Page 92 of Anything for You
Dorian
My hands shook as I loaded my sidearm.
“You don’t have to take that. Just take the Taser.”
Kenny’s voice froze my movements for a half second before I continued strapping on gear. “I’m okay.”
When he didn’t respond after another few seconds, I finished clipping everything into my tactical vest and looked up. The concern on his face was crystal clear.
“You don’t have to do this. We’ll get her.”
I was already shaking my head. “I have to go. I can’t just sit around and wait. I’ve done this a million times.”
It wasn’t pity on his face, but something that scratched uncomfortably close to a barely closed wound. “You have, but it’s been a while. And you’ve never gone after your person, right? Not someone you loved like Dove.”
My throat tightened and eyes watered enough to makeme blink hard in determination to keep it together. “I know that. But we’re not using these weapons, right?”
That was the concept and we all knew it. We’d be fools not to go in armed, but it’d be a mess in terms of law enforcement and we’d certainly be better off not escalating that far if we could help it.
He nodded. “That’s the goal.”
He held my gaze, and I hoped he could see everything there. I didn’t want to do this, but I could. I would.
“I’m not being stubborn or foolish. I promise you I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t think I could handle it. I can follow orders and if we come across any of the guys I’ve met before, it might be an advantage to have me there. If I feel like I’m losing my grip, I swear to you I’ll let you know.”
“Deal.” He pulled me in for a bracing hug, then shoved me away. “Now let’s get focused and get your woman back.” He flashed me a smile as he cinched his vest tighter.
“Let’s do it.”
We moved quickly and silently from my property line. Most of us didn’t maintain the same level of fitness we’d had while in the EMU, which demanded we could ruck march forty miles just in case. Instead, each of us had our own regimen and mine had nothing to do with long-distance runs. I did short runs, lifting, and work on the farm, but some weeks, I only managed the farm work.
All of this meant I was counting on the adrenaline cranking through me and the intel we’d gathered thanks to a drone we flew over the compound to grab photos of their setup. We’d beapproaching the long way to avoid coming in the main entrance, but it would only be about a mile through oak bramble and woods until we met with buildings. From there, another half mile through the streets, which would be the most likely to blow our cover, and then to the larger buildings we’d determined were most likely places Dove and Catherine might be.
In just over twelve minutes and thanks to the eerily quiet streets of Patriot Ridge, Jaws, Oak, Doc, Barbie, Cookie, Eddie, Elizabeth, and I approached the largest buildings in two four-man teams. We moved at Jaws’s and Eddie’s direction, funneling through an easily breached entrance thanks to Cookie’s CMOE skills.
We hadn’t encountered anyone, but the sounds from the chapel-like building suggested most people were in the biggest structure attending whatever version of church these people held. Hopefully, that meant the way to Dove and Catherine would be clear.
Each step we took, my heart pounded, calling out to her. I willed her to know we were coming, that we would save her—them. We’d save both of them from whatever this whole mess was, and the people who’d kidnapped them would face the consequences.
Beast’s analysis suggested this would be the most likely place to find the women, and inside one unattended room, we burst in to find Catherine gagged and cuffed to a metal pipe in the dark.
She instantly started crying, and Eddie and Elizabeth went to her.
“You’re alright. We’re here. We’re getting you out,” they both assured her while Doc assessed her for illness and injury.
“Where’s Dove, Catherine? Can you tell us anything?”Jaws asked, striking the perfect note of commanding but gentle.
God bless him, because I couldn’t speak. My heart was crawling into my throat and all I could think was, “She’s not here. She’s not here.”
“We’ll find her. This is good. We’ll get her,” Cookie said, waiting until I met his eyes and staying with me for a beat while I took a breath and calmed enough to think straight.
He was right. Finding Catherine unharmed save for the trauma of being taken and locked up in a room was the best possible news. Next stop, Dove.
Beast radioed to indicate there was more movement at our second target building, so Eddie and Elizabeth stayed with her. I sent a photo of Catherine to Sheriff Ryan and Chief Whitacker, hoping the evidence of her containment would be enough to get them access. Even if we found Dove, we’d either have to sneak her and Catherine back to my property, which was a long way off on a good day for most people, or we’d walk out the front with their protection.
I voted Option B and I voted it happennow.
“Move in.”
