Page 140 of Storm Warning

“Stop.” Iona pointed at her. “Artemis didn’t exist when you assassinated Garcia. This isn’t your fault. If anything, you gave us ten years of safety because you stopped the Storm leadership in its tracks. It’s taken ten years to rebuild their infrastructure and leadership to this point. That’s what your work accomplished.”

She blinked hard to dispel the tears gathering in her eyes. “Thanks for saying that.”

“I’m speaking the truth.”

“I wish I’d known about the virus. I might have been able to destroy it back then.”

Teagan shook her head. “Would have been a suicide mission. It’s possible you might have caught the virus and died. On top of that, you didn’t have backup.”

Rayne turned toward Riley. “And now you do. I think we have a better chance of succeeding now than you would have ten years ago. You didn’t have Artemis, Echo, and M team on your side. We’ll make all the difference this time. You’ll see.”

She hoped her friend was right. Artemis, Echo, and M team were at the top of their game. The one thing she didn’t want was for these men and women to be seriously injured or lose their lives for something she started.

Riley straightened her shoulders. This was her fight. She needed to finish it.

Iona turned from the window. “Time to go. The four men are leaving.” She gave the signal to move out the moment the men were out of sight.

The women of Artemis descended the jet stairs to the tarmac and joined their Echo partners. Within minutes, the three teamsclimbed into the SUVs, and the caravan began its journey to Izamal with Brent Maddox at the wheel of the lead SUV.

Andre glanced at their boss, amusement in his eyes. “You know, sir, I think you’re enjoying being back in action.”

Brent chuckled. “It’s light years away from sitting behind a desk all day. I don’t tell Rowan, but I miss the action. Don’t get me wrong. Although I wouldn’t trade my family for anything, I miss the adrenaline rush of combat. What I don’t miss is losing friends and colleagues to the enemy.”

“Same, sir.”

“Stay alert. Though I don’t think Garcia and Mendoza know we’re here yet, we can’t be too careful in this province.”

“Copy that, sir.” Andre twisted in his seat to have a better view of the area on the right side of the SUV as they passed.

Riley kept watch out the left side of their vehicle. One thing she’d always disliked about Mexico was the utter darkness in the countryside. Many of the Fortress assignments were in areas that didn’t waste funds on frivolous lighting.

She shuddered. Riley hated darkness. That was the reason she had night lights in every room. Her gaze shifted to Andre for a beat. He never mentioned them when he visited her home. Would needing a light in every room make him see her as weak?

Riley shifted her focus once again to the left side of the vehicle. If Andre had a problem with the lights, he’d have to get over it. Many people were phobic about the dark. She was in good company.

Half a mile from the Storm compound, a heavy fog drifted across the landscape and roads. Nice. Finally, something was going their way. The fog would help conceal their presence and movement inside the compound.

Brent tapped his earpiece. “Good tree cover here for the SUVs. Excellent work selecting this site, Seth.” He stopped in the roadway and backed into the deep shadows of the trees.

As soon as he turned off the engine, Riley and Andre exited and circled to the back of the SUV to grab their bags. After making sure their equipment was operational, the three of them joined the other operatives.

Seth made a call. “Zane, we’re ready for you to join the loop.”

A moment later, he said in their earpieces, “Copy that.”

“Any signs of change in the compound?”

“Not so far.”

“I need to know when that changes.” Seth turned to the others. “You have your assignments. Stick to Plan A until I say otherwise. Questions? This is your last chance to ask them.”

No one spoke.

“Load up and divide into your groups. Do your jobs but watch each other’s backs. Wait for my signal to move out.”

Two minutes later, the operatives were ready. Seth looked at David. “M team, go. Watch your backs.”

With a wave, they merged into the shadows and disappeared from view.