by Dee Davis
“You in?” Nash asked, the communications device in Drake’s ear crackling to life.
“Roger that.” He frowned, surveying the dark room beyond the terrace door he’d just entered. “But there’s no one here. Looks like there hasn’t been for a while. The closet is empty and there aren’t any sheets on the bed. Any chance we’re too late?” As he spoke, he rechecked the room, looking for something that might give him a clue as to Madeline Reynard’s whereabouts.
“Negative,” Nash insisted. “Hannah’s got recent footage. She’s there somewhere. They must have her somewhere else.”
“All right, so what’s my next move?” Drake asked. “In or out?”
“Got to be in,” Nash said, his tone grim. “You’ve got incoming. Three of di Silva’s men just took position on the terrace.”
“Great. No package, no exit strategy, and I’m flying blind.” Drake swallowed a surge of irritation. There were always hiccups in operations. It was part of the gig. The best thing to do was stay alert and roll with the punches.
“Hang on,” Nash said. He and Avery were located just inside the compound’s walls, but they were still too far away to give Drake needed backup. “Jason’s patching us through to Hannah. She’s working to get access to di Silva’s internal security cameras. You guys there?”
“Yeah,” Jason said. “We’re still working on the feed. We’re in, but Hannah’s having a little trouble with the encryption.”
“Hey, it’s only been a couple of seconds,” Hannah’s voice crackled over the line. “Give a girl a chance.”
“Not sure I have that option,” Drake said, moving the drapes slightly so that he could see outside. “I’ve got two of the guards on the move. They’re heading this way.”
“Hold on.” Hannah’s voice was distracted. “I’m almost there.”
Drake pulled out his gun and shifted position. “We’re down to seconds.”
“Got it,” Jason said, as Drake released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “Hannah, can you see it?”
“Yeah,” Hannah confirmed. “And I’ve got infrared as well. There’s no one in the adjoining room.”
Drake sprinted across the room and through the door, pulling it closed behind him, the sound of voices rising as they came in from the terrace, indicating just how close he’d come to being discovered.
“They still coming?” he queried, keeping his voice low.
“No,” Hannah responded. “They’ve gone back outside. You’re clear from that direction.”
“What about the hallway?” Avery asked, his voice breaking up a little.
“I’m showing no activity in the immediate area,” Hannah responded. “But there are people all over the house. Maybe ten or eleven. And the ones I can see on the security cameras are armed.”
“Nothing like being outgunned,” Drake said, his eyes on the doors opening off the hallway to the right and left. “What about the rooms up ahead?”
“They’re not on the security cameras. But the infrared shows them as empty,” Hannah replied.
“What about Madeline Reynard? Any sign of her?”
“Let me check,” Hannah said. There was a moment of silence as they waited for her to cycle through the various security cameras. “I’ve got her. A bedroom upstairs. She’s alone in the room, but I think she’s got guards. Outside in the hallway. I can’t actually see them; the security camera’s angle is wrong. But I’ve got two hot spots on the infrared.”
“So how do I get there from here?” Drake asked.
“Front stairs are out of the question,” Jason said. “You’ve got two hostiles posted sentry with guns.”
“Di Silva clearly isn’t taking any chances,” Tyler interjected. “You want me to move in and help out?” She and Jason were situated just outside the back of the compound.
“Not yet,” Avery replied. “Hold position for the time being. You need to make sure there are no surprises for you and Jason. Nash and I will move to cover Drake.”
“There’s a small stand of mangos, surrounded by bushes, about thirty yards to your southeast,” Hannah said. “The security cameras face out, so I can only see the vegetation, but it should be just under the bedroom window. And the bushes should give you enough cover to hold your position.”
“Copy that,” Nash said. “We’re on our way.”
“Drake,” Hannah continued, “there’s a second staircase just east of your position. And for now at least the coast is clear.”
“What about the security cameras?”
“I’m rigging a looped feed,” Jason said. “Give me a second and you should be good to go.”
“It’s going to be the second left,” Hannah added. “Approximately fifteen feet down the hallway.”
“Roger that,” Drake said, cracking the door for visual confirmation that the hall was indeed empty.
“All right,” Jason’s voice crackled against the static. “I’ve got it rigged to loop the last five seconds of security feed. But I can’t do it for too long or they’ll figure out someone’s in the system. You’ve got to move fast.”
“No problem,” Drake said as he swung out into the hallway, leading with his gun. The space was quiet, and he moved quickly, keeping tight to the wall. “I’ve got the turn in sight.”
“Good,” Hannah said. “The staircase is set beyond a doorway that should be immediately to your right after you make the turn. Still nothing to stand in your way.”
Drake rounded the corner, passing through the doorway that led to the back stairs. They were narrow and uncarpeted, and Drake slowed his progress slightly to avoid making any noise. “What next?”
“Go right. And hold at the corner. The room will be immediately on your left, but as I said, there are two guards.”
“Not to worry,” Avery broke in. “Nash and I are in place. We just need some kind of distraction.”
“You could rig an explosion,” Tyler said. “Use the powder from a grenade.”
“Hell, no need to rig it,” Nash said. “We’ll just throw the damn thing.”
