Chapter 10

ZAHDA ISLAND, ABU DHABI, UAE

"Almost there," Davis said into the speaker phone.

"Copy," Chapel replied on the other end before hanging up.

The city was alive with lights and nightlife now that the sun was fully below the horizon. Eerie calm settled on this side of the Ba Halama Bridge that connected Reem Island to Zahda Island.

From what Davis could see, at least a dozen multistory buildings—maybe intended for offices—stood with scaffolding still around them. The ones illuminated by the streetlights looked abandoned. Unlike the main streets of Abu Dhabi, filled with people heading home from work or getting an early jump on a night of partying, the roads on Zahda Island were all but empty. A few parked cars dotted the roadsides, but he didn't see any sign of people.

The small island practically begged for trouble.

Streetlamps and city lights that refused to give way to stars overhead lit a particularly dead road Davis turned onto. At least they'd have plenty of light to work by outside. Once they stepped inside, it'd be another story.

A glance at his phone to check the directions Chapel'd sent him ten minutes ago made him bank right behind one of the unfinished structures. The location Leila had shared wasn't far from here. Maybe a couple buildings over.

Next to him, Hollyn shifted in her seat. Their kiss was still on repeat in his head. But as much as he'd slipped and let himself enjoy the moment, getting involved with Hollyn was just about the last thing he could do right now. Another time, another place.

The Chevelle's low beams splashed across two low-profile SUVs ten yards ahead. Couldn't see from this side of a huge construction dumpster, but he knew Chapel and the team were ready on the other side. Thick plastic covering over sections of the concrete buildings flapped in the breeze as Davis shifted down and parked behind the rear vehicle.

Before Davis killed the headlights, Chapel emerged and greeted them with a lifted chin. Damocles operators Cage Macklin and Nixon Hale flanked him. All guys Davis had shared ops with back in the day. Macklin and Hale were lethal on their own, but together they were an unstoppable force.

For the first time since his accident, Davis felt himself come alive with the familiar rush of pre-op adrenaline. It grounded him. He lived for this stuff. It was a rush to get another taste of the one thing he did well.

Another reason he was so irritated the Army had tossed him out like a live grenade.

A dark-haired woman he recognized stepped up to the Chevelle in full tac gear when he exited. An M4 hung loose across her small frame, and she wore a "mess around and find out" expression he could see even in the glow of the full moon.

"Ledger." Lieutenant Nora Glace greeted him with an extended hand and clasped his in a respectably firm grip. "Chapel said you've got a woman with you." She held a small tac vest and helmet out to Davis. "This should fit her better than the extras the guys have. No NVGs, but we figured that was more important for you."

He took it. "Thanks."

Hollyn came around the front of the muscle car.

The two women eyed each other in the dim light. Were like night and day in comparison—one clearly confident and full of grit, the other soft and more than a little out of place.

"Hey," Hollyn said to Glace. She looked between Davis and the LT, seemingly unsure what to do.

"Hollyn, this is Lieutenant Glace." Davis introduced them.

Glace lifted a hand in acknowledgement. "You can call me Nora."

"Hollyn."

The petite operator grinned before she walked away.

Behind them, Fury barked from the car, reminding Davis to let him out.

He opened the door. "Fuss."

Wild and ready for action, the RMWD jumped from the backseat. Glued himself to Davis's thigh, tail low and zipping back and forth.

They walked to the trunk, where Davis used his phone flashlight as he grabbed his knife and backup sidearm from his rucksack. Checked the Sig, then slid it into a thigh holster he strapped into place. Made sure Fury's vest was secure and discreetly tucked a roped KONG into his side pocket.

The lug was crazy for his KONG. Better to keep it out of sight, even though he knew Fury could smell it.

Chapel approached Davis. "As of today, you and Fury are officially part of the team until I decide your services are no longer required. Copy?"

"Copy." Davis nodded his understanding of the legal hoops that required his acceptance.

Chapel turned to the team. "All right, listen up."

Macklin handed off gear and an M4 to Davis, which he quickly donned while Chapel laid out the plan. Tucked the comms piece in his ear and adjusted the strap on his helmet. Slid extra mags into his vest loops.

"Eagle's in the sky," Chapel started, referencing the name of their drone.

Davis knew the one. It was operated by Sgt Lennon Blanchard, the team's intelligence specialist and unmanned aircraft systems operator. She'd be perched somewhere offsite running surveillance for the team.

"Exterior looks clear. Multiple unfriendlies inside," Chapel continued. "Eagle has eyes on at least two hostages through an opening on the third floor."

"Germaine?" Hale questioned.

"Unknown. Our primary objective is to confirm or deny. If it's him—only way he leaves alive is under our control." Chapel eyed the team. "Secondary is to secure the hostages."

Davis didn't miss Hollyn's gasp.

She met his gaze, fear all over her face. "I have friends in there!" she hissed. "Aren't they the whole point of this?"

They weren't, but he didn't have time to explain.

