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They could have taken an underwater approach, but with their weapons it wasn’t an option. Plus, it was much farther to travel across land.

So, Finland it was.

There, they could regroup and then use the smugglers to get them into the republic.

As the largest country on earth—fun fact, it occupies one-tenth of the land on earth—they had to know exactly where they were going. Fortunately, the team back in the US already knew where Nikolay Mikhailov resided. With a pregnant wife and having just returned from living in New York, it was safe to say he would be in his home in St. Petersburg.

The wheels hit the tarmac, and Mack was pushed back into his seat as the pilot pressed onto the brakes. In minutes they’d taxied to an old-looking hanger.

One of the pilots opened the door a few minutes later, sticking his head out.

“You have ten minutes to get unloaded and out of here.”

“Let’s go boys!” Ben leaped up and fist-bumped Oliver.

The two were best friends and had worked together for a long time at The Institute. Then Ben had been promoted to an SLC—the first after hundreds of years—which made him the second most experienced Moretti warrior on the team beside Kurt.

The Project Shadow team.

Kurt had been chosen to lead the team in the end, after they’d discussed the pros and cons. When Craig wasn’t out in the field with them, he was often the second, so it made sense. He was a strong leader, and it allowed the three assassins to focus on their job at hand.

Mack knew he was there as extra muscle.

Sliding on their backpacks and strapping on their weapons, as they stood in a semi-circle, Mack watched Kurt run his eyes over all of them.

“Oscar Mike,” he said after a moment, ordering them all to move forward.

The jet began to taxi away as they darted into the shadows. There would be little conversation from here on out.

Once they’d gained adequate cover, they dropped to the ground and regrouped.

“Check devices,” Kurt ordered.

They pulled out their phones to ensure the satellite connection was working. Mack couldn’t help being happy he could still message Ella.

Not exactly its purpose, but still.

Vampires could telecommunicate with one another only if they’d shared blood, but he’d absolutely never done that with Ella. While it wasn’t necessarily an intimate thing, if that vampire was your mate, it triggered the mating bond, and you couldn’t change your mind.

So, he hadn’t.

If it wasn’t for his wolf, and needing to tell her about being a hybrid—oh, and the small fact that he might die in fucking Russia—Mack may have bitten his beautiful mate.

There was a lot to tell her. A lot for her to accept.

And a strong chance she wouldn’t.

“Working,” Oliver announced.

“Same.” Ben slid his phone back in the top pocket of his black fatigues.

“Yup.” He and Logan both nodded.

“Okay.” Kurt spun both ways, taking in the terrain.

It was a mix of thick forest and run-down old buildings that looked deserted, but that was a rookie assumption. One none of them would take.

As if on cue, the sound of voices caught their attention.