“And alert di Silva’s entire security force,” Drake responded. “Not a good idea. I can handle it myself with a hell of a lot less fuss.”
“All right,” Avery agreed. “But we’re here. So don’t hesitate to call for backup.”
“No worries.” Drake smiled. “Self-sacrificing heroics aren’t my thing.”
“We’ll debate that another time,” Nash said. “For now just be careful.”
“Copy that.” Drake stopped at the top of the landing long enough to make sure the way was clear, and then held at the corner, inching out to verify the positions of the two guards.
He checked the silencer on his gun and then, on an internal count of three, swung out into the hallway, firing twice. He dove to the ground and rolled to his knees, gun raised for a second volley. But there was no need. Di Silva’s guards were dead.
“I’ve got two down. But nothing to indicate anyone’s aware of the fact,” Drake said as he double-checked the bodies for signs of life. “Hannah, you got anything?”
“Everything is clear for the moment,” she said. “But I don’t know how long that’s going to last. Someone is trying to block our access. Which means they know we’re in. Jason, can you stop them?”
“I’m doing everything I can, but, Drake, you need to move quickly. I’m not sure how long I can hold on to this link.”
“All right,” Drake responded. “I’m going in now. Keep your eyes on that hallway.” As he opened the door, Madeline Reynard jumped, spinning around from her position at the window, a flash of fear quickly masked as she squared her shoulders, her gaze locking with his.
“Who the hell are you?” She stared at him defiantly, and despite himself, Drake was impressed.
Her photograph hadn’t done her justice. Except for a purpling bruise on her left cheek, her skin was practically flawless. Milky white and soft. The kind a man wanted to taste and ultimately bury himself in. Her hai
r was almost black, with hints of russet and brown, the curls so tightly wound they seemed to have a life of their own.
He’d expected a pampered princess, but Madeline looked more like the girl next door. The one who could take on any guy and win. Despite her size, there was an air of bravado, a sense that she’d be up to any task, no matter the difficulty. And yet beneath all of that there was a hint of fragility—a paradox that Drake understood only too well. Strength came from pain. It was a lesson he’d learned a long time ago. And he had the feeling that Madeline Reynard was familiar with the primer.
“I asked who you are,” she repeated, hands on hips, eyes flashing. Her sweats and camisole hugged her curves, illuminating her admittedly spectacular body.
“My name is Drake Flynn,” he said, fighting against a smile. Maybe this operation wasn’t going to be so bad after all. “And I’m here to rescue you.”
CHAPTER 4
You scared the life out of me,” she said, eyes still narrowed in anger.
“You and the two guys outside the door,” Drake said, turning to check the hall again.
“You killed them?” she asked, moving to stand beside him, a frown creasing her forehead.
“Didn’t have a choice.”
“Who sent you?” There was a note of suspicion, as she closed and opened one hand, the gesture giving Drake the distinct impression she was wishing for a gun.
“Your friend Will Richardson.”
“Will is dead,” she said, a shudder rippling through her.
“I know.” He nodded. “But not before he got word to the people that matter. I’m here to get you out.”
“You and what army?” she asked, a bitter laugh coloring her words. “You look capable enough, but di Silva’s men are everywhere.”
“Yeah, well, at least there are two less to deal with.” He shrugged, moving to the center of the room. “Hannah,” he spoke into the com mic, “tell me you’ve got a way for us to get out of here.”
“You’ve got friends?” Madeline asked, moving to the door to check the hallway.
“Yeah.” He nodded, tapping his earpiece. “A small army of them.”
“Drake, we’ve got problems here,” Hannah said, pulling his attention from the woman in the doorway. “We’ve lost access to the security feed. Which means no visual.”
“And worse, they’ll have been alerted that someone’s on site,” Jason’s voice filled his ear. “Which means they’ll be heading your way. Your best bet is to go out the window.”
“No can do.” Drake shook his head. “The window is barred. We’ll need an alternative.”
“And we’ll need it fast,” Madeline called over her shoulder. “Someone’s coming.”
“Did you hear that?” Drake asked.
“Affirmative,” Hannah responded. “But everyone’s still on the first floor. I’ve got them on infrared. So you’ve got a little time.”
“So where do we go?” Drake barked into the mic, his fingers tightening on his gun.
“There’s a window in the room two doors to your left,” Hannah said. “I saw it when we had the live feed. It’s unobstructed. According to the blueprint, the first floor juts out just below it. So you should be able to drop to the roof and from there make your way to Nash and Avery’s position in the bushes.”
“Roger that,” he said, turning back to Madeline. “You’re going to need shoes.”
She nodded and bent to retrieve a pair of boots from under her bed, the sturdy kind he wouldn’t have expected her to own, let alone have at the ready. Clearly his initial impression of Ms. Reynard had been flawed.
She pulled on the boots and a shirt, then grabbed a waterproof courier bag. “I’m ready.”
“You’re not bringing the bag. It’ll just get in the way,” he said, eyeing the little carryall.
“It goes. It’s all I’ve got,” she said, her chin jutting out in defiance.
“It’s just going to cause problems.”
