Page 97 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Nolan

Time creeps by as we wait for night to fall.

The rest of my team came back and we’re all milling around, going over the blueprints, watching the warehouse, checking and rechecking our weapons.

We’re all on edge, as the time ticks by, ready for everything.

Tension is high and tempers are on edge.

Ashley’s had to talk Xavier off the ledge twice today.

He’s so high-strung, he thinks something will happen.

I start to question if bringing him along is a good idea, but then he calms down and I know if I leave him behind, he’ll go off the deep end and hurt himself or get himself killed.

I understand where he’s coming from and can sympathize with him.

Ace and King appeared a few hours ago and intimidating isn’t a strong enough word to describe King.

He has said little, but his dark eyes watch everything.

He’s massively built, like an enforcer and not a VP, and detailed tattoos cover his dark skin.

I remember him from The Circle when Ashley was there to fight.

He was the one guy who blocked Switch from coming after us.

After Ace passed out greetings, he stayed in the corner of the room and watched us get ready.

He and Ace had a few conversations, and he warmed up to Mia.

Unsure of how to handle Mia at first, she broke through his tough guy act and now they’re talking to each other.

Mia does that to people though. He just hasn’t seen her side of crazy yet.

That should be fun if she brings it out.

Christian approaches Ashley and me while watching Mia and King talk.

His light brown eyes are pinning Mia to her spot.

She’s watching him, watch her. There’s something different about him tonight.

A side we don’t normally see. He shifts his eyes in our direction, “I don’t know about this,” he says concern etches in his voice.

“She’ll be fine, Christian. Mia knows how to handle herself and if it gets too weird, she’ll bring her crazy out.” Ashley says.

Christian snorts, “That’s what I’m worried about. If she gets too crazy, he won’t know what to do with her.”

“Doc will know. She’ll be arriving soon and can handle Mia’s crazy.

Trust me. If I thought this was a bad idea I’d stay here with her.

We need to stay focused on the main goal.

” Ashley says as she chambers a round in the .

45 Colt and holsters it to her side. Holy shit, that’s hot.

I shake my head and try to get rid of the dirty thoughts passing through my mind.

She gives me a wink as she picks up a .38 Smith and Wesson, checks the rounds, and chambers one, strapping it to her ankle.

“Now boss,” Ashley whispers getting my attention, “You can unstrap me later.”

Her teasing tone does things to my body and I will myself to calm down.

I shake my head and stand behind her, pulling her back to my front so she can feel what she does to me every second of the day and whisper in her ear.

“You can’t say these things to me. I’ll be sporting a hard-on for the rest of the night if you do.

” I nip at her neck and she releases a soft moan.

“Nolan,” Harris call my name drawing my attention. “Switch and Wrath just left the warehouse. It’s go time.”

My mind immediately snaps out of the lust craving and into attack mode. I release Ashley and finish strapping my weapons to my body. King and Mia watch our every move.

“Please bring her back safe,” Mia pleads.

“I’ll be here waiting once we get the doc from the airport.

” I offer her a nod and move quickly as we file out the door and into the elevator.

Adrenaline fills the small space as we reach the lobby and walk through.

Heads turn in our direction and people move out of our way quickly.

I’m in the lead with Ashley and Ace on each side.

Ashton, Christian, Xavier, and Rush are behind us followed by Harris, Marks, and Ramirez.

We walk out into the night air and a shiver passes over my body creating goosebumps on my exposed skin.

The three cars we borrowed from Ace earlier are idling at the curb.

Ashley climbs into the driver’s side of the Shelby GT 500.

Harris, Xavier, and I follow. Ashton, Rush, Christian, and Marks get into the Dodge Viper and Ace and Ramirez climb into the Dodge Charger Hellcat.

Ashley peels out onto the street and the other two cars follow, hot on her tail.

She’s dodging and weaving like a woman on a mission.

Ashton’s voice comes into my head through my earpiece. We each have one for communication. “Let’s go over the plan one more time.”

“We’re going to park down the street on the east side of the building.

Ace’s men will be watching the south, north and west side exits.

Ace and Rush will have the three exits covered on the east side with the cars.

The rest of us will use the fire escape on the south side of the building and enter from the roof.