"Glace, Nazari, Bennion. Gain topside infil via the building on the two side." Chapel rested one hand on the butt of his M4. "Nix, Cage, Ledger, Fury on me through blue two entry. You." He pointed to Hollyn, whose eyes went wide. "Like white on rice with Ledger—got it? No matter what. Obey that and you'll come out alive. Copy?"

Face scratched with both irritation and awareness of what she'd gotten herself into, Hollyn nodded mutely.

Chapel's brow darkened, that alone demanding a verbal acknowledgement.

Every eye swung her way.

"Play the game, win the prize," Benn muttered under his breath.

Though Davis felt for her, saw how much she felt out of her depth, it was important she was instilled with a healthy respect for what was about to go down. She was stronger than she knew, but a little fear would go a long way in keeping her alive.

"Yes, uh, sir. I copy." Hollyn sounded far from confident.

"Get her geared up," Chapel barked, then went back to the map.

Having slid his M4 behind him, Davis squatted next to her and strapped his sheathed Big Brother KA-BAR to her leg. The nine-inch blade with top edge serration was his go-to pick for hand-to-hand. Wasn't a gun, but he wasn't giving her one of those without any training under her belt.

Beneath his hands, he could feel her trembling. "Don't worry, we've got you."

Excited, Fury nuzzled his ear, trying to get him to stand and get the show on the road.

Davis shouldered the RMWD back. "Give me a sec." He stood, then helped Hollyn into her ballistic vest. Fastened it tight and prayed she wouldn't need it. Lastly, he palmed the top of her brain bowl to make sure her helmet was good to go. "Hey," he whispered.

Her eyes lifted to his, full of anxiety as she clung to her vest.

"You've got this." He winked encouragement.

For a minute, the tight creases in her forehead slackened and the trepidation in her eyes fell away. "Right," she breathed. Her gaze dropped to his lips.

Holy mother. The woman had no idea how effortlessly she could bring him to his knees.

Chapel keyed his mic. "Blank, how copy?"

"Lima Charlie," came Blanchard's reply through the comms. "Green light."

"Here we go," Davis spoke low to Hollyn.

"I'm going to be sick," she whispered.

Davis took her hand. Guided it to his belt. "Deep breaths and stay close." He nodded to Fury.

The mutt snapped his jowls closed. Tilted his head.

"Don't let go." Davis spoke low.

"No chance of that," Hollyn breathed.

Please, keep her safe.

Chapel swung a finger in the air. "Move out."

Bennion, Glace, and Nazari led the team along the rear alley that paralleled the street. They broke off at the second building and slipped through the back door while Chapel led the rest of them to the next vacant structure mere feet away. Davis's body went tense, and he strained to hear any sound out of place as they hurried through the darkness.

M4 up, Davis stayed alert at the back of the group. Bringing up the rear wasn't his usual place, but with Hollyn here, it was safest for the team to use themselves as potential shields. Fury heeled tight on his nine. Hand on his belt, Hollyn shadowed his five. Crowded his elbow a little, but at least he knew where she was.

The concrete path between the buildings was barely wide enough for two men to walk down shoulder to shoulder. That worked well, seeing as how Bennion and his team would have to jump across from one roof to the other.

They kept their steps light so they didn't draw attention should anyone be near the windows or gaping holes where glass had never been installed. A low din from nearby Reem Island filled the air along with the continuous thwapping of plastic in the breeze. Whole place looked like some kind of creepy dystopian nightmare.

Silently, they hurried to a side door. Hollyn moved with surprising stealth, hand never leaving his belt.

Chapel paused a few feet from the door. Keyed his mic. "Send the dog."

"Fury," Davis spoke low. "Seek-seek."

It was all the encouragement the RMWD needed. He clamped his jaw closed. Dropped his nose to the concrete and got to work. Sucked in round after round of deep, guttural breaths. Zigzagged as he searched the area near the door. Ears swiveling, tail high, he nosed the gaps with interest. Didn't alert, but he paused. Pawed. Paced side to side like he wanted to get in.

Davis tapped his leg twice to recall Fury. Keyed his mic. "Clear."

Chapel opened the door. Hale stalked in, swung left. Macklin followed and went right.

All good.

Then they were moving again. Into the darkened building. Unlike the upper levels, the ground floor was mostly finished with boarded windows that let in next to no light. He flipped down his NVGs, clicked them on. Made sure the door closed quietly behind him. He squeezed Hollyn's hand, hoping she read the hint to keep clinging to him. In the pitch black, she wouldn't see much.

Not affected by the darkness, Fury heeled with well-practiced ease as they maneuvered down concrete hallways. Boots gritted over sand blown in over who knew how many months. This floor was empty, so they took the stairwell to the next. Davis stayed on Macklin's six as the team silently ascended the stairs.

The landshark cleared the door on the second-story landing, and Cage slowly tugged it open. The team filed inside. Moonlight broke up the darkness, streaking through gaps left for windows.

Keeping his breathing steady, Davis stalked through the building and scanned for threats. Beside him, Hollyn's breaths were slightly labored, but she continued to keep pace with him. Why hadn't they come upon anyone yet? If Germaine were here, he wouldn't be alone. But the place seemed empty.

