Page 15 of Sackett
15
“Weneedtogetout of here,” Ghost said a little before sunset.“Find somewhere else to be until it’s time to head out.”
Sackett frowned.He didn’t want to be any farther away than they had to be.The last thing he wanted to do was backtrack.Especially when he didn’t understand his need to get Selena out of there ASAP.Only that his gut told him they needed to.
“There’s a parking area, with restrooms and access to the river a couple miles up this road,” Colt said.“It’s the other side of the turn off to the compound but a little closer than here.It’s not manned, so no one would notice if we hung around there for a few hours, especially not this time of night.”
“That sounds like a good place.We’ve been here too long.We’re starting to attract attention.”Ghost glanced toward the gas station.
Sackett had noticed the cashier had come outside several times since they’d arrived and had watched them off and on.He’d been ready to say they were taking a bit of a break on a long ride, if the man had approached, but he hadn’t.That didn’t mean he wouldn’t remember them.Who knew if he’d say anything should the raid they were planning to leave on in a couple of hours was reported to the police or made it to be public knowledge.None of them were wearing their Kuttes, but that didn’t matter if there were cameras.One decent image and they could be identified by the plates off one of the bikes or a decent photo of someone’s face to run though facial recognition software.
It only took them a few minutes to load up and hit the road, Colt in the lead to show them where they were going.Sackett sat in the passenger seat of the rented SUV wishing they’d had time to drive up.He would have given a lot for the free feeling of being on his bike right now, even if it was only for a few minutes.But the rented car would be better once they had Selena.He had no way of knowing what kind of shape she was in, and if they’d hurt her, it might be difficult for her to stay on the back of a bike.
Sackett had to push that line of thinking from his head because just thinking about them hurting her had him wanting to smash something, preferably someone’s face.If it could be the person who’d hurt her, even better but he didn’t care who at the moment.And he didn’t even know if she was hurt.No, it was better if he didn’t dwell on that thought.
They pulled in the parking lot of the rest area and while Maverick parked, Sackett looked around.The area was beautiful.Enough that he wished they were here on something other than a rescue mission.He’d like to have the time to enjoy the little picnic area, and the river, as it deserved.
As he marveled at how spectacular the place was, he couldn’t help but wonder what Selena would think of it.Would she think it was as amazing as he did?
Around him, his brothers from Gillette got off their bikes and made their way over to one of several tables.Maverick got out and joined them.Sackett didn’t know if his brother had noticed anything off about Sackett’s mood or just chosen not to say anything.Not that it mattered.All that mattered was that they got in, got out and were successful.
Failure was not an option.But then, that was the attitude that all his brothers had, so while doubt might creep into Sackett’s mind, he knew without a doubt that they’d get the job done.That was all he needed to know, and all he needed to plan for.The rest, he and his brothers would deal with when the time came.
Sackettcreptbetweenbuildingsin the bent knees walk he’d learned in the Navy.He was in the lead, with Jake right behind them and Malice covering their tail.Pistols in hand, they made their way to the building they had been assigned to search, each of them keeping an eagle eye out for anyone who might call out an alarm.He could only be grateful for the nearly full moon overhead that cast enough light he had little difficulty seeing where he was going.
He listened for any sound that might mean he and his brothers weren’t the only ones out there.The comm in his right ear clicked, indicating that the other trio had made it to the building where they were set to search for Selena.When they reached the building, Sackett used his right hand to trigger the comm button mounted to the front of his flak vest in the center of his chest so he could press it without having to release his weapon, letting the others know they’d made it to the building just as Ghost had done earlier.
From there being no lights on in the building, and that the door they’d come in hadn’t been locked, Sackett didn’t think they’d find Selena in this building, but they had to check it to be sure.
Sackett took the rooms on the right side of the hall, Jake the ones on the left while Malice covered their backs by watching the hallway in both directions.Jake had cleared three rooms and Sackett two, when they reached the third door on the right side of the hall, it was only the second closed door they’d encountered, but the first that was locked.
He motioned for the others to cover him, holstered his pistol, then pulled out the thin leather kit from one of the pockets on his tactical pants and went to work on the lock.In under thirty seconds, though it felt like a lot longer, he’d unlocked the door.After pocketing the tools, he stood and drew his pistol before he made sure his brothers were at his back before quietly turning the knob and easing the door open.The room was almost completely dark, only a single tiny window letting in a sliver of light to come in and hit the bare cement floor.
It took a moment for him to scan the room and see that there was nearly no furniture inside.A table, a toilet, a bench on one wall with an odd lump on it.He advanced into the room to investigate and quickly realized it was a person.As he got closer, he could tell it was a woman.His heart sped.What were they chances they were holding more than one woman captive?They were here for Selena but if he could help it, he wouldn’t leave anyone imprisoned like this.
He holstered his pistol then fished in his pocket for a small amber light and used it to illuminate her face.The uncommon color had been chosen to preserve their night vision, as well as show the least glow that might be spotted from afar.
His heart seemed to stop for a moment as he recognized Selena’s face despite the odd color of the light.He triggered the comms with the button in the middle of his chest with the code they’d established to let the others know he’d found her.The dark fringe of her lashes that feathered across her cheeks twitched then fluttered open.He quickly covered her mouth with one hand to keep her from crying out and letting anyone know they were there.They hadn’t encountered anyone, but he’d hate to have someone under the window just as she cried out.
Selena’s eyes went wide as he placed his hand over her mouth, and she started to claw at his arm as he leaned down and spoke in a voice that was barely more than the sound of his breathing.
“You’re safe, Selena.It’s Sackett, we’re here to get you out.”He backed off, but kept his hand over her mouth, while he waited for his words to register.
Her hand on his loosened, she looked up and met his gaze.
He bent close to whisper to her again.“Can you walk?”
She nodded.Sackett loosened his hand over her mouth then held it out flat so she could take it as she sat up, then stood, if she needed to.
“Building’s clear.”Malice’s voice, just barely louder than his own had been to Selena came over the comm in his ear.
“Coast is clear, you can speak softly if you need to but keep it to a minimum until we’re in the clear and out of here,” he whispered, leaning close so she would hear him.
She nodded, letting him know she heard and understood, then he made sure she was steady on her feet and not having any trouble moving as he guided her out into the hall to join Jake and Malice.
16
Selena’sheartstillthunderedin her ears.She’d been terrified when she’d woken to find a huge man hovering above her.And it had only gotten worse when he’d covered her mouth.She was embarrassed by how long it had taken for her mind to clear and his words to sink in.
