Page 137 of The Best of Us

“There must be more of them there. Good work,” I said as the unrelenting chills continued to crash down over me.

Hudson immediately U-turned to take us in a new direction and hit the gas.

“I just texted Alessandro the layout. It's the best I can do. We don’t have time to get real-time aerial footage, and their security cameras were killed at the same time the power went out at Jamie’s hotel, so you’re going in blind,” Izzy shared. “But it should be empty of civilians tonight. Probably a few night-shift security guards, but they may have already been taken out by whoever has Colin.”

I directed Enzo to relay the change in plans to the two SEALs Hudson had instructed to meet us as our backup. Since they’d already been in Brooklyn, they’d rolled up behind us a few minutes ago to trail us.

“Stay safe. Love you. All of you,” Izzy said in a shaky voice. “I’d stay on the line, but I don’t want to distract you.”

“Love you, Bella,” Hudson murmured just before he killed the call in preparation for the extraction.

“Comms?” I looked back at Enzo.

He distributed our wireless communication devices, and I placed mine in my ear.

“It’s a maze of warehouses, narrow corridors, and shipping containers. They won’t expect us, but if they’re smart, they’ll be prepared for us,” Alessandro said, scanning the map. “Looks like a service tunnel leads to an abandoned dry dock. They could be planning to leave with him and Lennon from there. Or they’re hiding him in one of the shipping containers. Exfil’ing by boat. There are a lot of options.”

Too many fucking options.

“We’ll follow the bodies,” Hudson remarked, drawing my attention forward. He pointed to the security gate, already broken from its hinges and run over. “Blood on the windows inside the security checkpoint booth.”

“No mercy,” I hissed as Hudson killed our headlights. It was nighttime, but a few minutes too early to switch to our night vision.

Hudson drove over the downed gate, my focus razor-sharp. I’d been to Hell before and made it out alive, and we’d do it again tonight.

I’m coming for you, Colin. We’re coming.

I took another deep breath and then did what I’d never done in the middle of an op, something Bianca had begged me to do all those years ago. I mentally recited one of the prayers from the note in my wallet. That note had brought me to Colin once, and I needed it to happen again tonight. I needed a miracle.

A round ripped through the SUV’s front end, shattering one of the headlights.

So much for prayers.

“They know we’re here,” I said as gunfire opened up from above. “Rooftop sniper, driver’s side.”

Hudson veered toward the nearest warehouse, our second vehicle mirroring us.

We exited on the right side, using the SUVs and building for cover as Enzo quickly handed comms devices to our other team, Foxtrot.

“I’ll handle the rooftop sniper,” Hudson said, already assessing the route. “I’m going for that crane over there. Cover me.”

I gave him a quick nod, then pulled a smoke grenade, lobbing it in his path. The moment the smoke billowed, we drew fire, giving him the window he needed to move through unseen.

Rounds popped off around us as we engaged, laying down fire.

A few seconds later, Hudson’s voice crackled over the comms. “This is Alpha Two. I’m in position. Sniper down.”

“Roger that.” I tapped Enzo’s shoulder, signaling for him to move out.

Our two teams moved into formation and flowed through the open grounds, precision shots taking out the hostiles that came at us from every angle.

“This is Alpha Two. I’m changing positions and moving to higher ground for a better vantage point.”

“Roger,” I acknowledged.

A gunman on the catwalk lifted an RPG launcher. Autopilot kicked in.

“Take cover!” I warned, lining up my shot.

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