Chapter Thirty

CHAPTER THIRTY

TEAGAN KISSED SETH . "Everything will be fine. We know what we're doing, Seth. Peters and Richardson don't know about the rest of Artemis, so we have the advantage."

"I still don't like it," he muttered. "I should be by your side protecting you, not your teammates. You're everything to me, Teagan. I love you."

"I love you, too, but we have to let this play out. You were right about Peters assigning me a location for a sniper's nest. Instead of looking for the perfect shot to take out the president, I'll be looking for Russ King."

Worry gnawed at her gut. If she took too long to locate King, he would fire on President Martin, then pick off Seth and his men. What he couldn't finish, Salitto would. Seth and the others also had to watch for members of the militia in the audience.

Seth cupped her face between his palms. "I have faith in you. You'll find him in time. I'm more concerned about the plan Peters and Richardson have for you and Violet. If your teammates can't stop them, the retrieval team will take you and Violet. We'll find you, baby, but it will take time. I don't want that for you."

"I'm worried I won't spot King in time to stop him from shooting you and your friends. I wouldn't survive without you, Seth."

"That won't happen. You're better than Russ King, and you have more discipline and training than he does. You also don't have his ego. Besides, we'll be wearing bullet-resistant vests."

"The vests don't stop a bullet to the head."

"Russ will go with the higher-percentage shot. He has a better chance of hitting one of us in the chest than the head."

"Maybe." She had to find King and stop him. "When King realizes I won't take the shot at the president, his priority will be Martin."

"You'll find King before that happens. I believe in you."

She believed in herself, too, but the stakes were high. So much rode on her skill. Teagan could lose everything. She reminded herself of the many hours she'd spent under the tutelage of Alex Morgan from the Durango unit. No one was a better sniper than Alex, and he said she was nearly as good as he was. Guess they'd see how her skills held up against traditional SWAT training.

Teagan hugged Seth. "Your belief in me means everything."

"You ready?"

She nodded. "Let's finish this so we can go home. I'm eager to go on our first actual date without an audience."

"I'm looking forward to it myself."

"No pressure, but I'm expecting a spectacular experience."

Seth laughed. "Noted. I'll do my best."

After one more kiss, Teagan stepped back and picked up her Go bag, which held her sniper rifle and the other equipment she normally carried on a mission.

An hour later, after having gone through a gauntlet of security, the infiltration team walked into the ballroom where the president would speak in a few hours. Teagan glanced around the room and frowned. This was an enormous space. When filled with people, Seth and his team would have a difficult time finding the backup team sent to make sure she and the others did their jobs.

She was also glad to see two ballistic shields in place in front of the podium where the president would speak. If she was slow in refocusing her scope on King and the other sniper got off a shot, hopefully the shields would do their job and protect Martin.

Seth turned to Teagan. "Are you sure you want to do this? It's not too late to back out."

"We have to act like we're following orders," she murmured. "It's the only way to smoke out the conspirators and protect Martin."

"All right." He cupped her nape and drew her close to his body. "Be careful, Teagan. Protect yourself and Violet however you have to do it. Are you hearing me?"

Teagan drew in a ragged breath, understanding what he'd left unsaid. Her cop wanted her to kill if necessary to protect herself and her teammate. She gave a quick nod.

"If they take you, know I will tear the world apart to find you. No one will keep me from your side."

"Any more instructions?"

His jaw clenched. "The time Peters wants the shot is 2:20."

Twenty minutes after Martin began his speech. "I'll be early."

"Martin's ready, and so is his security detail." He brushed his thumb over her cheek. "I wish I could go with you."

"You're needed here. Watch your back. Salitto and King will look for payback."

Seth released Teagan. "Violet is waiting for you. I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you, Seth. See you soon."

Teagan stepped back, winked at him, and pivoted. She walked to her teammate. "Let's go. We have work to do."

They left the hotel and climbed into Teagan's SUV. They drove squares for a few minutes, then headed for the abandoned building where she was to set up her sniper's nest.

She parked behind the structure, then she and Violet drew their weapons and entered the building. After determining no one waited to ambush them, they retrieved their gear from the SUV and locked themselves in the building.

Teagan traipsed upstairs to the room from which she'd make her shots. Although crazy as a loon, Peters had studied the lines of sight well. Nothing would block her shot to the hotel eight blocks away.

