Page 53

Chapter 53

Constantine

“TOC, this is Alpha One. We’re in position,” Carter transmitted over comms after we successfully scaled the seventy-foot rock wall using our grappling hooks and ascenders.

“This is Delta One, that’s a good copy. Delta advancing now. Foxtrot, you’re up,” Sebastian responded, directing Easton to prepare the helo for imminent action. “How are we, TOC?”

“Looking good from my vantage point,” Gwen replied. “Your countdown will begin on Delta One’s mark.”

Gwen and my sister, our eyes in the sky and inside the house, had already confirmed the location of our three hostages. Once we infiltrated the mainland house, they would guide us to Lennon and the others.

Echo Team, along with Juliette and our son, were anchored westward, away from any possible enemy fire but close enough for extraction when my team retrieved the hostages.

Our best escape route was south along the Amalfi Coast. Once the countdown started, the plan was to be in and out in under ten minutes, long before Italian Intelligence caught wind. Gwen had already hacked AISE’s systems and was ready to drop a bug to buy us those ten minutes. We owed her a lot for this.

First things first: get Lennon and everyone out alive.

After leaving Juliette and Colin on the boat, the only thing keeping my pulse steady was the M240B machine gun mounted on the stern, with Wyatt manning it. Not to mention the two other Tier One operators Sebastian had provided, armed with M4s and a grenade launcher for protection.

Carter signaled me. Time to eliminate the two cliffside sentries so the rest of Alpha Team could safely scale up behind us under our cover.

Gwen’s loop of the security feed provided our invisibility cloak, but that would be moot once Easton flew overhead, announcing our presence. The gunners in the helo would neutralize the snipers in the towers so Carter and Hudson could take their vacated spots.

“Now,” Carter mouthed, within arm’s reach.

We concealed our climbing gear, and I kept my rifle slung on my back, drawing my Karambit. The small, curved knife resembling a claw was solid and comforting in my grip. I stayed at Carter’s nine o’clock as we approached the hostiles from behind, creeping up to quietly slit their throats.

After dragging them into the bushes to maintain our cover, I swapped my Karambit for my Glock 19X, a crossover pistol that handled water better than a regular Glock.

Carter informed the teams we were in position, and Sebastian ordered Easton to fly in. “Start the countdown,” he told Gwen just before gunfire erupted on his cue from all directions.

“Alpha Team, you’re a go,” I transmitted once the helo gunners successfully took out the watchtowers. “We have your six.”

I took a knee beside Carter, using the bushes for cover as we fired off rounds at the guards rushing the property. Above, Easton banked hard and disappeared, diverting enemy focus.

“Delta has breached. We’re inside,” Emilia reported over comms. “Move to Phase Two.”

Hudson and my brothers reached our position up top.

Time to split up.

“This is TOC,” Izzy cut in. “Alpha Team, you have at least five hostiles advancing toward you. Target packages are still in the center of the house, but there’s a flurry of movement inside.”

“This is Alpha Two, roger,” I confirmed. “We’ll cover you.” I glanced at Hudson and Carter as Enzo and Alessandro flanked me. I gave Hudson a slight nod, silently telling him to be safe and not get himself killed, and then he took off with Carter.

“This is Foxtrot One, doing a quick flyover to help clear that path to the watchtowers for you,” Easton said as the helicopter blades chopped the air, announcing his return.

The guards on the ground redirected their focus to the helo, giving me an opening. I sniped the closest tango who’d made himself known, putting him down before he could raise his rifle, then took out two more with suppressed headshots before Easton finished off the last two.

“Alpha Team, you’re a go. Move in,” Carter signaled once he and Hudson were in position.

Rifles in hand, my brothers surrounding me, we rushed the property, closing the distance to the main house where Delta Team was already inside.

“This is Foxtrot One, looks like they called for backup,” Easton alerted as we neared the back terrace. “Second wave inbound. Two vehicles approaching fast. We’ll take them out,” he assured us.

“TOC, we’re going in. I need your eyes,” I requested.

Alessandro tossed in a flashbang before we breached the first hallway, clearing rooms according to Gwen’s instructions.

Just as I moved down the next hall, a smoke grenade landed at our feet. Thick, acrid smoke swallowed everything in sight, including my eyeline to my brothers.

Instinct kicked in, and I yanked up the bandana from around my neck, covering my nose and mouth and keeping low as I scanned for movement.

“Alpha Two,” Izzy came through my earpiece a moment later, her voice sharp with urgency. “Tango immediately coming from your right with a knife. You see him?”

My body reacted before my mind caught up. I let my rifle hang on its sling as he lunged for me. Catching his wrist mid-strike, I twisted— snap —then reversed the blade into his throat, cutting deep. The gurgling choke confirmed my hit.

I retrieved my knife, stepping over the body as I called out, “Alpha Three. Four. Where are you?”

“We’re good. Clearing more rooms,” Alessandro responded, forgetting his call sign, but from the sounds of the breathy grunts, he was in the middle of CQB.

“Alpha Two, we’ve got a problem,” Gwen interjected. “Daniel and Lennon just left the house. They broke away in the chaos, but it looks like he’s taking her toward the cliffs.”

I heard my son cursing in the background.

“On it.” I relayed to Delta and Alpha Teams I was moving back out to pursue.

Delta confirmed they were close to neutralizing the mafiosi. And Sebastian didn’t need to explain what he meant by neutralizing them. Knowing they’d never be a threat again was a small comfort in the chaos.

