Page 115 of Free to Judge

Then, because I can’t take anymore, I let the darkness consume me.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

The four ofus slide out of the SUV as quietly as possible. Jon’s waiting—garbed in all black. His face is grim.

Keene snaps, “Status report.”

“Four total. Three Byrne enforcers, one Marshall psychopath.” His eyes hold mine. “The real question is whether you or Declan are going to take the kill shot on dear old Grandfather.”

Keene stills before hissing, “My father’s in there? Is Kalie hurt?”

Jon’s nod tenses every muscle in my body. I snap, “How bad?”

“Face and ribs for certain. I can’t tell much more from where I’ve been able to observe.”

The air is rent with curses from four different directions. McCullough hands me a semi-automatic weapon and a web vest that’s already kitted out with enough ammo to take down a small city block. “What’s the plan?”

“To get my fucking daughter out of there alive and to kill my father. Preferably fast. It’s not rocket science.” Keene’s on the razor’s edge of sanity right now.

Jon holds up a hand. Brave man. I never knew how much until he says, “Uncle Keene, Kalie wants him alive.”

Every muscle in my body tenses when he hisses, “What?”

“I recorded as much as I could.” With that, he plays back the last few minutes before he got the signal to meet us.

The last time I saw her, she was hoping Declan would rescue her too. And here you are—doing the same, I bet.

She didn’t survive you. I will. And when I do, I’ll enjoy testifying at your trial. Then, when I put you away, I’ll have another thing in common with my Aunt Cassidy. I’ll have survived you.

Oh, if only you’re alive to claim that win, lass.

“Then we give Kalie the choice—kill him or get Jack out alive,” I growl. “She delivers his justice.”

Keene turns on me like I’m fresh meat. “You’re insane.”

“No. I want to give your daughter the opportunity to regain her power. It’s the only way she will.”

Something like respect flickers in Keene’s eyes for barely a second. Then malice returns to the forefront. “Take out anyone in the way of Kalie. Then, we take care of Jack.”

I’m on board with that plan. I’m already planning my first moves once we get inside, ready to take out the enemy with razor-sharp movements. Use deadly force only if necessary. I slide on my tactical face mask and wait.

Keene gives the signal and we don’t speak. We don’t need to. All Hudson forward maneuvering agents are trained for this.

Don’t think. Just act.

In the lead, Keene takes down the first guard swiftly—silent as death. It’s a smooth single motion with his elbow that crushes the man’s throat before he can even raise his gun. The next two are farther down the alley, near the entrance to the warehouse. McCullough and Clifton move like shadows, closing the distance without a sound. They take down one, dropping him like he’s nothing. McCullough’s brutal kick breaks the gunman’s grip. Then Clifton kicks his throat before he can call out to the other.

Finally, Jon slides forward. He ruthlessly applies his steel knife across the throat of the final guard. I’m surprised his head is still attached when it’s done. Still, Jon doesn’t let him fall, giving Jack the advantage inside the warehouse.

Now, it’s my turn. I slide up to the warehouse—wary of any alarms or tripwires. Closing the distance without any sound, I’m focused on one man.

One enemy.

One last obstacle before Kalie is safe.

When I reach the warehouse entrance, I do a final perimeter check, just in case more reinforcements arrived while Jon was coordinating with us. Shit. There are two more guards near the door. Fortunately, they’re too distracted by one another, talking instead of keeping watch.

They deserve what they’re about to get.