Chapter 41

41

Jason’s grip tightened on his M18. Munsinger refused to flinch, despite the barrel pressed against his temple.

“It’s over,” Jason growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Tell your men to stand down.”

Munsinger replied without moving. “Look around you, son. My men are armed. Yours? Not so much.”

A fair point. The pile of weapons was clearly untouched. The team had scattered for cover, but without time to re-arm themselves.

He spotted Alex crouched behind an old arcade machine. She was okay. Relief flooded through him, quickly followed by renewed focus.

Gabriel and Paige were positioned near the stairs, tense but ready. Tai had managed to edge closer to a group of three Seven-Five operatives, his stance casual but alert. But where was Cody? The realization that his teammate had slipped away in the chaos shot a surge of hope through him.

“You really think you’ve won something here?” The general’s tone was almost conversational, as if they were discussing the weather over coffee. Only the acrid scent of sweat told Jason the man was on edge. “There’s always another play, another advantage you haven’t considered.”

Fury bubbled up inside Jason, threatening to overflow. This man, this organization—the Consortium, Seven-Five, whatever they wanted to call themselves—had taken too much from him. Years of his life spent in the shadows, pursuing a justice that always seemed just out of reach. The taint they’d left on his team’s work, on their belief in serving their country, burned like acid in his veins.

He dug the gun into the man’s temple. “No more games. It ends here.”

“It never ends. You of all people should know that by now.”

The man was flat wrong. With the Lord on his side, all things were possible.

He just had to let his Savior’s voice guide him. Jason blanked his mind, feeling for a spark of inspiration. He planned to use the man as a shield, to force the others to back off. As long as they’d still follow Munsinger’s commands …

Tai swayed in the shadows, just enough movement to draw Jason’s attention. When Jason eyed him, he gazed down at his hand, half hidden behind his leg.

Tai had a gun. Excellent.

That would be more than enough to?—

His thoughts screeched to a halt as Gravy lunged forward, his face a mask of pain and rage.

“Dad,” Gravy’s voice cracked, heavy with years of unspoken hurt. “How could you?”

The older man sagged against Jason’s chest. “You were always a means to an end, boy. Calling in RAVEN, getting Alex’s team involved—it was all to lure in the real prize. Like I said. You were bait.”

The pointed admission punched Jason straight in the gut. He couldn’t imagine the pain Gravy must be feeling. But as he glanced at the younger man, he saw something unexpected—a glint of determination in Gravy’s eyes.

Suddenly, he understood. This confrontation wasn’t about family drama at all. Gravy was creating another distraction, giving them an opening.

The tension in the room ratcheted up another notch. Jason could practically taste the electric charge of emotions in the air. He caught Gabriel’s eye, then Paige’s, then Tai’s. Each gave him a subtle nod. His team was ready.

A soft crackle in his ear nearly made him jump. Cody’s voice came through, low and urgent. “I’ve got eyes on the situation. Alex and the others are in position. On your signal.”

Jason’s heart leapt. Comms were back. If they could just use them without tipping off the armed operatives ...

A deafening screech pierced the air, causing everyone to flinch. The ancient park’s PA system had inexplicably come to life, blaring a distorted carnival tune that echoed eerily through the abandoned structure. In that moment of confusion, several things happened at once:

Gravy tackled his father, catching both Jason and Munsinger off guard. Father and son tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs as Jason leapt clear.

Tai whipped out his concealed weapon and took out the two nearest Seven-Five operatives with precision shots to their shoulders, sending their own rifles flying.

Gabriel’s hologram emitters re-activated, projecting lifelike images of Jason’s team, and the RAVEN operatives storming into the room from multiple entry points.

Cody’s voice crackled through the comms again. “Drones deployed. Creating cover now!”

On cue, several small drones zoomed into the space, releasing thick clouds of smoke, further disorienting the last few Seven-Five operatives.

The room erupted into chaos. The cacophony of shouts, gunfire, and the still-blaring carnival music creating a surreal battlefield.

Jason sprinted for cover, using the confusion to his advantage. Kate and Fenn took out an agent each. Paige dropped the last one before Tai could fire, much to the big man’s disappointment.

The air stank of gunpowder and sweat. “Alex!” he shouted, his eyes scanning frantically for a glimpse of her in the melee.

A hand clasped his shoulder. Tai’s steady voice cut through his panic. “She’s fine, dude. Focus. I saw Gravy chase his dad back up the stairs. He’ll need help.”

Jason nodded, forcing himself to breathe. They knew this park, every creaky ride and overgrown path. Even if Munsinger had given his son the slip, Jason would track him down.

With pleasure.