Stay away from the skylights. Once we’re inside, we’ll do a sweep of the office spaces on the catwalk, sticking to the shadows.

When those are clear, Marks, Ramirez, and Harris will set up on the catwalk and watch for hostiles.

Ashton, Ashley, Xavier, and I will go down to the ground level, extract Izzy and Redline, and meet you all at the cars. ”

“What if Austin is there?” Ashley asks.

Dread fills my mind thinking about what could happen. He’s been protecting Izzy, but will he come with us? “If he wants to come with us, he can. But I can’t guarantee he will. We’ll deal with that when the time comes. For now, let’s focus on getting Izzy out.”

Ashley’s grip tightens on the steering wheel and her jaw is set. “Fine.” She barks out through clenched teeth. “He’s still my brother, Nolan. If any one of you hurt him, you’ll answer to me,” she growls.

“You all hear that? Do not do anything to Austin. He’s been protecting Izzy by his own choice.”

Copy that fills my head and I look over at Ashley.

She’s pissed. I rest my hand on her knee and she shifts slightly.

It’s a subtle move and I understand it. She doesn’t bat my hand away as I gently grip her knee, but I can see the conflict passing on her face.

“Ashley, I get it, he’s your brother. You’ve got to focus on the job at hand and not what he’s doing. ”

Her eyes cut to mine as she speeds up and passes cars in her way. The glare from the oncoming cars light up her face. “You don’t get it, Nolan. He’s here for a reason and it’s not just to protect Izzy. They have something on him. I can feel it.”

“Or, he has something on them. He did say that there’s something bigger than what we know when you were in that hunting cabin. Maybe this is what he meant and he’s trying to keep you out of danger.” Her body relaxes, and she releases a small sigh.

“Maybe he knows how to take these fuckers down. We need a line of communication with him if he doesn’t want to come with us.”

“Good idea. Marks get a burner phone and give it to Ashley when we reach our destination.”

“Copy that,” Marks replies.

“My guys are following now,” Ace says into the earpiece.

“Roger that. ETA five minutes out. Lock and load boys. Focus on the target. Quick and easy.”

Ashley slows down, parks next to the curb and quickly shuts the car off. We wait for the others to follow and silence fills the air. Once everyone is present, we watch the abandoned building for any signs of movement for several minutes.

“My men are posted in their spots. Everything is clear on their end,” Ace relays into our earpieces.

“Roger that, let’s move,” I respond.

Quickly and quietly, we all climb out of our cars.

Rush and Ace pass us and disappear into the shadows.

I grab the fire escape ladder and pull myself up onto the rungs.

Hanging onto the ladder, I reach back down to help Ashley.

She isn’t tall enough to get it on her own.

I lift her with one arm and Harris stays below, helping.

She grabs the rungs and climbs up the ladder and we all quickly follow.

Once she reaches the top and disappears over the ledge, my heart pounds in my chest and my hands become sweaty.

Fuck, what if someone guarded the roof and they just took her?

I climb quicker, with desperation, when she pops her head back into my sight and gives me a nod.

The moonlight casting a soft glow around her face and my breathing evens out.

She’s going to give me a heart attack one day.

I reach the top and lift myself over the ledge, landing quietly on my feet.

I brush my hand across Ashley’s shoulders and she stares into my eyes.

No words are necessary, she knows she worried me.

With a slight nod, she brings my attention to the corner of the building where a dark figure is slumped in the corner.

Ashley holds in a giggle, proud of herself for disarming and taking down a big guy.

I’ve got to stop doubting her, she’s very efficient.

I quietly walk over to the corner with Ashley on my heels as we wait for everyone else to make the climb.

The man is wearing all black like we are, and he’s unconscious, bound, and gagged.

He’s twice her size and has a good six inches on her.

Shocked, I try to speak, but no words form.

Ashley closes my mouth, gives me a wink, and walks back to the guys now on the roof.

I pass them and quietly make my way to the maintenance entrance. I try the handle, but it’s locked. I snap my fingers and Ramirez appears. He picks the lock and backs away. Drawing my gun, everyone else does the same as I count down.

“On the count of three,” I whisper into the mic. Ashton sets up on one side of the door and puts his hand on the latch.