She assembled her MK22 and activated her comm device. "We're in place."

"Nothing happening outside so far," Iona said. "You have time to find King's nest. Use it well."

"Copy that." Teagan glanced at her partner. "Ready, Violet?"

"Let's do this."

She set up her bipod and began the slow search for Russ King on high ground. The first hour passed with no luck. Well into the second hour, she caught a slight movement on the rooftop of an apartment building a few blocks away on the east side of the Capital Hotel.

Teagan waited five minutes, ten, fifteen. Still nothing. Ten minutes before Martin began his speech, she spotted more movement on the same rooftop and saw King's face. She breathed easier. "Gotcha," Teagan murmured. Now that she knew exactly where his nest was, she did her calculations for the shot to neutralize the other sniper. She took a moment to send Iona and Seth the address where King had his nest.

"It's almost time for Martin's speech," Violet said. "Any luck?"

"I've got him."

Artemis' medic smiled. "I knew you'd find King. Good job, Teagan."

"I hope I can make the shot. It's not an easy one."

"Ha. You're not fooling me. Alex has set up harder challenges than this one for you, and you handled those with ease. I have faith in you." Violet nudged her shoulder gently. "I bet a certain cop has faith in you, too."

Her cheeks burned as she turned back to her MK22 and refocused on the ballroom. Inside, she spotted Seth and his teammates in different parts of the room, scanning the crowd. As she watched, Seth spoke into the comm device linked to the Secret Service. Seconds later, two agents escorted a man from the ballroom, one Teagan recognized from Haven. Keith, one enforcer Violet had defeated in the challenge Richardson set up their first morning in the compound.

How many more enforcers were in that ballroom? More important, where was Salitto?

Teagan drew in a deep breath. Time to get to work. Seth and his friends had the ballroom covered. She had other things to handle.

She breathed slowly, lowering her heart rate. Teagan went through the routine Alex taught her, easily settling into the zone. She blocked out everything, trusting Violet to keep the enemy off her until she finished her task.

In the ballroom, several people walked onto the stage. There he was. President William Martin. The man had guts. Teagan had to give him that. She didn't know many people who would willingly step onto a stage, knowing someone would fire a sniper's bullet at them. Didn't matter that she would aim well above his head. The shot had to look like a genuine attempt to kill Martin. "Watch the clock, Violet."

"You got it."

At 2:05, President Martin walked to the podium to a standing ovation from his audience. Teagan used her scope to focus on the president. She slowed her breathing further, preparing for the shots of her life.

At 2:09, Violet murmured, "One-minute mark, T."

"Copy." Teagan began the countdown in her head. Thirty seconds later, she refocused on her true target, the pane of glass several feet above President Martin's head. Once she took the shot, she'd have one or two seconds to refocus on King and pull the trigger.

Teagan hated the thought of killing the cop, but he'd kill the president if given a chance. She couldn't allow him to take the shot.

"Fifteen seconds," Violet said.

She stroked the trigger, mentally pulling it and seeing the bullet strike the spot she'd chosen as the least likely to injure anyone in the ballroom.

"Five, four, three, two, one."

Teagan sucked in a breath, let half of it out, and pulled the trigger. The hotel window pane exploded and the ballistic shields rocked. President Martin's security detail took him to the floor and covered him.

She swung her rifle to the right, aimed, and fired. Teagan closed her eyes. She activated her comm device. "King's down."

"Nice job," Iona said. "You and Violet get out of there. No sign of the bogeys yet."

"Copy that." She got to her feet, disassembled her sniper rifle, and stored it in her Go bag. "Time to bug out, Violet."

"Good. This place is creepy."

The two women left the room and walked downstairs, their pistols in hand. Teagan's skin prickled at the back of her neck. Something was wrong. She held up her fist.

Violet froze.

Something was definitely off, but what? Teagan scanned the gloomy interior of the building. Nothing moved in the shadows.

She breathed deep. A pine scent. The only scents she'd picked up when they entered the building were dust, mildew, and stale air.

Teagan signaled Violet to move into the room they'd just passed. Once they were inside, Violet hurried to the window and examined it. She glanced over her shoulder at Teagan. "Can't open it," she mouthed.

