Chapter 25

Before leaving Slate's apartment, Hunter pulled Rex aside. With a few words he brought the young prospect up to date with the details of their imminent mission to rescue Aubrey. Once he was sure Rex understood what their task entailed, he called Brick. Their President agreed to call off the search and send the men to Hunter's home. He would head into the hospital.

The drive was a silent, contemplative journey across Seattle. The city lights blurred past as they transitioned from the dense urban core to the more secluded, opulent neighborhood that Hunter called home. As they entered the area, characterized by sprawling plots and privacy that the city's core lacked, Rex let out a low whistle, his eyes widening at the sight of Hunter's well-appointed residence nestled behind a discreetly elegant gate.

"And you accuse me of making too much money," Rex joked, giving Hunter a playful jab to lighten the mood.

"Huh?" Hunter, momentarily pulled from his thoughts, glanced over and struggled to understand what Rex was saying. "Oh, right." He shrugged, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "Skilled programmers are paid well. Plus, I've had some lucky breaks." His tone was nonchalant, but his mind was already racing ahead to the tasks that awaited them. He used his remote control to open the double garage doors and switched on the light.

Kevin, who Hunter instantly recognized as he man from the performance stage during his first visit to Thorns & Roses, arrived, followed by Hunter's ECO brothers, and the space transformed into a makeshift command center. Maps sprawled across the hood of a car, annotated with scribbles and various markers.

Minutes later, five strangers, who looked every bit as serious and combat-ready as the situation demanded, filed from three cars. All had the same straight backs, alert gazes, and strong physiques as Kevin.

"Here's what we know," Hunter started, pointing to the highlighted areas on the map where Slate's previous movements had clustered. "Rex's video caught some key details in the background—street signs, unique graffiti—it helped us pin down likely locations."

Kevin nodded, his fingers tracing routes on the map. "We'll split into three teams. Alpha will hit the main entrance here," he tapped vigorously, "while Bravo provides overwatch from this point." Pointing to another spot, he continued, "Charly here. Stealth is key until we make entry."

One of the veterans, a wiry man with sharp eyes, chimed in, "I've arranged for night-vision gear and silent entry tools. We can't afford any alarms tipping them off."

Hunter, while listening, folded his arms, feeling the weight of responsibility press down on him. Every decision could mean life or death, not just for his team but for Aubrey and the others held inside.

In his home office, Ethan was the nerve center of the operation, surrounded by the technological lifeline of his rescue mission. The room buzzed with the low hum of his desktop and the intermittent chirps from his mobile phone on the desk. His laptop screen was alive with CCTV footage, his fingers adeptly navigating between different camera feeds and security angles. The landline was pressed to his ear, creating a direct line to Dani, while text messages occasionally lit up his mobile screen, each alert tightening the tension in the room.

Ethan pushed back his shoulders. "Dani, what's the status?" His voice was calm, yet assertive as he focused on the dual monitors, one displaying a detailed map, the other filled with communications and logistics updates.

"I've got eyes on the police communications." Dani's voice crackled through the speaker. "Brock's FBI contacts are in position. They're making sure the local precinct is in the dark until we've secured the site."

"Good." Ethan's heart kicked against his chest, a rush of adrenaline sharpening his focus. "Give me a second, I'm patching this through to Hunter." He quickly switched devices, dialing Hunter on his mobile. The line crackled, and then Hunter's steady breathing filled his ear.

"Hey. FBI is at the precinct. You're good to go."

"Perfect, thanks for the heads-up. We're ready here. Heading to the warehouse soon," Hunter responded.

"Copy that. Stay sharp and good luck," Ethan replied. His chest was heavy with concern and pride. He ended the call, a wave of restless energy urging him to pace, but he remained anchored by the array of screens.

Switching back to Dani, his tone was resolute, driven by the dual forces of duty and deep-seated affection for Hunter. "Keep the line open, Dani. Any sign of trouble or interference, you let me know immediately. They're moving in now."

"Will do, Ethan. We've got this covered," Dani assured him.

Ethan leaned back, allowing himself a moment to absorb the gravity of the situation. His fingers paused over the keyboard, his eyes scanning the screens that displayed the moving parts of their carefully laid plans.

For the hundredth time in the past hour, he wished he was with Hunter out there in the field.

As he waited, a mix of scenarios played out before his mind's eye. So much could go wrong, but he knew it was no use borrowing trouble.

He had to trust Hunter and rely on Kevin and his buddies to keep him safe.

Despite himself, Ethan rose pacing around his desk as far as the landline allowed him, driven by a relentless determination to see this through—not just for justice, but for the man he loved, fighting on the front lines.