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“We can’t let Micah get away this time,” I reply.
Nick nods, clearly thinking the same thing. “He’s gotten out of trouble too many times in Newport.”
Asher looks up from his phone. “That’s why we’re dealing with this ourselves first. If we go to the cops right away, they’ll hesitate, ask questions, and take their sweet time. By then, Micah could move Mia somewhere else. Or worse.”
I can’t shake the image of the woman in Micah’s grasp. She looks so much like Harper, and that fucking infuriates me. It very well could’ve been Harper instead.
Asher sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Just so we’re clear, if this goes sideways, it’s our asses. Are we ready for that?”
“That’s why we don’t let it go sideways,” Nick says confidently. “We find Mia, deal with Micah, and then hand him over. Easy-peasy.”
“Easy-peasy,” I repeat, knowing this is anything but.
A tense silence falls over us, broken only by the sound of tires on the asphalt.
“Relax, Ash,” Nick finally says with a smirk. “You’ve got me and Brod. What could possibly go wrong?”
“I appreciate your optimism,” I say with a hint of sarcasm. “But I just want to get this over with.”
Nick presses down on the gas a bit more, and the SUV lunges forward. Every second counts, and this time, we can’t afford to fail.
Eventually, he turns off the paved road and onto a narrow gravel path, hidden by overgrown branches and thick brush. The headlights slice through the dark woods, casting long shadows on the trees. Gravel crunches under the tires, the noise way too loud in the heavy silence.
“Kill the lights,” Asher whispers from the passenger seat, his eyes scanning ahead.
Adrenaline pumps through me, and I crack my neck, getting ready. I used to live for trouble like this, but now that I’ve got a future waiting for me, I’m not sure if I want to keep putting myself in danger. Once I get Mia out, I’m done. This will be my last mission, and then I’m focusing on protecting and loving Harper. Retiring from this life feels right.
My eyes narrow on the dim outlines of the road.
We creep forward until the house pops up in the dark, looking like a ghost in the faint moonlight filtering through the pines. Boarded-up windows and peeling paint make it seem abandoned, but I spot fresh tire tracks on the grass. Someone has been here recently.
Nick parks under a shadowy canopy of trees on the other side of the brick wall. He cuts the engine, and silence wraps around us again.
“It’s quiet,” Nick finally says. “Too quiet.”
“Exactly why we need to move fast,” Asher replies, still focused ahead. “Let’s fucking end this.”
His words remind me that Harper, Billie, and Mia are caught up in Micah’s vendetta. It’s our fight now, and I can’t back down; I have to face it, end it. I won’t let Micah slip away again.
Nick catches my eye in the rearview mirror. “Ready?”
Asher turns slightly, his face set with determination as he pulls out his gun and loads it. “We do this fast. No mistakes.”
The weight of responsibility sinks deeper onto my shoulders. “Let’s go. Be invisible,” I say, pushing open the door.
We hop out of the SUV and carefully shut the doors. Each move is smooth and seems almost practiced. Gravel crunches under our boots as we take the driveway toward the house. The cool night air brushes against my skin as we hustle forward. My heart’s steady, but I’m overly aware of any noise or movement around us. I’ve trained for moments like this, and while it’s not ideal, I know I could handle it solo. Having Nick and Asher with me just means we’ll get Mia out safely. Hopefully.
I take the lead, signaling with simple hand gestures for Asher and Nick to spread out and create a tight perimeter. We fall into our positions seamlessly.
Once closer to the house, I can see how run-down it is. Ivy creeps up the walls, every window boarded up, and the front door looks heavily barricaded. I scan for other ways in. Nick points toward a side entrance, barely visible. Asher gives a quick nod and carefully moves to cover our flank. I follow Nick, my footsteps steady as we approach the door. My grip on my gun tightens instinctively, muscles ready for action.
We pause just outside, pressed against the wall. A faint glow seeps out from beneath the slightly open doorway. That means the house has power—not completely abandoned then.
Nick looks over at me.Ready?he mouths.
I nod firmly, exhaling, knowing this will take us less than an hour.
We hang back at the side entrance. Adrenaline races through me, but I keep my breathing steady. Nick shifts beside me, ready to jump into action, and on my other side, Asher’s tense silence is electric. The light spilling from the doorway looks eerie, like a warning for whatever’s waiting inside.