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CHAPTER 15

Nova paced across the floor of the old Wilson factory, checking her watch for the fiftieth time since they’d put phase one of their plan into action. Not that it was risky. But knowing their entire mission hinged on this one aspect being carried off without a hitch gnawed at her nerves. Because despite how the past ten days had played out — how she would have been killed several times over if it wasn’t for Cooper and the entire Brotherhood mentality — she still had a hard time allowing others to take risks that should be hers.

The by-product of failing Tate, she supposed. The guilt that never quite ebbed. Like a tide that defied the pull of the moon. Always lingering in the background.

Strong hands wrapped around her waist, stopping her when she went to turn before tugging her against a massive chest.

Cooper brushed his mouth across her ear, sending shivers of awareness skittering along her flesh. “You’re going to wear a groove in the floor if you keep pacing.”

Nova sighed, allowing him to bridge some of her weight. Not because she was dizzy or her side was acting up. But because it calmed her. Helped her focus on how to move forward. “She’s late. What if Simmons caught her trying to slip that burner phone into his pocket?”

“Nova. Sweetheart. Emery’s a pro. She’s got this. Besides, she said it would take several minutes for her to track Simmons down then distract him long enough to get the job done. Just give her a bit more time.”

“Time isn’t a luxury we have. Especially when we’re out in the open like this.” She shivered. “I feel exposed.”

“That’s because you’re accustomed to dealing with cartel assholes who could open fire on a city street in broad daylight and get away with it. This place is remote.”

“The cabin was remote, and they still found us there.”

Cooper twisted her within his grasp. “This isn’t about if this place is remote enough or if those mercenaries are going to bust down our door. This is about Emery taking a risk you think you should burden alone.”

“I can’t be the reason anyone else gets hurt. Or worse.”

“I’m not going to reiterate how Tate’s death wasn’t your fault because I get it. We all have blood on our hands, real or imagined. But Emery’s going to be okay. Even if the worst happened, and Simmons caught her shoving a burner cell in his pocket, nothing bad will happen. He’s not going to shoot a fellow detective at the precinct. So, relax. You’re still the one taking all the risks.”

“ If this goes according to plan. And now that we’re here, it feels like a pretty big if.”

She was counting on Simmons wanting the ledgers back more than he wanted her dead. Which was starting to feel like wishful thinking.

Until Cooper’s phone rang.

He released her, answering the call and placing it on speaker. “Talk to us, Emery.”

“The mission’s a go. It took me a bit longer to track the bastard down, but I swear I could have stolen his watch, his wallet and his damn nine mil and he wouldn’t have noticed. Slipping the phone in was easy. So, whenever Nova’s ready…”

“Excellent. And Emery… Thank you. I’m not sure what we would have done if you hadn’t put your faith in us.”

“Crashed and burned. Stay sharp. We’ll be waiting in the wings. And Cooper, this time, try not to blow anything up.”

Nova grinned as the line went dead. “I dare say you’ve got yourself a reputation.”

“As Bellamy already pointed out, we didn’t blow up your car or the shed, but… I’ll see what I can do. You ready?”

Ready? This was the part she’d been waiting for. Where she finally felt as if she had some control over the outcome. Because one way or another, Simmons was going down.

Nova smiled, slipped her hand behind Cooper’s head and dragged him down for a hot, soul-searing kiss. She wiped her thumb across his mouth, then grabbed her burner cell and hit the number before she reconsidered — reran all the reasons she should just grab Cooper and get lost somewhere no one would ever find them.

Simmons answered on the fifth ring. “Who the hell is this?”

Nova grinned. The asshole was already off-kilter, just like she’d hoped. “Hello, Simmons.”

The man grunted, heavy footsteps sounding in the distance for a few moments before he grunted into the phone. “Martin. I didn’t realize you were still breathing.”

“I’ll admit. You’ve given it your best shot to see that I’m not, but your men keep missing the mark.”

He laughed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Denial. That’s good because you never know who’s listening. Which brings me to the point of my call. We need to meet.”

“Are you turning yourself in? Because that’s one meeting I’d attend.”

“Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a trade.”

Silence. She’d obviously piqued his interest.

He breathed into the mic, waiting a full minute before snorting. “I’m listening.”

“You know what I have, and all I can say is… Damn. Paulin was a paranoid son of a bitch. He recorded everything.”

“What do you want in exchange, Martin?”

“My freedom.”

He scoffed. “That’s out of my hands.”

