Page 35 of Rescuing Rebecca
He found peace in the rhythmic click of weapons being checked and rechecked. Comfort in the pre-battle banter between teams. Reassurance in the familiarity of his fellow assaulter’s fluid motions, unflagging enthusiasm, and determination to get the job done.
They were the elite. Highly trained, battle-tested predators preparing for the challenge ahead, knowing they were doing the right thing and risking their lives for the right reasons. Every single person here was ready to die so millions of others could live.
There was no greater sacrifice.
Safety check done, he slung his carbine over his chest, pulled his Carhartt beanie out of his pocket, stuffed it down on his head, and made his way over to where Jay and Zander were deep in conversation. “You ready, Z-man?”
“Fucking right I am.”
“Listen, Grant. I just wanted to say th?—”
“Nope.” He clamped his hand down on Jay’s shoulder, cutting him off with a squeeze as the rest of the JTT gathered around. “No thanks necessary. This is what we do.”
“Yeah,” Zander added, tapping two fingers against the stock of his rifle. “Don’t worry that scruffy little hard drive of yours. We’ve got you covered. Rebecca too.”
“He speaks!” Cody slapped a hand over his heart in mock shock. “Didn’t know you had so many words in you, Z-man.”
Jay shook his head, the skull mask still covering the lower half of his face, offering an evil grin. “You’re such an asshole, Tink.”
“Yeah, I’ll never deny it. But let’s be honest. Y’all fucking love me anyway.”
“That’s debatable,” Doc mumbled as Chase looked on, shaking his head like the older brother everybody wanted on their side.
“Hey, snowflake?” JP called out. “You need to use the poop shoot one last time to calm your nerves and empty your colon before we embarquer on this adventure?”
Grant looked over his shoulder, and the sight of the JTT’s Canadian counterparts geared up and waiting for him to get his ass moving sent a shot of adrenaline coursing through his veins. “Fuck you, JP. I won the sphincter-clenching gold medal at the world championships three years in a row. My shit’s secure.”
“Then let’s roll, my cheesy poutine.” JP jerked his thumb toward the door. “The Russians are dat-a-way.”
Final goodbyes unnecessary, because fuck that shit, he’d be seeing these guys again in a couple of hours, Grant nodded to Chase and the rest of team two, then he and Zander broke off from the group, merged with the JTF2, and slipped out into the dark of night.
Operation Daybreak Fury to rescue Rebecca and save the world…
Officially. Fucking. Commenced.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jolted from a fitful sleep plagued by nightmares of being chased by a knife-wielding Roman, Becca sat up fast and slapped a hand against her pounding heart. Holy shit, she heard yelling. Someone issuing garbled commands in rapid-fire Russian.
She turned her face toward the door, straining to see through the thick black soup swirling around her head. Nope. Surrounded by total darkness, she couldn’t make out her hand in front of her face.
In a full-on state of what the fuck, she shifted her gaze to her old alarm clock on the small bedside table. No big red numbers indicated the time. Nothing. No power. Not good. How long had she been out?
She’d gone to bed around one in the morning—after initiating phase three of her plan and uploading the malware she’d designed to infiltrate and destroy Alexsandr’s empire. But it was too soon. Nothing should be happening. Not yet.
She hadn’t initiated the process. Hadn’t entered the string of commands required to shut him down, expose the Imperium Council, and seal their fates.
Or had she?
No. She shook her head.
She’d been planning this moment for two years. No way she’d messed it up by exposing herself too soon. Her pulse erratic, she shoved the blankets off and swung her feet to the cold floor.
Still disoriented, she stood—and the sound of an explosion made her duck for cover. Holy shit! What the fuck was that? Her pulse rocketing and arms out for balance, she froze in place, too scared to move as heavy footfalls raced by her door.
More shouting followed.
Oh God! Had her sister arrived? Found her already?
