Page 52 of Braxton

“Her skin began to shrink.” He leaned closer, his face twisting in anger and pain. “Do you have any idea what it’s like holding your daughter while her skin steams like cooked rice?”

Shock pummeled through Quinn as she absorbed his words.

Camille Mercier was Cross’ daughter?

Oh, hell.

Chapter Twenty-One

The wind blew through the trees at the rear of the manor house’s property and the scent of ozone filled the air. Braxton looked up at the sky and figured the storm would be arriving soon. It wasn’t the only thing coming, either. A steady stream of cars had paraded up the long driveway and parked outside the front door. He counted ten dinner guests, just like on the list Quinn had sent.

While Brax, Gray, Inda, Ryland and Saint hovered in the woods, watching closely, Zane flew his drone over the enormous house. Equipped with a thermal imaging camera, the others waited while Zane created a heat map of the area.

“The guests are all in a large room on the first floor, northwest corner, probably a dining room.” He whistled under his breath. “You aren’t going to believe this, but I’m seeing…”

His voice trailed off and Brax straightened up. “What?”

“What looks like a lot of tunnels beneath the house. It’s like a fucking labyrinth under there.”

“How big are we talking?” Saint asked.

“Maybe a couple of football fields big? I’m seeing lots of small heat signatures, which are probably rats or mice, but some human ones, too.”

What if Quinn’s cover had been blown and Cross locked her up in the labyrinth? Remembering how Grendel had tortured Saint, Brax felt his gut twist.

“Banshee, find me an entrance point. I’m going down there,” Brax announced. He had to make sure she was okay. Right now, Quinn was the only thing that mattered.

“Not alone.” Inda reached for her Glock.

“I’m going,” Saint said. “And if I find Grendel, let me do the honors of putting a bullet in his head.”

“Roger that,” Brax said. “Banshee, stay here and be our eyes in the sky. Bruja and Demon, position yourselves near the dining room with the guests and be ready to intervene.”

Brax’s attention slid to Ryland, who stood ramrod straight, hand on his holstered pistol. “I’m going in there and finding Cross,” he stated, voice hard and unyielding.

He knew there was nothing he could say to deter Ryland, so Brax nodded his assent. They had no idea what exactly Cross was planning, but they’d figure it out. Just like they always did. But Brax knew this wasn’t just another op. Quinn being involved and possibly in trouble made the stakes higher than ever.

“Watch your backs. Depending on how deep those tunnels go, be aware there might be issues with comms.”

“I’ve got a possible entrance for you guys here.” Zane shared his screen with Brax, Ryland and Saint, pointing out a location. “It’s hard to tell, but it would make sense considering the change in depth.”

“How can a thermal cam read depths?” Gray asked, leaning over to see the screen.

“It can’t,” Zane said and adjusted his glasses with a grin, “but your boy made some personal upgrades on his fancy drone which include advanced image processing algorithms.”

“Well, whatever that means, we’re glad. Thanks for being such a geek sometimes, Banshee.” Inda slapped Zane on his shoulder.

“You’re all damn lucky to have me.”

A raindrop fell and splashed against Brax’s cheek, and he looked at his team, feeling confident and ready. He pulled his protective gloves on and the others followed suit.

“Let’s go hunting,” Saint murmured.

???

After explaining in far too much detail about what happens when acid meets flesh, Cross stalked up to Quinn and pinned her with a look full of wrath and retribution.

“Tonight, I will finally get my vengeance, and nothing will stop me. But you’ll have to wait a little longer for your turn. First, I have guests to poison. And I’m sure Ex Nihilo will be arriving soon, thanks to you.”

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