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My military training kicks in.
Micah isn’t a soldier. He’s dangerous, reckless, and desperate, but he doesn’t have combat training. I hold on to that thought; it sharpens my focus. It’s an edge we can use.
Nick gives a countdown with his fingers, starting from three. I take a deep breath, getting my head straight as he hits one. Then he quickly swings the door open and slips inside smoothly. I follow him, gun up, scanning the dark space quickly.
The room is small, cramped, and lit by a single bare bulb hanging overhead. Dusty furniture fills the place, clearly abandoned ages ago. It’s dead silent, broken only by our careful breathing and my racing heart. Asher shuts the door behind us. The house feels like a tomb. The stale air almost chokes me, and every creak under our feet echoes around us.
Nick heads toward the next doorway, signaling us to follow. We fall into line, and the weight of my retirement feels heavier with each step.
I’m set on ending Micah’s reign of terror tonight.
We clear the first room quickly. The next one is a kitchen, dimly lit by a flickering yellow bulb. It’s empty too. He’s around here somewhere—I can feel it—and a chill of dread settles in my bones. Suddenly, Nick stops, spotting something at the back wall. He tilts his chin, pointing out a faint outline, partially hidden behind an old pantry shelf. It’s a door.
My pulse races with excitement. Everything in me knows that whatever’s behind that door will lead us right to Mia and then to that motherfucker.
Asher moves stealthily toward it, careful of the creaky floorboards; his movements are calculated. He glances back at me, eyes asking. I give a quick nod, and he pulls the pantry aside just enough to fully reveal the doorway.
A shadowy stairwell is behind it, and it goes down into pure darkness. Every muscle is tense with anticipation, as we’re just moments away from facing whatever’s down there.
I step up, taking the lead. It’s my responsibility, my fight—one I’ve been waiting over a decade to end.
I glance at Asher and Nick. Their faces are hard but supportive; they’re ready to follow wherever this goes. The bond we’ve built over the years, even though they’re total pains in my ass, gives me strength.
I head down the stairs, overly alert, picking up on every little sound or movement. Each step creaks under my weight, loud in the heavy silence, but I can’t help it. Asher and Nick follow behind me, guns ready, keeping an eye on my back as we go deeper into the depths of the basement.
The air gets colder and thicker, smelling like mildew and something else—something familiar. I think I hear a whimper, barely there but unmistakable, sending a surge of protectiveness through me.
Mia.
Anger bubbles just beneath the surface, sharpening my senses and only gearing me up for what’s ahead.
I pinpoint where I think I heard it from and signal to Nick and Asher behind me. We carefully move deeper into the basement, weapons raised and senses on high alert.
Every step gets me closer to Mia and to Micah Rhodes. Can’t fucking wait.
I push down the surge of anger rising inside me. My eyes scan the dimness, taking in the shadows. Nick moves past me. He narrows his eyes, quickly checking every corner and potential hiding spot. The room feels abandoned, with dusty furniture and forgotten items scattered around. It’s a snapshot of life before Micah brought his bullshit here.
I stay alert as Nick suddenly pauses. He signals with two fingers toward the far end of the room. My heart races, adrenaline kicking in as I follow his cue. Behind an old, rusty fridge, a small space comes into view. It’s a partially hidden doorframe, barely visible under layers of dust and grime. It’s the perfect secret entrance—easy to miss unless you know exactly what you’re looking for.
This has to be where they are.
Asher quickly joins us, his face darkening as he realizes what the hidden doorway means. He locks eyes with mine, and we know Mia’s here. And where Mia is, Micah’s not far behind, ready for trouble.
“Make the call as soon as you can,” I whisper to Asher, and he nods.
Nick gestures again, his movements sharp and calculated. He steps up, pushing the fridge aside, trying not to make any noise for anyone who might be listening on the other side of that door. The scraping sound is soft, but it feels way too loud.
Asher moves next to me, gun steady and aimed at the entrance. He gives me a quick nod, letting me know he’s ready. I keep my weapon raised and steady; my military and security training grounds me. My hand is steady; my mind is focused.
Nick carefully turns the doorknob, inching it open. The hinges creak, but luckily, it’s quiet enough not to draw attention. Beyond the doorway is a long, dark hallway.
I take a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever’s lurking inside. Nick goes first, moving silently down the narrow hall. I follow right behind him; each step feels heavy. Asher watches our backs, covering us as we slip farther into the hidden room. The air grows damper and musty, mixed with a metallic smell that makes my stomach turn.
Suddenly, a scared whimper breaks the silence, faint but unmistakably real.
My throat tightens, and I clench my jaw, knowing we’re closer than ever. We’re moments away from facing the nightmare Micah is forcing this poor woman to live. I lift my hand for Nick and Asher to move carefully. We step closer and closer, the faint sounds of Mia’s frightened breaths guiding us.
I want to reassure her, but I don’t know if Micah is close by.