Page 5 of Betting Blind

“What else would the head of security be good for if not protecting the queen?” He smiles and throws me a wink. Cheeky Bastard.

Tobias Emerson. My protector. My soundboard to bounce anything off of. My face to the public. My oldest ‘found’ family. His job is to keep me safe while putting on a front that he runs this operation and he is the big boss, but really, he answers to me.

Everyone eventually answers to me.

Chapter 3

Silas

The sound of an ammo cartridge clicking into place fills the otherwise silent room. It’s so quiet in here that I can hear the footsteps of my team on the floor above me. Static crackles in my ear before a robotic voice says, “Movement on the sixth floor. Heat signatures read at least three hostiles. Proceed with caution.”

We knew that there were at least seven targets in this warehouse, and we have already dispatched three of them. “Copy.” My teeth clench as I shift my rifle case to my other shoulder and lift my gun and flashlight so they are right in front of my face. “I’m heading to the next flight of stairs. I need to get to the roof to set up the sniper nest.”

“We’ve cleared the fourth floor and are heading to the back of the building. You’re on your own, Si,” Randy’s voice filters through the comm device as I take the steps two at a time. “Drop the three on the sixth floor, take the next set of stairs, and that should give you a clear path up to the roof.”

“Don’t screw this up, Kennedy,” Landon’s voice comes through right after Randy’s. I roll my eyes and position myself right around the corner with my back against the wall. Sunlightfilters through a gaping hole in the side of the building, letting in enough light that I no longer need the flashlight to get a decent visual of my surroundings.

The room is in shambles, like it has survived a major earthquake, and there is rubble and structural debris everywhere. Clusters of rebar are jutting up out of the holes dotting the walls. There are broken chairs and office tables scattered throughout and everything has a thick layer of dust. Muffled shuffling is coming from the other side of one of the overturned desks.

“Got you, fuckers,” I whisper and raise the barrel of my gun, lining up the sight to just above the edge of the desk. Using the toe of my boot, I nudge a broken computer screen to make enough noise to be heard. The shuffling stops and a few seconds later two dark figures jump up and rain bullets down around me. Of course, I was expecting them to do that but fuck if it didn’t make my heart rate skyrocket. I fire off two shots and then crouch down to avoid getting hit. I do not feel like being Swiss cheese today.

The two hostiles are yelling back and forth at each other in a language I can’t make out, probably arguing about whether or not they hit me. Spoiler alert, they didn’t. I take advantage of their distraction and ease very slowly into the room, still crouching low. They can’t see me from where they are kneeling, but I also can’t see them very well from this vantage point. I’m basically going in blind. There are a few clicking noises that alert me they are reloading.

Before I give myself time to think of a more rational plan, I jump up and fire off several more rounds in their direction. They don’t see it coming and have no time to prepare beforemy bullets embed themselves in their skulls. Their bodies hit the ground with two very distinct thumps.

“Tick. Tock. Kennedy.” Landon’s voice is really starting to become my least favorite sound today.

“I’m on the sixth floor. There were only two in here. Where’s the third?” I flex my jaw and twist my head from left to right, trying to get my neck to crack. The muscles protest slightly before I feel that satisfying pop.

“There are no heat signatures between you and the roof. Get up there and set up now,” Randy says, his voice strained like he’s clenching his teeth.

“Two bogeys inbound. I repeat two bogeys inbound. It’s now or never boys. The convoy is leaving. You have less than seven minutes.” The robotic voice crackles across the comm device in my ear.

I feel far too overstimulated at this point. My pulse is hammering in my jugular, it hurts to inhale each breath, and I can distinctly feel a rock wedged under my heel in my left boot. “I’m going. I’m going,” I mutter and shift my rifle case to my other shoulder. There is a slight twinge in my stomach as I make my way through the rubble. There had been three heat signatures reading but I only see two bodies on the floor in front of me. I try to push the thoughts aside as I make my way up the final set of stairs and out onto the roof.

More debris and rebar are scattered along the flat expanse of the concrete roof, and I have to place my feet carefully, so I don’t fall right through any of the holes along my path to the ledge overlooking the street below. The sun is bright and hot on my back as I place my pack and rifle on the ground by my feet. “I’m setting up my nest now. I’ll be in position in less than 2 minutes.”

“Those jets are coming in hot, Silas. You only have one shot at the target before they blow this place sky-high,” Randy says tightly and then gasps. Was that a… moan?

“You okay, Randy?” Landon chuckles quietly while Randy’s coughing fills my headset.

“Just get it done,” he snaps, and I roll my eyes. What is even happening right now?

I get down on my stomach and move my legs into my preferred position while shifting the sniper rifle so it’s sitting just over the edge of the low-standing brick wall. Chunks of red brick and mortar fall away as I shift slightly to cover myself with my camouflage. I rest my right eye against the scope and focus on the scene below.

There are four armored beige military vehicles all idling in front of the building’s glass doors. Two in front and two behind. There are at least twelve men in dark green military uniforms milling about, making sure that the area is secure. They stop suddenly and then they all come to attention as the glass doors open and out walks three more men in green followed by a figure covered head to toe in black garments. All you can make out are the piercing green eyes and the brown skin around them.

“I have eyes on the target. I repeat, I have eyes on the target.” My voice is little more than a whisper, but I know they can hear me. I focus on my breathing to steady myself.

“Confirmed. You are clear to take the shot and then get out of there. You have less than five minutes,” the robotic voice comes across the comm line.

“Copy.” I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with air, and then hold it for six seconds before releasing it out of my mouth. I repeat this process three more times until my heartrate is a slow, steady rhythm and my hands are no longer shaking. My finger hovers over the trigger as I watch the men below move closer to the vehicles. Just a few more feet and then I’ll have the perfect angle to put a bullet in this asshole’s forehead.

Just as I’m about to pull the trigger, Randy’s voice fills my head. His deep groan is enough to distract me, and I pull the trigger and miss entirely. I close my eyes and clench my jaw. “Fuck.” The men disappear into the vehicles and then a cloud of brown dirt stirs up as they speed away. I want to be so angry right now but it’s hard to focus because my dick is now painfully hard thanks to Randy’s erotic moaning.

The words ‘GAME OVER!’ flash across the dual monitors of my computer. “Dammit, Randy!” Landon yells and I can hear slamming. He’s pissed because we’ve done this level at least six times now and we cannot get it together enough to beat it. “You couldn’t keep it in your pants for ten minutes?! We were so close!”

Randy chuckles and inhales sharply. “Tell that to Holly. She’s the one with her pretty lips around my cock.” I can faintly make out a feminine giggle through my earpiece.

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