Wonderful. She and Violet were trapped unless they broke the window. While Teagan wouldn't hesitate to do that, breaking the window would bring attention to this room, so she'd hold that option in reserve.

Teagan tapped her comm device. "Someone's in the building," she whispered to her teammates.

"Copy," Iona murmured. "Company just converged outside the building, too. We're two minutes out. Looping in Zane."

Seconds later, Zane said, "I have you on infrared imaging with a satellite. Six bogeys are in the building, Teagan. They're hunting you."

"Copy." She looked at Violet, whose expression was grim. Wouldn't be good if the rest of Artemis didn't arrive soon. "Outside?"

"Six more outside plus drivers in three SUVs and two passengers."

Seriously? Why did she and Violet warrant seventeen men? A second later, the answer popped into her head. Seth and his teammates. Peters was as obsessed with her as Richardson was with Violet. They were determined to capture them and kill Seth and his teammates.

"Overkill," Violet murmured.

She nodded.

Outside the room, something brushed against the wall. Seconds later, a man cursed softly. "I can't see anything in here. I'm tripping over the crap left behind. Turn on a light."

"Shut up," another man hissed. "Do you want to give us away?"

Teagan rolled her eyes. They were as subtle as a buffalo lumbering in a room full of glass.

"Remember, Seth and his cop buddies are here somewhere and they're dangerous. Peters just wants the women."

More confirmation that Seth was expendable to Peters. Not to Teagan. Didn't matter how many of these thugs she had to go through, no one was going to use her to trap Seth.

"Z, call in Seth," Iona whispered. "We need a hand."

"Copy that."

Guess that was Teagan's cue to start the party.

Another man called out from the stairs, "They're not here."

"What are you talking about? They have to be here. She just took the shots a minute ago. We heard her."

"Come see for yourself. The room's empty. No trace they were here."

"Search the place again. Now," the first man snapped. "They're here somewhere."

Teagan considered the options and realized there was only one choice. Staying in character was still risky, but she believed Seth and their teammates would come if she and Violet failed to pull this off or escape.

She turned toward Violet, eyebrow raised.

Her teammate gave a slow smile and removed her hair tie. She ran her fingers through her hair and gave Teagan a nod.

After Teagan had done the same to her own hair, she picked up her Go bag and slipped it over one shoulder. "How long, Z?" she whispered.

"Your teammates are stalking the crew outside. Seth is three minutes out."

"Copy. Engaging now."

"Be careful, Teagan."

"Copy that." She slipped into her role, strolled into the corridor, and headed for the lobby area of the building with Violet a few steps behind her.

One enforcer Teagan and her team hadn't confronted in the challenge stepped in front of her. "There you are." He scowled as he looked behind her. "Where are Seth and the others?"

She gave him a sultry smile. "Not here."

One by one, the rest of the Haven enforcers joined them in the lobby. They surrounded the women, giving them no chance to escape.

Theo, the leader, snorted. "Come on, Teagan. I've seen the way Seth looks at you. He wouldn't leave you here with only the medic to protect you."

She shrugged and inched closer to the enforcer. "Why are you and the others here? We're supposed to meet Peters and Richardson at the rendezvous point in two hours. Seth and the others are meeting us there."

Theo's gaze raked over her body. Heat gleamed in his eyes. "Change of plans, sweetheart," he murmured. "I'm beginning to understand Peters' obsession with you and your friend."

"Just what every woman wants to hear." Violet swept her hair back from her face and favored the enforcer with a smile. "I don't think my boyfriend will appreciate your interest, Theo. He doesn't like to share."

"He won't stand in my way much longer," he shot back. "Hope you said goodbye to your man this morning because you won't see him again."

The rest of his buddies chuckled.

"What do you mean by that?" Teagan demanded. "Seth and his team are meeting us. They never break their word."

"I'm following orders."

"What orders?" Violet asked. "We know nothing about a change in plans. Why are you lying to us?"

Teagan tilted her head. "Are you playing a game of your own?"

"No game, sweetness. Peters and Richardson have something special planned for you two, and now your men can't interfere." He licked his bottom lip and grasped her upper arm. "I might ask to watch. If I'm lucky, I'll get to help."

She shifted closer. "Watch? Oh, you're a bad boy, Theo." Teagan shook her head. "Seth won't be happy to hear that. I hope you like to run because when he finds out you touched me without permission, you'll be running until you drop dead."