“You’d better hope it isn’t. Now, are you interested? Or do I call someone else who will be?”

“Fine. The DEA office?—”

“Not a chance. The old Wilson factory. If you leave now, you should be here in fifteen — faster if you use your lights. I’d say come alone, but we both know you won’t. Just don’t bring anyone you care about because I’ve got nothing to lose. And I won’t go quietly if you cross me.”

She hung up before he could answer, frowning at the way Cooper was shaking his head. “What?”

“Now I know why you’re so good at your job. You’re scary.”

“Let’s just hope it works on Simmons because he’s not the kind of asshole I generally deal with. And there’s the part where I was bluffing. Waylen and Bellamy haven’t decoded enough of the ledger to prove Simmons’ name is in there. We’re essentially guessing on the bits of intel we do know.”

“There’s something in there he doesn’t want to get out. You good?”

“My part’s easy. Keep him busy while you and your team do all the heavy lifting. Which I hate, by the way.”

“You’re the one who’s banking on the fact he won’t come in guns blazing, again. Which is entirely possible, especially if he brings an army of mercenaries with him.”

“I’ll be fine. You just keep your damn head down. Because I swear to god, if you die on me…”

She’d be lost. The kind of fatal blow she’d never recover from. Losing Tate had gutted her. Losing Cooper…

It would shatter her soul.

Cooper’s radio chirped.

“Coop? Emery just called. She said Simmons drove out of the station with lights and sirens. He’ll be here in five.”

“Copy, Bellamy. I’ll be right there with Whiskey.”

Cooper pursed his lips, looking as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how to voice it.

Nova gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ll see you on the flip side.”

“You remember the code word?”

“Hard to forget. And Coop…”

He smiled when she stared at him like he’d done a moment earlier. “Me, too.”

He turned, whistling for Whiskey. The canine loped over, immediately taking her position on his right side as they crossed over to the far wall, then out the door. No hesitation. No looking back. She’d have to thank him later for that. For trusting her. Trusting in the plan because… it was risky at best.

Nova rolled her shoulder, checking her weapons one more time. Hawk had gotten her a Kevlar vest, and she ran her fingers down the front, hoping she wouldn’t need it. Though, that was more wishful thinking because this op had firefight written all over it.

The comm in her ear buzzed, Cooper’s voice sounding a moment later. “Simmons is pulling up now. Looks like seven men with him. They’re fanning out as expected. I’ll keep the channel open but for god’s sake, don’t wait until he’s about to fire before calling us in.”

Her ear piece cut out, but she knew Cooper was still there. They’d agreed she’d only be able to hear him, so she didn’t get distracted by all the other chatter — was able to focus on Simmons and how to keep him engaged. But everyone could hear her and she had to admit, it was unnerving. Knowing they’d all be listening. That they’d hear her breath hitch or any slight hesitation in her voice. She’d only ever had Tate as backup, when he’d shown up, and knowing she had an entire team watching her six…

She wasn’t sure how to feel.

Blessed she supposed. Or cursed if she got any of them killed.

Another click in her ear. Simmons was at the door.

Showtime…

Make that twelve large, heavily armed mercenaries guarding Simmons’ back. The last five arriving a minute later via a scrubby dirt track south of the building. Impressive numbers considering Nova hadn’t given him much time. Though, Cooper suspected the bastard had the men on speed dial for exactly this kind of scenario. And he bet his ass Simmons was banking on his team being more skilled than Nova’s.

Which spoke to how cocky and unhinged the guy was because he could bring two dozen with him, and Cooper’s team would still ensure Nova didn’t get so much as a scratch.

Not that she seemed worried about her own safety. In fact, Cooper knew, without a doubt, she would have preferred to have undertaken the entire op alone. Been the only one at risk of dying.

Not on his watch.

Bellamy shuffled in beside him, keeping Tucker hidden in the shadows. “I knew Simmons would come armed for resistance, but damn…”

Cooper snorted. “Fucker either leaves here cuffed or in a body bag.”

“Amen, brother.” Bellamy glanced at Ethan and Rusty, then back to Cooper. “It’s your girl’s life on the line, so it’s your call which group we sideline first.”

His girl.

Only now, it meant so much more than friendly razzing. And Cooper would be damned if he let Nova down.

“Definitely the newcomers. They aren’t your typical hired goons. Did you get a good look at their vests?”

“You mean the ones with grenades and K-bars?” Bellamy grunted. “I got a quick peak.”

