Page 49 of Fatal Intent
Fifteen minutes later, Riley came to an abrupt stop, grabbing Sean’s arm to stop him. She looked at Grant, her expression grim.
Stomach twisting into a knot, he walked closer to Riley and set Tara on her feet.
Riley inclined her head to the left.
Palming his Sig again, he eased through the foliage and underbrush in the direction Riley indicated.
In Spanish, a man said, “Come to me now or I will shoot you.”
“Not going to happen.”
Rayne. Grant’s heart skipped a beat. He picked his way through the foliage to get closer to Rayne.
Taking cover behind a large tree, he peered around the trunk. Rayne stood with a little girl in her arms.
The soldier scowled and aimed his weapon at Rayne. “Do it now, or I will shoot you.”
“You won’t. You might hit the girl. Then you’d be in trouble with your cartel leaders.”
Grant took aim at the soldier. “Hey,” he yelled.
The soldier spun in his direction, weapon up and ready.
Grant fired two shots to center mass. The soldier dropped to the ground, motionless.
Rayne smiled. “Good timing.”
He shoved through the foliage. “You ladies all right?”
“We’re fine thanks to you, right, Jenna?”
The girl nodded.
“Where’s Jake?”
“Right here.” The medic pushed through the foliage on the other side of the small clearing. “I had to find a safe place for the boy.” He approached the downed soldier with his weapon at the ready, checked for a pulse, and shook his head.
Seth and Andre joined them in the clearing. “Need a hand?” Seth asked.
“Riley is with the Whites.” Grant motioned to the east, where he’d left the couple under the other operative’s protection.
“I’ll go.” Andre loped off without waiting for Seth to agree.
Seth activated his comm device. “Teagan, report.”
“Sean’s father just arrived at the compound. Orders?”
“He’s not our problem. Get out of there. We’ll meet you at rendezvous site two.”
“Copy that.”
“Team three, report.”
“Surprises placed,” Iona said. “Will rendezvous with T in one minute.”
“Copy.”
Jake retraced his steps through the foliage and returned with Will. Seconds later, Andre walked into the clearing with Tara in his arms, her husband and Riley close behind.
