “Didn’t realize your station was running a boarding house for wayward bitches.”

The tendons in Boone’s neck pop out. “Try to come near her. See what fucking happens.”

Boone takes another step forward, and I feel the tension in the air spike yet again.

“Your problem’s not with her,” I say. “It’s with the deal you thought you made.”

“Who said anything about a deal?” the man asks, all mock innocence.

Boone laughs, low and humorless. “Tell Davit if he wants to make a claim, he can crawl up that hill himself.”

“We’ll pass it along,” the man says.

His partner hasn’t said a word, but his eyes haven’t left Boone since the moment we stood.

I step between them before Boone does something we’ll all regret. “Message delivered. Now unless you’re looking to escalate, I suggest you keep walking.”