“I’m thinking ex-military. Or maybe retired tactical officers who are loyal to Simmons. My gut’s telling me he’s counting on them to be his main line of defense. That he’ll use the others more for show.”

“South section it is. What about Emery’s request?”

“To leave some of them breathing?” Cooper warred with the voice in his head that warned him not to leave a viable threat on the board. “If we can take this first group quietly with non-lethal hits, we will.”

“And the obvious cartel assholes who are heading in with Simmons?”

“Whatever means necessary to ensure Nova keeps breathing.”

Rusty and Ethan nodded, then they all struck off. Sticking to the deep pockets hugging the building. Not so fast they’d make any noise, but they weren’t simply walking. They reached the corner, Rusty taking point. He pressed his back into the wall then darted out enough to take a quick peak. He made a few hands signals, then they were zipping around the edge and quick-stepping to the entrance.

The large metal door hadn’t even fully closed by the time they reached it, Rusty shoving his foot into the narrow space to stop the damn thing from slamming shut. Bellamy and Ethan went in first, clearing the small chamber then holding their positions as Rusty and Cooper darted ahead. They moved quickly to the adjoining door, listening for voices before slivering it open.

Just their luck, the damn entrance opened into the main section of the factory. Old machinery covered half the floor, making the section more of a maze than a room. Dark silhouettes disappeared into the shadows, the other men noticeably separating.

Cooper twirled his finger then headed right, his teammates all fanning out beside him. Whiskey stayed close, her ears twitching with every small scuff or creak. Nova was already talking on his comm, each word a verbal countdown until the meeting would reach its inevitable end. And Cooper knew Simmons wouldn’t let Nova walk away, even with her dangling the second ledger out as leverage. The guy was too cocky — probably thought he’d be able to source it out. Which meant dealing with these assholes quickly so Cooper’s team could move on to the others.

Cooper reached the corner of some of that machinery moving fast, his focus on the armed tango creeping across the floor in front of him. The guy was pausing every few feet and cocking his head. What Cooper guessed was him listening to either Simmons or the rest of his crew. Maybe waiting for their cue to engage.

The bastard wouldn’t get the chance.

Two steps and he was in Cooper’s crosshairs. Another two and the guy was down, writhing on the floor from the shots to his vest and leg. Cooper raced forward, cold-cocking him with the butt of his rifle before he could do more than grunt.

A pair of zap straps and a piece of tape, and the asshole was incapacitated. Cooper wasn’t sure how much blood the bastard would lose before this situation had been wrapped up, but with any luck, the man would still be breathing.

Whiskey tensed beside him, growling at something off to his left. Mostly likely that fifth guy circling back. Maybe he’d heard the low thud of the suppressed rounds. Or maybe the tango Cooper had downed had muttered something into his comm before he’d been knocked out.

Having the guy materialize out of the shadows a second later, hadn’t been the plan, but Cooper adapted. He grabbed the guy he’d just hogtied and lifted him up, using him as a shield when the other tango opened fire. Not that it helped with Cooper’s pledge to keep some of them alive, but it beat him getting killed.

The mercenary froze for a second when he realized he’d hit his teammate and that was all the opening Cooper needed. He dropped the guy as he drew his pistol, catching the other man twice in the chest and once in the shoulder — knocking him onto his back. He guy rolled from the impact, staggering back to his feet and sweeping his weapon toward them.

But Whiskey was already two steps away. A leap and a bite and the guy’s arm was in her jaws as he hit the ground, again, tossed left and right when the dog shook her head. He didn’t even have time to reach for that K-Bar on his vest before Cooper had covered the distance, booting the guy in the head.

He stilled, blood already pooling from the hit to his shoulder. Cooper repeated the process, tying the guy up and silencing him then sweeping forward, when Nova’s voice changed. Not that Simmons would notice, but Cooper did. A slight edge that indicated she was quickly running out of time.

Which meant no more worrying about how he downed any threat, just that he eliminated it. His team was already at the hallway when he came up behind them, moving fast. He gave them a quick hand signal, and they darted ahead, once again fanning out. Those other men Simmons had brought with him were positioned in a lopsided semi-circle around Nova. All waiting just out of sight, ready to blindside her once Simmons gave them some kind of sign.

Rusty, Ethan and Bellamy moved off to Cooper’s left while he went right. Circling around until Simmons was directly in front of him. He trusted his buddies to deal with the others, readying himself when Nova finally said their trigger word.

He released Whiskey and stepped into the fray.