He jerked her up against him. "Don't you understand what I'm telling you? Your boyfriend is dead or soon will be. You better hope Peters keeps you to himself. If he gives me a chance at you, you'll learn how a real man disciplines his woman."

While he spouted threats, Teagan freed her knife. When Theo wound down, Teagan said, "Let go of my arm."

The enforcer sneered. "And if I don't?"

She smiled. "Look down, Theo."

He glanced down and froze. "Are you crazy?"

"Not at the moment. That will change if you don't take your hand off me."

When the other enforcers moved to intervene, Violet brandished her knife, balancing on the balls of her feet. "Uh uh, boys. I don't think Teagan and Theo need your help to settle their disagreement, do you?"

"You're lucky Richardson wants you for his pet," Sal snapped. "Women should know their place. If he doesn't teach you, the rest of us will."

"Seth's team is outside, helping Artemis," Zane said in their comm device. "He's fifteen seconds out."

Violet laughed. "I don't think so, Sal. You're not man enough to teach me anything."

Sal growled and rushed at her.

Teagan punched Theo in the groin and ducked to fend off another enforcer reaching out to restrain her. She spun on one foot and kicked him in the jaw.

Kip screamed and fell to the floor, cradling his broken jaw.

Violet dodged a punch and struck Art in the side with her knife while Teagan threw one of her knives at Kevin. The blade struck deep in his chest. Blood drained from Kevin's face as he staggered back and sank to his knees. With a groan, he toppled onto his side and went motionless.

The remaining enforcers moved in a circle around the two women. "You shouldn't have done that," Talon spat out. "Both of you will be tied up for months in the punishment room. We'll be lining up to teach you how to treat men with respect."

Talon charged Teagan while Chip struck out at Violet.

Teagan side stepped and Talon's momentum sent him rushing past her. She tripped him and he went flying, landing hard on his stomach. Before he could scramble to his feet, she threw a knife at him. The blade buried itself in one of his kidneys. She twisted the knife and yanked it free, turning to help Violet if she needed a hand.

Wasn't necessary. Violet had jammed a knife into Chip's gut and twisted as she yanked the blade free.

The back door flew open, and the women spun to take on another challenge. Seth rushed in, weapon up and ready.

He pulled up short as he took in the scene in front of him. "Sorry I'm late for the party." He smiled. "Looks like all that's left is cleanup."

"Let's restrain these guys." Violet shoved her knife into her sheath. "Zane, give us ten minutes, then call in the feds."

"Copy that, Violet. Any injuries?"

"Not on our part. There are plenty here, but they can wait for someone else to patch them up."

Glancing at the enforcers bleeding on the floor, Teagan knew some men would need a medical examiner rather than a doctor.

Delaying the inevitable, she helped Seth and Violet restrain the enforcers. With nothing left to do, she turned to face the man she loved. Would he still feel the same way about her after seeing what she could do?

He spread his arms. "Come here, baby."

She dove into his embrace, tears burning her eyes.

"Are you all right?" he murmured.

Teagan nodded. "You?"

"I have a scratch that Violet can help me with soon."

"What happened in the ballroom?"

"We identified every Haven team member for the feds."

"How is the president?"

"Not a scratch on him. Nice shot, Teagan."

She frowned. "I missed."

"You hit where you aimed."

"Salitto?"

"He made the mistake of tangling with Bowen. Salitto came out on the losing end of the skirmish."

"He's dead?"

He nodded. "So are Peters and Richardson."

She froze. "What happened?"

"They were both outside this building, waiting for these clowns to drag you and Violet to their SUVs. Noah took down Richardson while I took care of Peters. As we speak, the FBI is raiding Haven. They're arresting everyone in the compound. They'll interview people and sort through the information they gather. Some militia members are innocent. They didn't have a clue what Peters and Richardson planned."

"What about the vice president? Is he safe?"

Another nod. "The Texas Team was part of Reynolds' security detail. Between them and Phantom, they found and detained all the conspirators trying to kill Reynolds, including the sniper."

She swallowed hard and leaned back far enough to lock gazes with Seth. "And King?"

"His body is on the way to the ME's office." He kissed her gently. "You're amazing, Teagan. I don't know how you made that shot. I couldn't have made it."

