Page 71 of Lethal Vengeance

My teeth grind together. I don’t have someone I can trust. Not with them or with her. When they storm the house, will they remember Sterling and Quinn are inside? Still, I can’t bring myself to switch.

Irritated, I call Cruz. “Status,” I bark, dropping all pleasantries.

Cruz says nothing. Not a word. Damn it.

“Sorry. With you and Raider gone, I have to assign someone to run the op on the house.” I run my hand down my face.

Cruz hums. “What about Sterling?”

“Quinn asked him to be her driver, which puts him in the house. I want him inside and close to her. Any suggestions?” Cruz has run a thousand ops, so maybe he can pick up on something I’m missing.

“I only trust her safety to the four of us.”

His statement is crystal clear. It’s me or someone we don’t trust. “How’s Raider?”

“Eating a damn fine breakfast,” he says derisively. “Bastard knows we’re watching, too. His eye is twitching… repeatedly.”

It takes everything in me to smother my laugh. Raider must be in good spirits if he’s winking at them. “Keep me updated. Don’t take unnecessary chances.” I hang up.

“Is Raider still in his cell?” Quinn asks, concern gleaming in her eyes.

I lean down to whisper in her ear. “They served him a big breakfast. He’s even winking at Cruz and Paulo, knowing they’re watching him, although he’ll regret that later.” It’s true. The danger comes when they attack, but I don’t want her to worry about those three today. She’ll need every bit of focus for herself.

She huffs and walks off.

The day is interminably long. Serious faces review plans or sit in silence, waiting for the moment we pull the trigger.

When the clock finally ticks closer to go time, Margot and the men stuff weapons in every conceivable spot on their body.

I’m already armed to the teeth, so I run through both plans to keep my mind sharp.

Sterling has the 3D models up and running for anyone who wants to take a last look. He’s stuffing computer gear in a backpack to take with him in case we need anything during the op. It will stay in the shiny black car waiting downstairs.

His tailored black suit fits his role perfectly, although it’s considerably more expensive than the typical chauffer could afford. The black leather driving gloves are a touch over the top, but he insists they are necessary.

We pass earpieces out to everyone, then hand the rest to Thomas to give to the others.

“Ten minutes,” I announce.

It’s redundant. Every man and woman in this room is aware of the time.

Where the hell is Quinn?

The sea of men by the door parts when Quinn appears.

I swallow. Fuck me. She looks naked. It’s not just the nude color, but the dress is held together with sheer fabric and lace. My jaw locks. This changes everything.

“Margot is never allowed to pick out a dress for Quinn again,” Sterling snarls beside me.

“I’ll be leading the operation at the house,” I announce, catching Thomas’ eye. When he grins, I subtly flip him off. There’s no way in hell I’m allowing anyone to take charge of her safety.

Margot flashes her two thumbs up, and I suddenly have the urge to throw the young woman out the window. This dress is pure enticement. How the hell is Armando going to react?

“Stunning,” Sterling declares with gritted teeth.

I glower at her. “Beautiful.”

A knife appears in her hand like magic. “Deadly, too.”