Page 47 of Lethal Vengeance

“Quinn, report,” I order her.

“Staying here to keep the count,” she murmurs quietly into the comms. “Will get myself out in a couple of days.”

The shadow pauses at the gate.

“Don’t do anything rash. I’ll be back to cover you when the package is safe,” Cruz informs Quinn, his voice hard.

Why the hell didn’t I see this coming? I assume Armando ordered her to bring back Samantha, and this was Quinn’s solution. One she didn’t feel comfortable sharing with us… me. A sharp sting pierces my chest, but I shove it away with anger.

Sterling and a tall, blond girl slip in beside me.

“Raider, check in,” I tell him.

A flood of Spanish comes over the comms. “Merda. Go.”

Heaving to my feet, I quickly pack up the sniper’s rifle and stow it in its case. Pulling out my pistol, I wave them forward. “Move out.”

Sterling takes lead, we position Margot in the middle, and I cover us from the rear.

“Cruz, double back. Get a status,” I order him. “Rendezvous base.”

“Copy,” he replies.

The night is quiet on the way back to our base of operations. When we get there, Sterling helps Margot get settled while I pace a rut in the floor.

Thirty minutes later, Cruz walks in the door.

“Status,” I rap out impatiently.

“Guards were given Raider’s picture tonight. Not sure where it originated. He’s being held in one of the annex cells,” Cruz reveals. “Quinn pulled off her neck comms, but she tapped her ear when I went by.” His lips quirk in memory. “She must be wearing the earpiece I had from the first night.”

Sterling breathes out a sigh of relief. “Her comms went dark a few seconds before you walked in, and I’d feared the worst.” He walks over to take our neck comms from us. “Unfortunately, the range of our earpieces is roughly two miles, and the battery lasts six hours on average. We’ll have to keep switching them out.”

I slam my fist on the table. “That bastard! This whole situation stinks of Armando. But why? For failing to get the right girl out?”

Sterling nods. “Possibly. Something he said convinced Quinn there would be dire consequences if the count wasn’t right.”

“Three of the cartel’s top dogs are arriving tomorrow,” the girl interjects. “If he gave them counts, the numbers would include Samantha.” She looks around expectantly. “I assume you decided not to send her back?” Her deep blue eyes are watching us closely.

Tomorrow. It’s too soon to get either of them out. I rub a hand over my face while I think of our options. “We sent her to Chicago with Aria.”

“Good,” Margot says firmly. “She isn’t a fighter, so it’s best she stays out of the way. What’s the plan?”

My eyes dart to the confident girl standing on my left. “We won’t be able to get them out tomorrow. I’ll take you to Miami, then return.” I glance at Sterling and Cruz. “You two will stay here. Find out more information. Start working on a plan to get them out. Quinn will be easy once the cartel leaves. Raider is likely only staying because of Quinn.”

“No, I mean—what is your plan to rescue everyone and shut down this entire operation?” she demands, arms crossed with a defiant look on her face.

“We intend to deal with that after you’re home and our people are out,” I state slowly, trying to force some level of patience into my voice.

She scowls. “First, I’m not going home. Second, if you wait, it will be too late. Everyone is getting shipped out in a week,” she smugly informs me. “The cartel is moving Armando and his trafficking operations closer to their headquarters.”

And the fucking hits keep on coming.

22

ZANE

Sterling drops into the chair across from me and immediately pulls his computer closer. A few keys later, he brings up the cams I had Raider install the first day. A few guards are walking the perimeter, but there’s not a soul inside.