Her tension eased. "Alex's training."

"He did a great job preparing you for the shot of your life."

Zane said, "Feds are two minutes out."

She sighed. "Copy."

"What is it?" Seth asked.

"The feds will be here soon."

He grimaced. "We'll be tied up for a while. They'll try to separate us for the interviews."

She studied his determined expression. "You have a plan to keep us together?"

"Call your boss. Have him call in a favor. I don't want to leave your side."

"Zane, did you get that?"

"Copy. Maddox is on it."

Soon, the FBI entered the building with weapons drawn. "FBI. Hands up. Now."

The three of them followed the order.

Special Agent Walters strode into the building. His eyebrows rose at the sight of the six men on the floor. "Nice work, Dixon."

"Wasn't me. I arrived in time to watch the last of the women's handiwork."

"I'm impressed, ladies." He motioned for them to put their hands down. "I'll need any weapons you used."

Teagan frowned. "It's my favorite knife."

"Same," Violet said.

"Sorry, ladies. It's protocol."

She and Violet dropped their weapons into the evidence bags supplied. Walters sealed them and signed the labels.

"We need to interview all of you, but we'll be processing the scene for a while." He motioned to the men on the floor. "Not only that, we need to transport them to the hospital for treatment."

"Seth needs treatment as well," Teagan said. "He's injured."

Seth shook his head. "Violet can take care of it. I don't want another hospital visit. Do you mind, Violet?"

"I'll look at the injury, but if I think you need more advanced medical care, I'll insist you see a doctor."

"Fair enough. I don't think that will be necessary."

"How were you injured?"

"Salitto caught me with the tip of his knife."

"Where?"

"Right side. Back to front. He caught me below the vest."

Violet glanced at Agent Walters. "Do you mind if I treat Seth and his teammates' injuries?"

"Go. Don't leave before we take your statements. I won't be happy if I have to track you down."

"Understood. If I think any of the men need a doctor, I'll inform you before we transport them."

He gave a brief nod. "By the way, Teagan, great shot taking down the sniper. If you ever want to work for us, we could use a sniper with your training."

"I'm happy where I am." The thought of working under the law enforcement agency's strict rules made Teagan feel twitchy.

Walters chuckled. "Had to offer. If you change your mind, let me know. I'll put in a good word for you." He turned away to organize his team.

"Let's go, Seth." Teagan stepped back and wrapped her hand around his. "I want Violet to check your injury."

"It's not pretty."

"Never is."

He wasn't wrong. At Teagan's SUV, Seth tugged off his shirt and turned so the medic could assess the damage.

Teagan hissed. "Oh, Seth." Salitto had tried and failed to stab Seth in the kidney.

"I'll be fine. It's a minor scratch."

Violet rolled her eyes. "A scratch? Buddy, you need stitches. That gash is at least seven inches long and deep in places. You should see a doctor, Seth."

"I'd rather you treat me."

"You're as bad as my teammates." She opened her Go bag. "Teagan, raise the liftgate. Seth, sit at the edge of the cargo area." Violet glanced over her shoulder at Noah, who was walking toward them. "You have injuries, Noah?"

"I'm fine. Bowen could use some TLC."

She frowned. "Is his injury worse than Seth's?"

"Cut on his arm. It's not as long or as deep."

"He's next in line."

"You got it, babe. I'll bring him back with me."

Teagan's eyebrow rose. "Have something to share with the class, Violet?"

Her friend's face flushed. "Not yet."

Those two words were telling. She smiled. "Couldn't happen to a nicer couple."

"It's not official, T. I might never see him again after we return to Ardmore."

"Not a chance," Seth said. "I've never seen him this interested in a woman, Violet. If you're not interested in a relationship with Noah, now's the time to tell him."

"I didn't say I wasn't interested. I don't know if he wants to pursue a relationship with me."

"Don't think that's an issue."

An hour later, Violet straightened and tugged off her gloves. "Congratulations, Seth. You're the proud owner of fifty stitches. I should have sent you to the hospital."

"Thanks for taking care of it for me. One hospital visit this week was enough."

She dug in her bag and pulled out two packets. Violet handed them to Seth. She tapped one. "Antibiotic. Take two a day until they're finished. No whining about it or skipping doses. I'm sure Salitto didn't sanitize his knife before using it on you."