“Please.” She held his gaze, her eyes flickering with something he couldn’t quite put a name to, but recognized just the same.
“Fine,” he said, angry at himself for giving in so easily. “Take it.”
“Thank you.” She nodded as they turned toward the doorway.
“We still clear?” Drake queried into the mic.
“Roger that,” Hannah affirmed, “but they’re on the stairs, so you’d better move now.”
“You know how to use a gun?” he asked Madeline, reaching into his jacket pocket for a second handgun.
“Point and shoot,” she said, taking the weapon. “It can’t be that hard.”
“Look, I can use your help, but I don’t need any more problems.”
She took the gun, released the safety, and checked the ammo, her movements clearly not a novice’s.
“I’d say you’ve had a little practice,” Drake observed, his eyes narrowing in speculation.
“In the world I come from,” Madeline said, shrugging, “it’s a necessity.”
He studied her for a moment longer, then moved to peer out the door. “On my signal, we’re going to head to the right, down two doors.”
“Di Silva’s study.” She nodded.
“And from there we’ll proceed through the window, out onto the roof.”
She nodded, tensing as he pushed the door open.
“We’re clear,” he said. “Go.”
Madeline shot out the door and sped down the hallway just as two men emerged from the stairway. Drake sprinted forward, shooting behind him, managing to drop one of di Silva’s henchmen before slamming shut the door to the study.
“They’re right behind us,” Drake said, as Madeline pulled back the heavy drapes to reveal a set of narrow French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony. “Hannah, how close are they?”
“You nailed one of them, but his buddy is still on the move. ETA less than a minute. And there are more coming up the stairs.”
“Got it.” He nodded once as he pulled the doors open, his attention shifting to Madeline. “We’ll climb over the balcony and drop down to the roof below. You think you can handle that?”
“No problem,” she said, already straddling the railing. With surprising grace, she dropped onto the roof. Drake followed suit just as the study door burst open.
“We’re about to have company,” he said as they scrambled across the roof. Seconds later gunfire erupted from the open French doors above them, two men silhouetted in the light from the study.
In front of him a terracotta tile exploded from the impact of a bullet. Drake pulled Madeline down behind the cover of a chimney stack. One of the men had dropped onto the rooftop and was making his way toward their position, the other continuing to fire from the balcony. Below them, Drake could see a second group of men rounding the far corner of the house.
The edge of the roofline was just below them—maybe ten feet, but the angle of the roof was sharp here, the slant making their descent more difficult.
“All right,” he said, popping up to slow the guard’s pursuit with a shot that sent the man ducking for cover. “When I give the signal I want you to head down. Keep moving and when you get to the edge, drop to the ground. Jump if you have to. Then head for the mango trees over there. My team will be waiting.”
“What about you?” she whispered.
“I’ll cover you. Whatever happens, don’t stop. Just keep going. Got it? I’ll follow as soon as you’re off the roof.” He fired again. “Now go.”
She paused for a moment, searching his face, then started down the roof as he continued to hold off di Silva’s men with gunfire. There were three of them now. Two on the roof, and one positioned on the balcony.
What he wouldn’t give for a rifle or machine gun. Popping up from behind the chimney, he fired at the man closest to their position. The man gasped and grabbed his chest. The second gunman fired in return, the bullet whizzing past Drake’s ear as he ducked back behind the safety of the chimney blocks.
Bel
ow him, Madeline had reached the edge of the roof. As she dropped over the edge out of sight, he fired twice in the direction of the balcony and scrambled down the sloping roof, keeping low to avoid the bullets coming from behind.
As he neared the edge, he turned to fire again, and then flipped over the edge and dropped to the ground. To his left a group of guards were closing the distance, but still out of range. A shot splintered past him, coming from above, one of the men on the roof reaching the edge.
Drake spun around, dropping to his knee to fire, but before he could align the shot, the man grabbed his shoulder, and fell back. Madeline emerged from the shadows, gun in hand. “I wasn’t sure your friends could make the shot from the trees.”
“I told you to keep moving.”
“And I decided you might need my help.” Her stance was defiant. “Look, you’re my only ticket out of here. So it’s in my best interest to keep you alive.”
“And it’s my mission to keep you alive. So move. Now.”
They sprinted toward the trees, the men on the ground close enough now to shoot. Reaching into his pack, Drake produced a hand grenade. Pulling the cap with his teeth, he tossed it toward the group of men, the resulting explosion sending two of them flying through the air.
Score one for the good guys.
“We’re almost there,” he said into his mic.
“Nice move with the grenade,” Avery said, as they ducked into the cover of the mango trees. “Now we’ve just got to figure out how to make an exit.”
“I’m guessing the way we got in is out of the question?” Drake asked, as Nash fired on the advancing group of guards.
“They’ve got the exits covered,” Avery said. “Hannah says they’ve got people on both the front and side gates. We’d never get past them.”
“So we’re trapped.”
“I might know a way,” Madeline said as she dropped down beside Drake.
“Welcome to the party, Ms. Reynard.” Avery’s smile was grim.
“Madeline,” she corrected. “I think we’re well past formality.”
