Page 65 of No Regrets

“Sure, you can. Look at how much you’ve done already. Walking into a bar where you know you will be welcomed will be a breeze.”

A small smile formed on Kelly’s lips. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.

“Perhaps I could reach out to Ryan and see when they might be there.”

“There you go. See. You got this.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Deja vu swept over Dex as he huddled in the hillside observing what was now Ahmed Khalini’s compound. A little over three months ago, Alpha was in this exact position ready to go in and rescue Kelly. Now they were here as Raven. They’d agreed on the new team name together. Raven, keeping the “black” theme of Onyx black ops.

Construction at the compound was ongoing. A wall now surrounded the perimeter, barbed wire along the top. Inside two buildings appeared completed, and another two, one to the east and one to the west, were still under construction. The largest of the finished buildings replaced the one where they found the tunnels underneath. Where they found Kelly. The tunnels would provide protection, an escape route for Khalini, but not today. They had no intention of letting him get anywhere near those tunnels.

Two dozen soldiers guarded the compound. Nothing they couldn’t handle, but Dex had no doubt more were just a phone call away, and he had no idea how many that call would bring. Timing was everything on this op.

They’d been doing surveillance for the last two hours. Mackie had confirmed Khalini entered the main building a little over an hour ago and hadn't left. It was now close to midnight, and most of the Reborn soldiers had turned in for the night, just a couple had been posted on the roof of the main house with rifles.

“Let’s head to the breach point,” Dex whispered.

As they moved down the hillside to the perimeter wall, Dex tapped his coms, switching channels, singling out Sam. “Is it a go?”

“Negative. Take the target then get out. We’ll come back for them; you have my word.”

“Copy that.” Fuck, he so wanted to bring Bravo home.

Raven got into place at the rear of the compound. A tiny blind spot from the soldiers on the roof. Steve and Tyler boosted up Donnie, who cut through the barbed wire with ease, tossing it aside. He climbed on top of the wall and reached down, grabbing a rope from Ryan. Donnie disappeared over the other side and secured the rope, allowing the others to climb easily over the wall.

Once over, they stayed low, behind the west construction, sweeping the area and listening to ensure they remained undetected. Confident they were good, Dex glanced over at Donnie.

“Ready?”

“You know it.” They bumped fists and Donnie made his way up one of the ladders inside the west building. The rest of the team poised to provide cover if necessary. At the top of the ladder, Donnie would have a clear line of sight of the two soldiers on the roof.

“OK Raven four, this one’s on you. Whenever you’re ready.” Dex had no doubts Donnie, the team sniper, would take them with ease.

“You got it, boss man.”

Seconds later Dex heard two pops.

Donnie’s voice came over coms. “Targets down.”

Dex looked at Steve and Mackie. “Go.”

The two men hustled to the east building to set explosives. The blast would distract from Raven and the two dead lookouts. The plan was to draw the soldiers to the commotion, giving the team the chance to enter the main house.

Within five minutes, Steve, Mackie, and Donnie were back with the rest of the team.

“OK, boys, let’s go get this son of a bitch. Blow it.”

Several small explosions ripped through the east building. Reborn soldiers raced toward the fire, screaming at each other in clear confusion.

“Let’s move.” It was imperative they get into the main house before Khalini had a chance to suspect they were under attack and head for the tunnels.

The team cleared the main floor before Dex and Ryan trotted up the stairs. The sound of footsteps stopped them in their tracks. The footsteps got closer. No kill shots. Khalini was inside this house somewhere and orders were to take him alive. Dex raised his rifle and swung it down, catching the man as he came into view. Disarming him, Dex raised his NVGs and aimed a light in the man’s face.

“Not him.” He quickly zip tied his hands, before stepping over the unconscious body.

With one room left, the two men paused, either side of the door.

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