Page 122 of The Deals We Make

“Let’s go.”

Halo looks at the location. “Gimme five minutes to figure out where the fuck this is and how we approach it. Can you zoom in on the aerial view?”

I do as he asks.

Spark nods. “Bates and I will work with him.”

My heart beats normally for the first time in two hours.

Switch squeezes my shoulder. “We’ll have her back with you in under an hour.”

I look to King. “Her message says four people. But, if she’s inside a building, there could be more situated outside.”

King nods. “Yeah. But I still like our odds.”

“Fuck this shit. I’m going,” I say.

Niro steps in front of the door. “Far be it from me to stop a man rushing out of here like the world is on fire. But your woman is keeping her head. You should follow her example.”

Switch comes to stand next to me. “She’s buying us time. She’s a smart woman. You’re usually the first to encourage caution until we have a plan. Now, it’s time for you to trust your brothers to plan it well.”

I look over at the military men. Halo and Spark are planning the route and assault. They’re looking at the satellite image around the farm and its outbuildings.

King nods as they say something, and then Halo laughs.

I know it’s the way.

Humor in everything, even life or death situations.

And I breathe.

“Agreed?” King says to Halo and Spark.

They both nod.

Spark steps forward to speak. “Two teams. Team A moves from the front. It’s a tricky approach as there isn’t a lot of cover. So, Team B will approach first from the rear. Hopefully, if they are spotted while getting into position, it will cause enough of a distraction that Team A can move in quickly. Team A consists of King, Halo, Bates, Switch, and Vex. Team B is Clutch, me, Niro, Saint, and Cat. Halo and I will coordinate timing with each other.”

“Spark shouldn’t be going in,” I say.

The big man looks hurt. “Why the fuck not?”

“Do I need to remind you that you have a new baby at home and a wife who needs you?”

Spark places both hands on my shoulders and squeezes tight. “I appreciate the thought, brother, but this is the life I choose. Brotherhood and family. I can’t live my life staying behind. And eventually, we’ll almost all have kids. We stop being Iron Outlaws because there are kids, then we’ll lose our sense of self. And I can’t do that. Want my kid to be proud of who I am. Not shamed because I stayed behind when a brother was in trouble.”

I nod, even though the lump in my throat just got a whole lot bigger.

“Let’s go,” Niro says.

We hustle to our bikes.

“You okay to do this?” I ask Switch.

He knows what I’m asking. He’s struggled with control of his weapon because of his injuries.

He simply grins. “You gonna try and make me stay home too, Dad?”

“Fine. But take care of yourself. Was going to ask you and Sophia over to dinner to be the first to congratulate Calista on becoming an old lady. You better be fucking alive to make it.”