Page 111 of Playing With Danger

“Right now, she needs you. She needs me. You’ve got two choices, brother—give into the shit swirling in your head or set it aside, lock it down, and work with Brady and the guys to help find where that bitch took Sophie. In ten minutes this place is gonna be swarming with the TC team and cops. As soon as we have a location, I’m getting her out. You can have no part in that or you can come with. But, Hayden, I need you in or out. If you’re out, I’ll get?—”

“I’m in,” he growled. “Never in my life did I think I’d want to beat a woman senseless. But goddamn, that’s what I’m struggling with. What kind of man wants to put his hands on a female and beat her?”

I knew his struggle.

“One that’s human. One that loves his friend and she’s in danger and he’s willing do anything it takes to get her safe.”

“Right,” he grumbled miserably.

Brady came back into the room just as I thought of something.

“I need you to call in Liberty Hayes.”

“One step ahead of you.”

Brady knew Sunny was pregnant.

It was arguable who was more badass—former Special Forces soldier Liberty McCoy Hayes or Sunny. Not that I’d actually argue the claim; either of them would give me and any man I knew a run for their money if not best the situation. I’d get in, get my woman, and unleash Liberty.

I pulled my phone out to call Sunny as it was ringing.

“Sunny, I was just?—”

“We’re on our way. Echo will be there before us. Phoenix is on his way to Tucker. He’s going to search the house while Tucker gathers the electronics. Team’s been briefed and they’re on their way. What else do you need from me?”

I closed my eyes and bowed my head.

I should’ve called my team immediately.

“V? You holding it together?”

“Barely,” I gritted out.

“We got your back, brother. Hang tight. We’ll get her back.”

Fuck.

That hold I had was slipping fast.

Panic like I’d never known was creeping in.

“We got this, Valentine. You know we do. This is what we do. We won’t let you down.”

Jesus fuck.

I’d seen this play out hundreds of times.

“We won’t let her down.”

Sophie.

“Copy that.”

“There you are. Stone cold, six-twelve. This is textbook. We know this drill. We live this drill. We run it, train for it, we fucking own this, Valentine. Stay cold. Detach. We’ll be there. Swear it, brother, we’re bringing her home.”

Home.

“We are. See you when you get here.”

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