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T he team and Julio’s men gathered in the war room at the facility. “Does anyone have any questions?” Leo asked after they finished the details of the raid.

“Team A, follow Saint. Team B, go with Ivan. Team C, you’re with me,” Leo ordered the men to the helos.

Julio approached Leo. “We have the warrants to search the house, the grounds, and his office. The bastard will go down tonight. We’ll take custody and head to a secure location.” He handed Leo a folder. “I’m off grid again as soon as we receive the information. If I’m needed, you know how to reach me. In the meantime, keep this safe.”

Knight waited. Saint called him to the meeting and mentioned Leo wanted to speak with him. After listening to the details of the raid, he felt relief roll over him. After tonight, his family would be safe from harm.

“Knight,” Leo called him forward as Julio left. “Since this involves your wife, we took an early vote. We want to offer you a position on Team Hawk. You can go over the contracts tomorrow. Do you want to tag along on the raid?”

Knight swallowed. This team showed how they backed each other. Now, they planned to raid Gabby’s former boss’s home and firm to take down the man who hurt her. “Hell, yeah.”

Leo nodded. “Go with Patch and suit up. He’ll show you to your locker.”

Knight followed his friend, wishing to call Gabby. Bryanna asked her to have dinner at her house to keep her mind off the raid. They discussed if he might go along, yet he told her he doubted it, considering his position with the team.

Patch threw him a vest. “Put this on. Your locker’s beside mine on the right. Leave your keys, wallet and shit in there. Saint will assign you a gun.”

Knight walked the rows of lockers, noticing Patch’s name he glanced at the one beside it. A piece of tape covered the nameplate and it read “Asshole.”

Knight grinned as he peeled it back while giving his friend, now teammate, the finger. “Do I have time to call Gabby and tell her?”

“Send her a quick text. We’re with Leo,” he advised.

Not wanting to piss off his new leader, he hustled, stowing his items away and putting the vest on.

They loaded the helo and Leo spoke over the coms. “We didn’t read you in on everything tonight. Stick with Patch and follow orders. Got it?”

“Loud and clear,” he responded. Ragu nodded his congratulations while Taco sent him a thumbs up.

Doc rested his elbows on his knees and texted furiously.

“What’s going on, Doc?” Leo asked.

“Kassie’s not feeling great. She went home early without anyone telling her to.” The team exchanged glances.

“Then why the hell did you come?” Leo scowled.

“Victoria texted, telling me a few minutes ago.”

“PITA’s your priority. When we land, take one of the stashed vehicles and return home. You came only as backup, and Patch rode along. Don’t argue.”

“Got it, boss,” Doc responded, appearing relieved.

“What’s the deal? Doesn’t he have three kids already?” Knight nudged Patch.

“She’s carrying twins. Kassie’s the backbone of the team. She built the facility and purchased a helo and Victoria provided the other two. Our vests stay top-of-the-line, the equipment we use gets updated constantly, and she’s the first one at the door when one of the team’s injured. You’re not only part of the team, you’re family. When you hurt, we all do. We may not share blood, but we hold a bond like no other,” Patch explained while Leo and Taco spoke into the coms.

When they landed, he watched Leo pat Doc on the back and send him home to his wife. The men loaded into cars brought by men Knight recognized from the mountain, yet didn’t know how they fit into the team.

Patch elbowed him. “They’re cool. It’s another story for a different time.”

They watched Taco and Ragu approach the door with two FBI agents. They breached the door within seconds and armed men filed into the house. Shots fired and Knight listened through the coms. Mr. Wilkinson yelled his fury as they led him in handcuffs to the vehicles. Within minutes, they whisked him away as agents searched the house.

“Patch,” one of the agents shouted for his friend. “We got a GSW to the arm, nothing serious. Can you check it out?”

Patch rushed to the young agent’s side and applied first aid. “First time on a raid?” Patch asked. The man nodded and grinned as the adrenaline ran through him. Knight recalled the feeling and knew in a few years from now, the agent wouldn’t blink at the small wound and be forever changed.

“Knight! Knight,” Saint called out.

“Over here,” he called as he watched Saint’s concerned expression.

“Load into helo one, the team’s waiting,” Saint ordered.

Dread filled every bone in his body as Patch grabbed his arm, propelling him toward the helo. Leo stood at the door, waiting for his men.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded as Saint shoved him inside. Leo climbed in, indicating to the helicopter pilot to lift off.

“It’s Gabby. She’s gone.”