Page 40 of Dismantle & Prevail
“I’m sorry for being a jackass earlier. I’m just a little stressed with this being my first mission back.”
“It’s fine. Just watch your back in there and be safe.”
I can tell he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. Instead, he wraps his arms around me and glances over my shoulder. Tombstone climbs in the passenger seat, his eyes immediately going to the computer resting on the dash.
“Keep her safe, Tomb.” Ari’s voice is cold and authoritative.
Tombstone’s head snaps in our direction, a smile spreading across his face. “Of course, Prez. I’d never let anything happen to my little sis.”
I flash Tombstone a smile and turn my attention back to Ari, who is glaring at Tomb.
Damn, this man is grumpy today.
After what feels like the longest hug ever, Ari disentangles his arms from around me. “See you soon, Hellhound. Be safe.”
“Always.”
His hand moves to cup the side of my face and I try to search his dark eyes for a hint of what is going through his mind, but I can’t place it because he is walking away and following the group up the driveway before I can put two and two together.
As soon as he and the others disappear up the driveway, I shut my door and begin watching the cameras, Tombstone mimicking my gesture.
Tombstone glances over at me for a brief moment before holding out his fist. I bump mine against his and wait for him to say his signature phrase. “Let’s do this thang, girl.”
Tombstone and I have established this routine. Every time I’m on a mission, he is my buddy. More like my bodyguard, but I like to think of him more as an assistant than a protector. Tombstone loves to learn about what I do, and he is getting the hang of things. He is nowhere as good as I am, but he knows the basics and that’s sometimes all you need.
We both check our comms systems and watch as the groups grow closer to their entry points. As Group Barrives on the front steps of the house, Zoro’s voice crackles through the earpiece.
“Approaching the front door. Two guards are walking inside. Everyone get ready to take down as soon as we burst through those doors.”
“Heard.”
“Approaching the back door. No sign of guards, will hold position until Group Bhas the attention,” Boone says, his voice calm and quiet.
“Heard.”
Group Bappears on the camera and I watch with bated breath as the group busts through the doors, immediately taking down the two guards.
The sounds of gunshots and yelling sound and my eyes stay locked on the camera.
A flood of men dressed in all black approach from the left corridor and I say, “Incoming. Left corridor. Head count is about twenty.”
“Thanks, Tay,” Tucker says, and I watch as he turns his attention to the incoming men.
I watch in amazement as the Braveheart men methodically take down each and every one of the guards, like it's a cakewalk to them.
Various voices filter through the comms system and slowly Group Bmakes their way up the stairs just as a group of men make their way from the third floor.
“Problem. Captor is entering a panic room, and a guard is on their way quickly towards Bailen,” Tombstone warns.
“Group B, go after the guards and keep them away from Bailen’s door. We will come behind and secure her.” Boone’s orders are firm and no one argues.
I watch in complete silence as gunshots ring throughout the staircase, my attention moving back and forth between Bailen’s terrified expression as she hides in the corner of her room and both groups taking down men left and right.
“Romeo. Fucking stop. Jump in front of me again and I push you down these stairs.” Ari’s voice has me frozen and I find him on the cameras. He, Romeo, and a few other members are locked in a shootout with men on the third floor. Romeo stares at him with a sad expression but doesn’t heed his warnings.
One after another, Romeo and the other members jump in front of Ari, take his shot, or push him behind a corner. To anyone else, they would look as if they were protecting their prez, but judging by Ari’s face, he wants to rip their heads off. And he almost does just that.
Out of nowhere, Ari grabs Romeo and his twin brother, Rocky, by the back of their shirts and throws them back, pointing his gun at the guards, taking them down one by one.