"What's the other packet?"

"Mild pain killers like I gave you for your head injury. Take two when you need them. Don't try to tough out the pain. It's hard to kill if you let pain get ahead of you."

"Yes, Doctor Violet."

She waved him off. "Go. Grant, you're next."

"Yes, ma'am."

While Violet worked on Grant's injury, Agent Walters found Seth and Teagan, escorted them to his SUV, and interviewed them. When he finished, he went through the same process with the rest of the infiltration team.

Walters shook Seth's hand. "Thank you for your help, Dixon. You and your team did an amazing job in a brief span of time. We could use a team like yours if you decide to move up to the big leagues."

"No, thanks, sir."

The special agent studied him for a moment. "You realize word of your role in King's death will leak to your fellow cops."

"We know."

"If you need another option, call me. We'll be in touch when we need you and your team to testify." With that, Walters returned to the building to oversee the crime scene team.

Iona said, "Seth, you and Teagan report to Maddox and Burnett on the way to the hotel. Are we staying overnight or leaving today?"

"I'd like to leave this area if possible. I think we captured everyone from Haven, but I don't want to stay and find out I'm wrong."

"If they want us bad enough, they'll go to Ardmore. We aren't hard to track down in a town that size."

"Not to mention your fellow cops won't be happy with our role in King's death," Riley said.

"I'm aware." Seth wrapped his arm around Teagan's waist. "Let's go before the media sniffs out this location and plasters our faces all over the news."

On the way to the hotel, Teagan called Maddox. "It's Teagan. You're on speaker with Seth, Noah, and Violet."

"Sit rep."

Between them, she and Seth updated her boss.

"Excellent work. Injuries?"

"Seth and Grant," Violet said.

"How bad?"

"Fifty stitches on the right side for Seth. Fifteen in the left arm for Grant."

"Time out of work?"

"A week for Grant. Three weeks for Seth."

"Copy that. Seth, you and the rest of the infiltration team report to Fortress headquarters for a full debriefing within 48 hours. We'll talk once that's finished."

"Yes, sir."

"Have you called Burnett?"

"No, sir."

"Do it now."

The call to Burnett took longer than the one to Maddox. "I'm sorry, sir," Seth said. "Teagan didn't have a choice. King had President Martin lined up in his crosshairs. If she hadn't fired when she did, Martin would be dead."

A sigh. "I understand. I dread making the death notification to King's wife."

"You could let the feds do it, sir."

"I volunteered to break the bad news. She deserves to hear the truth from one of us, not a total stranger. Seth, we need to talk when you return."

"Yes, sir. We'll need a few days. Grant and I were injured capturing men from Haven."

"Take your time, all right? When you're ready, contact me and we'll meet somewhere besides the station house."

Teagan glanced at Seth. His expression of resignation said it all. This wasn't fair. He and his teammates had served their country by working a dangerous covert mission and saved the life of President Martin. They shouldn't be ostracized by the law enforcement community they'd served with because she killed a dirty cop.

"Yes, sir. I'll pass the word to the rest of my team. Watch your back, LT."

"Copy that, Seth. See you in a few days." Burnett ended the call.

"We're finished, aren't we?" Noah said.

"I'm afraid so. We knew that was a possibility before we undertook this mission."

"Doesn't mean I like knowing we were right. So, what's next?"

"We'll land on our feet. We always do."

In their hotel suite an hour later, Seth faced the rest of their team. "Do we go home or stay here?"

"Go," Knight said. "I want out of this town before the newsies figure out who we are."

"I'm more concerned about the people from Haven," Marsh said.

"Same," Noah said. "I vote we go."

Seth turned to Iona. "Artemis' vote?"

"Go."

"All right. Load up and let's get on the road."

While the others loaded the vehicles, Teagan, Seth, and Iona checked out. In the parking lot, they saw Phantom also loading their gear.

Adam shook Seth's hand. "Good job, today, Dixon. Heard you were injured."

He shrugged. "I'll live."

"Hope we can work with you again in the future. I understand from Maddox we'll be debriefing at the same time. We'll see you at headquarters."

After loading their gear, Seth tossed the keys to Teagan. "Drive the first leg of the journey home. I have a few phone calls to make."