Sheets of wind-shredded plastic hung from the ceilings, essentially creating opaque walls. They whipped and snapped in the breeze.

Every muscle in Davis's body was on high alert. The dull ache in his shoulder was morphing into sharp pain, but he shoved away the distraction. Refused to give in to it as they searched the second floor.

No pain, no gain, right?

They followed Chapel into a secondary interior stairwell on the three side. Poured up the steps using their NVGs to see the way once more. He kept his ears trained on Fury for the slightest sign that something was off. Wasn't making that mistake again.

When Chapel held up a fist at the third-floor landing, they all paused. Didn't hear a single sound on the other side. "Where are they, Blank?" Chapel was more than miffed right now.

Fury finished sniffing the door and they filtered out. Flipped up their NVGs. Plenty of moonlight filtered in through open gaps in the outer walls. But other than some stacks of cement bags, mixers, tools, and a free-standing TV, screen blank, the space was empty.

Frustration tightened through him—another vacant floor. What was going on?

Chapel shook his head and keyed his mic. "Damocles, sitrep?"

Reports rifled off from the rest of the team—all clear.

"Blank," Chapel barked into his mic, "what the heck's going on? It's empty!"

"Negative," Blanchard's reply came over the comms. "They were there!"

"Entering from the north," Benn subvocalized a minute before a door swung open. As he and the others crossed the room, the bulky operator held up a hand in a quick What's going on? motion.

Chapel glowered as he scanned the room. "Blank, if you plan on having a job tomorrow?—"

"I'm looking," came Blanchard's tight reply.

"Look faster."

Fury sniffed the area around them, and Davis kept track of the RMWD's body language. Still no alerts. That was good. He wasn't exactly interested in blowing up today.

Hollyn looked to him without a word.

Light suddenly splashed across her face as the TV screen blinked to life. Weapons snapped toward the screens as Davis and the team turned to the monitor.

Onscreen, Germaine stood next to Archie in one half of the split-screen image. Twerp was gagged and bound to a chair. On the other half, Leila sat, also restrained but obviously in a different room than the other men. The walls behind her were tan, not grey, and almost appeared cushioned. Left eye swollen shut, the other lacerated, she flashed a panic-filled look at the armed guard standing next to her. Her injured face and bloodied shirt betrayed the roughing-up she'd endured.

Give Davis two minutes with Germaine. Guy wouldn't be able to harm anyone ever again.

"Ah," Germaine crooned. "Look who finally showed up. The odd squad." His posture was relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world.

"Blank," Chapel subvocalized. "Locate the feed's source."

"On it."

Davis studied the backgrounds of both video feeds. Couldn't distinguish much behind Twerp and Germaine—they were too close to the camera.

"Let's get down to business," Germaine started. "All right, Hollyn?"

Davis gritted his teeth and felt Hollyn clinging to the side of his vest.

"I know you're close with your friends. Don't make me do something permanent." Germaine lifted a hand, and the guard next to Leila jerked forward. Jammed his gun into the side of the woman's head. She yelped, chest rising and falling erratically. "Just tell me where the blueprints are, Sparrow, and everyone here walks out alive."

Davis didn't miss Hollyn's gasp. Adjusting his grip on the M4, he waited for Chapel's orders.

"I'm not a patient man. You have ten seconds before he pulls the trigger."

"Wait!" Hollyn shouted, thick tremors in her voice. "I-I don't know what blueprints you're looking for."

"Shut her up!" Chapel hissed via the comms.

Davis leaned toward her. "Don't engage."

"But he's going to kill her!" Her strangled whisper dug a figurative knife into his chest.

Germaine kept counting.

"Please!" Hollyn yelled when Germaine continued the countdown. "I don't know what?—"

"Seven, six . . . "

"Blank. Give me the source of that feed. Now," Chapel demanded without drawing Germaine's attention.

Leila shook as she violently tried to break free of her bonds. She yelled something around her gag.

"Four." Germaine grinned. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Not good.

"Blank!" Chapel barked.

"Sorry! Almost . . . "

Leila looked to the camera. Cried out.

"Two-one," Germaine finished as one word.

Crack!

A curse rattled through Davis. He tucked his M4 in tighter against his shoulder.

"No!" Hollyn screamed as her friend jerked and slumped forward. "No, no!" She dropped to her knees, sobbing.

Fury barked several times, feeding off the energy in the room.

"Blank, you're about to be unemployed."

"The signal's jammed! I can't get a lock on it."

"Have to be close to jam us," Davis muttered into his mic.

With a sharp nod, Chapel aimed at the screens.

Crack! Crack!

Glass shattered and rained down on the concrete floor.

"Move," Chapel ordered. "They're here somewhere. Two-man bounding formation." He quickly named pairs. "Find them!"

Davis spun. Grabbed Hollyn and hauled her to her feet. "Come on." He made her grab the side of his vest. Tapped his leg to recall Fury. "Seek-seek."

Fury immediately began their hunt. As they advanced, Davis could feel Hollyn shaking.

Hang in there, Hol. We'll get you out of this in one piece.

Germaine wasn't going to end up on the winning side tonight.