Rushing outside, I was momentarily caught off guard by the afternoon sunlight, too bright after that smoke-filled corridor. My brain faltered for a second, recalibrating.

“Alpha Two, get down!” Hudson shouted over comms.

I dove behind a nearby statue just as rounds slammed into the plaster, sending debris flying.

“Got him. He’s down,” Hudson confirmed. “You’re clear. For now .”

“Where’s our target package?” I asked, knowing Hudson would recognize I was talking to him. “Still heading for the cliffs?”

“Yeah. He’s got a strong grip on her. I can’t get a clean shot without risking her, too,” he answered. Not what I wanted Colin to overhear.

“This is Alpha One. We’ve got you covered. Go,” Carter said before two enemies up ahead were laid out with neat and accurate headshots.

I caught sight of Lennon struggling in Daniel’s grasp and tossed one of my own smoke grenades to cut visibility from the sun as I sprang forward.

I couldn’t believe I was back to square one, chasing this motherfucker down. This time on the other side of the world from that abandoned factory.

Emerging through the cloud of smoke, I realized I was on Daniel’s ass. “Stop!”

Daniel was standing at the edge of the cliff, his grip on Lennon iron-tight with one hand, a gun pressed to her ribs in the other. I could take the shot, but there was a chance he could also get off a round. Possibly fall off the ledge, taking her with him.

“Don’t come any closer,” Daniel warned, turning just enough to force Lennon with him. “I’ll jump. And I’ll take her with me.”

I shifted my rifle to my back and raised my hands. “Come on, kid. Just put the gun down and step away from the cliff.”

My heart pounded—not from fear, but from the knowledge Colin was watching this unfold.

Gunfire waned behind me. That was good. We were winning. But time was running out before Italian Intelligence showed up to put an end to this. I had to speed this up.

“Your sister played you, Daniel. She used you. You don’t have to do this.”

Lennon’s mouth and hands were still taped, but he’d clearly managed to free his own, probably swiping a guard’s weapon on his way out with her.

Her wide, panicked eyes locked on to mine in a silent plea.

I’m trying. I’m trying.

“I—I just wanted to make my dad proud, but I’m a screwup. I couldn’t do what I was told. Noooo, I had to go and try and mug that girl for some extra cash . . . bringing you into my life.” Daniel’s face tensed up with regret. “Aurora told me if I helped her, then Dad would truly accept me as his son, but I fucked that up, didn’t I?” His gun hand trembled.

“Aurora lied to you, but it’s not too late. Your father knows the truth. You still have time to make things right. Just put down the gun and step forward.” I inched closer as loose rocks slipped from the cliffside beneath his shoes. Too damn close to that ledge.

“I don’t know,” he whispered, blinking back tears.

“It’s not too late. We know this wasn’t your idea.” I extended my hand, palm up. He only needed to take five steps. “Please.”

Daniel stared at my hand, tears tracking down his face. “Oh-okay. I—I promise I never wanted this, and I love Lennon. I know I shouldn’t, but I’ve only ever tried to watch out for her, and?—”

His foot slipped.

I lunged, but it was too late.

Daniel lost his balance, dragging Lennon over with him, just out of my reach.

“I’m going in after them,” I said without hesitation, ripping off my helmet as I rushed to the edge.

My breath caught as I surveyed the area below. By some miracle, they hadn’t hit the rocks.

“She’s alive!” My words were meant for Colin to hear.

I yanked off my rifle and tossed my comm, then dove in, aiming for the open water to avoid the jagged inland rocks.

The seventy-foot drop sent my stomach lurching before the impact nearly knocked the wind out of me. The water swallowed me whole.

Surfacing, I scanned the area. Daniel and Lennon were both swimming, but Lennon was struggling against the current, unable to swim with her hands bound. I went after her first, swimming hard and closing the gap before she slipped under. Hooking my arm beneath hers, I flipped her onto her back to keep her head above water.

“Hold on.”

We were too far down to hear gunshots, so I had no idea if the fight above continued. My current focus was getting her the hell out of the water.

Reaching the rock bed, I hauled her up and ripped the tape from her mouth. “You okay?”

She nodded frantically.

“Stay here,” I ordered, already scanning for Daniel again. He was gone.

The waters were a clear blue with the midday sun slicing through. Visibility was decent. Temperature in the low 60s. Cold but survivable.

If I find him in time. I inhaled deeply and dove. First pass—nothing. I surfaced, caught my breath, and went under again. This time, I spotted movement. Daniel’s leg was tangled in debris. He was still fighting but fading fast. Even if he was an asshole, I wasn’t about to let this kid drown on my watch.

I swam toward him and yanked the knife from my belt, slicing it through the fishing net wound in vines that held him down.

We broke the surface a second later.

My lungs burned. My limbs felt like lead. But I gritted my teeth and pulled him over to the rocks. Somehow, with my last ounce of strength, I got him up onto the ledge beside Lennon.

She was shaking—wet, cold, and in shock.

Daniel coughed, water spilling from his lips as I climbed up with them.

I used my knife to cut Lennon’s bindings. “Get under that ledge,” I directed, pointing to a cove in the rocks. “There might still be gunfire overhead.” I turned to check on Daniel just as?—

Crack. The force slammed into my back, the kinetic energy transferring through my vest like a hammer against my spine and ribs.

I lost my breath. My balance. Dropped to my knees.

Lennon’s face twisted in terror. She lunged for me. Slipped on the wet rock as my world tilted.

The last thing I saw was her hand reaching for mine as I slipped off the ledge.