Page 55 of Fatal Intent

“Copy that.”

Grant and Rayne grabbed their Go bags and crawled over the backseat to the cargo area where Grant kicked out the back window.

“Rifles?” Rayne asked.

“Last resort. I have a few explosives left, and we have grenades. Let’s try those first.” He opened his bag. “Get your grenade launcher. You take the left. I’ll take the right.”

Rayne unzipped her bag, pocketed four grenades, and grabbed her grenade launcher. After climbing back over the seat and lowering the left side window, she balanced on the window frame. “A nice, smooth ride, please, Andre,” she called out.

“Copy that. Just get it done, will you?”

She looked over the roof of the SUV at Grant. When he was set, he nodded. Focusing on her target, Rayne gently squeezed the trigger. A split second later, the left Jeep exploded followed by the right Jeep.

The middle vehicle used evasive maneuvers to avoid a similar fate.

“Get ready,” Grant called.

Rayne readied the launcher and zeroed in on the remaining Jeep. “Ready.”

“Aim in front of the Jeep on the right side. Fire when ready.”

Five seconds later, she squeezed the trigger again. An enormous explosion ripped through the asphalt, spraying dirt and debris into the air. The driver jerked the wheel to the left.

Grant fired. The Jeep exploded into a ball of flames.

“Yes!” Seth said. “Great job. Now get back inside the SUV and let’s get out of here.”

“Copy that.” She and Grant lowered themselves back into the vehicle and raised the windows.

They completed the rest of the journey to the airstrip without further trouble and soon the three SUVs parked at the edge of the tarmac. The operatives bailed from the vehicles with their Go bags. Members of Echo helped the Whites and the bodyguard into the jet while Artemis provided cover for their teammates.

Once their principals were inside the jet, Iona signaled Artemis. Rayne and the others ran up the jet’s stairs as theengines powered up. As soon as Elias and Andre secured the door, the jet rolled down the airstrip.

The operatives hurried to their seats and fastened their safety belts as the jet picked up speed, racing down the airstrip. Seconds later, the aircraft lifted off the ground.

“Perfect timing,” Grant murmured. He inclined his head toward the window. “More cartel soldiers just arrived on the tarmac.”

“They were determined to capture their hostages again.”

“Makes me wonder why. They should have cut their losses and been done with it.”

“Money?”

“Perhaps.”

They fell silent until the jet reached the correct altitude and they could unfasten their safety belts.

Jake scooped Mrs. White into his arms and walked toward the bedroom at the back of the jet.

“Jake, would it be all right if I took a quick shower while you check Mrs. White?” Rayne motioned to her uniform. “I need to change clothes in the worst way.”

“No problem.”

“Thanks.” She didn’t mind getting dirty on missions. Wearing someone else’s blood was another matter altogether. Rayne glanced at Grant. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“I’ll have food waiting for you.”

She grabbed her Go bag and followed Jake and Mrs. White to the back bedroom. While the medic situated his patient on the bed, Rayne slipped into the bathroom. After turning on the water, she stripped off the soiled clothes and stepped into the stream of hot water with a soft groan. Despite the temptation to linger, she soaped up and rinsed off quickly. Jake might need access to the bathroom as he treated his patient’s wounds.