Chapter 11

11

Alex’s fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes darting between multiple screens as she tracked the movements of the two men outside. Their casual setup at the corner of her property wasn’t fooling her.

The lights flickered and died, leaving the glow of computer screens to illuminate the space. Every penny they’d spent on backup batteries was worth it.

“They cut the power,” Jason said.

“Wait for it,” Mac said in a singsong voice.

She held her breath as the emergency generator hummed to life, restoring the lights. She allowed herself a small smirk. “Nice try, boys.”

Jason stood behind her, his presence solid and reassuring. Despite her irritation with him, she couldn’t deny the comfort of having a seasoned warrior at her side. His hands moved over the Glock she’d given him with practiced ease, checking and double-checking.

“Mac and I could take them,” he suggested, his voice low and determined.

Mac perked up. “Seriously. Let’s do this!”

Alex shook her head, tamping down the urge to let them loose. Jason was trying to hide it, but his side had to be killing him. “We don’t have enough intel. For all we know that van’s packed with more hostiles.”

She turned to Mac. “Send out the drones. Let’s see what we’re really dealing with.”

As Mac complied, Gravy’s voice piped up from the corner. “So, uh, are we winning?”

Alex bit back a sigh. “We’re gathering information, Gravy. It’s not capture the flag.”

“But if it was, we’d totally be winning, right?”

The tension in the room was palpable as they waited for the drone feedback. Alex could feel her heart pounding, the taste of adrenaline sharp on her tongue.

Mac’s voice cut through the silence. “Boss, I’m not picking up any other heat signatures in the van?—”

“Wait,” Jason interrupted, leaning closer to the screen. “What’s that?”

Alex squinted, watching as one of the men swept what looked like a metal detector over the edge of her lawn. The second man moved closer to the mansion and began to dig.

“No way,” Jason muttered. “Look at the utility bag.”

Alex’s stomach dropped as she spotted the muzzle of a rifle peeking out.

“AR15,” Jason identified, his voice grim.

The room fell silent as the gravity of their situation sank in. These weren’t just intruders; they were hunters. And RAVEN was the prey.

“They’re digging near the junction box I added to keep the security wiring separate from the house supply. There’s no way that junction would show up on blueprints. How did they know where to look?”

Alex’s breath caught as Mac’s words registered.

Jason tensed. “We need to move. Now. I can take these two down, but if Mac’s got the skills ...”

Mac cracked his knuckles. “Oh, I’ve got skills.”

Alex was about to agree when two more phone company vans rolled into view. Her stomach clenched as Mac’s voice cut through the sudden silence.

“Hold up. We’ve got multiple heat signatures in each vehicle. It’s ... it’s a small army.”

The words had barely left his mouth when the drone feed flickered and died. Alex’s fingers flew across the keyboard trying to reconnect, but it was futile. One by one, the screens went dark.

The sudden loss of their flying tech cocoon felt like a physical blow.

“So they know we’re down here,” Alex said, her voice tight. The realization sent a chill down her spine. This wasn’t just an attack; it was a well-planned siege.

Her mind flipped through scenarios, each one worse than the last.

“What’s the play, boss?” Mac’s voice was steady, but she could hear the underlying tension.

She stared at the dead feeds. “We’re outgunned and outmanned. Time to beat a retreat. Live to fight another day.”

She moved swiftly to a hidden panel, her fingers finding the latch by memory. It slid open, revealing four packed bags.

“Go bags,” she explained, tossing one to each of them. “Clothes, cash, burner phones. Everything we need to disappear.”

As she shouldered her own pack, Alex caught Jason’s eye. His expression was a mix of admiration and something she couldn’t quite name.

“Always prepared, huh?” he said softly.

“No different from your business, I’m sure,” she replied, trying to ignore the warmth in his gaze.

The sound of metal grinding against concrete echoed from above, driving home the urgency of their situation.

Time to run.

She led the way through a narrow corridor, her footsteps silent on the concrete floor. The emergency lights cast eerie shadows, transforming familiar surroundings into an alien landscape. She could hear Jason’s measured breathing behind her, feel the warmth radiating from his body in the confined space.

“Watch your step,” she whispered as they approached a hidden trapdoor. Her fingers found the concealed latch, muscle memory taking over. “I’ll take the lead. Mac will bring up the rear.”

The scent of damp earth filled her nostrils as they emerged into a drainage tunnel. Gravy stumbled, his sneakers squelching in the shallow water.

“Dude, this is like, totally spy movie stuff,” he stage-whispered.

Alex bit back a retort. They were close.

The tunnel opened onto a deserted service road. Alex’s eyes darted left and right, scanning for threats. “Clear,” she breathed.

Alex led the way up the weed-choked embankment. She scanned the area before landing on a nondescript sedan parked a quarter-mile down.

“There’s our ride.” She set a brisk pace towards the vehicle.

Jason’s eyebrows shot up. “You’ve got a getaway car just waiting here?”

Alex allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. “One of many. There’s something to be said for being a trust fund baby.”

When they reached the car, Jason let out a low whistle. His eyes met hers, a mix of surprise and admiration flickering across his face. “No doubt,” he responded, his voice appreciative. “This level of contingency planning is ... impressive.”

She felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with their narrow escape. “What? You thought I was just a pretty face with a fat bank account?”

“Not for long,” Jason said, his gaze intensifying. “But now you’ve removed all doubt.”

“Story of my life,” she quipped, but there was no bitterness in her tone. For once, she was grateful for the assumptions people made about her. It had allowed her to build this safety net right under everyone’s noses.

“Mac?” she turned to her friend.

“On it,” he answered before she could voice her request. “I’ll grab the Subaru on the next block and find out where Liv and Gabe are hanging.”

He took off at a jog.

“My cousin doesn’t have any self-defense training. I don’t want Liv having to watch him on her own.”

Jason nodded. “I hear you. Smart plan. You and I can handle this end.”

They piled into the car, the musty scent of aging leather enveloping them. They were alive, they were free, and they had resources.

She fired up the engine and met Jason’s intense gaze. “Let’s get Gravy somewhere safe and regroup.”

Her hand brushed Jason’s as she reached for the gear shift. The brief contact sent a jolt through her system, a reminder of the charged energy between them.

“Where to?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

Alex allowed herself a small smile. “I know a place. Hope you boys like the smell of hay.”

Not that she’d care much if they didn’t.