Chapter 26

As they approached the secluded warehouse in the industrial outskirts of Seattle, the urban sprawl gave way to deserted streets lined with derelict buildings. Their target loomed ahead, a shadowy structure veiled under the cover of darkness, its decrepit state masked by the night. The warehouse stood silent and seemingly abandoned.

Wearing night vision goggles for the first time, Hunter felt an odd mixture of awe and discomfort. The world through the green-hued lenses was eerily vivid, every detail of the crumbling facade and scattered debris starkly visible. Although the technology provided him an unparalleled view in the darkness, the goggles pressed uncomfortably against his face, heavier and more constricting than any motorcycle helmet he'd ever worn.

Each step toward the warehouse ramped up the tension within him, a tightrope-walk between anticipation and apprehension. His palms were sweaty, his fingers intermittently clenching and unclenching as if trying to grasp the intangible threads of hope and fear woven through the night's objectives. His heart thudded loudly. He was eager for the rescue, yet dreading the unknown perils that lay ahead.

Hunter moved with deliberate steps, as did the other men, avoiding debris and trying to walk as soundlessly as possible. His body was taut with the strain of suppressed anxiety. The crisp night air did little to cool his heated skin or ease the flutter of nerves in his stomach.

Kevin, leading the way, raised his fist in a silent command. They all stopped, blending into the shadows as if they were part of the dark tapestry itself. The momentary stillness allowed Hunter to collect himself, his breathing deep and measured beneath the mask of technology strapped to his head.

With a signal from Kevin, they resumed their advance. Hunter's focus narrowed, his senses sharpened by the looming threat and promise of the mission.

Steeling himself, Hunter prepared for what lay beyond the threshold. This operation could mean freedom for those held inside, or it could spiral into disaster. Either way, he was committed, driven by a resolve as unyielding as the night was dark. Hunter's heart hammered against his ribcage, the rush of adrenaline sharpening his focus as they edged closer to the building.

The darkness enveloped the team as they drew closer to the building. Only the distant echoes of urban life punctuated the silence. The familiar weight of adrenaline surged through his veins as he navigated the terrain.

Ahead, a figure emerged. Another signal from Kevin halted their advance. Hunter struggled to slow his breathing.

The guard's silhouette marked by a confident strut that seemed almost out of place in the desolate surroundings. His boots tapped a steady rhythm on the concrete. The sound was overly loud in the quiet of the night. Hunter's hands clenched at his sides. As he watched the guard move with an air of arrogance, a deep-seated hatred simmered within him. This man's swagger spoke of someone who knew exactly the horrors he stood guard over and took pride in his role.

Just as the guard was about to turn the corner, Thomas—a former Navy SEAL and a buddy of Kevin—stepped from the darkness. His movements were fluid, practiced, and silent. On silent feet, he reached the guard and swept out his arm in an effective takedown. The guard crumpled and Thomas caught him beneath his arms before he hit the ground, before dragging him into the shadows.

Hunter watched, awe mingling with a fierce pride. It was like watching an artist at work. For a moment, his worries ebbed away.

The warehouse loomed ahead, its large metal door a barrier to what lay within. Hunter's gaze shifted to Max, who stepped forward with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what to do. Max's hands were skilled from years of necessity, his street-smart upbringing turning him into a master of silent entries. With a deft touch, he manipulated the lock. There was a soft click, barely audible, and the door swung open on creaking hinges.

Hunter held his breath; the sound had been like a shotgun in the silence. When nothing happened for seconds, they moved forward and went inside.

Inside the shadowy interior, Kevin approached. He moved with purpose, his voice low and soft and with a calm authority that settled Hunter's nerves and reminded him of Ethan.

"Go left with Thomas and check the doors on your right side," Kevin instructed. "Max and Antoine will take the left. Pull your weapon. Do not shoot unless you have no choice. Stay low." His orders left no room for doubt or hesitation.

Hunter nodded and pulled the gun from his pocket. The cool metal of his weapon was a reassuring weight.

He waited as Kevin continued, "The rest of us will take the right corridor. Stay safe."

"You too," Hunter replied, his voice just as subdued.

As they split into their groups, Hunter's steps were cautious, his senses heightened to every sound and shadow.

The air was heavy, filled with the must of decay and mildew. Hunter's team moved like ghosts, room to room.

In the second room, they found a terrified naked woman bent over the bed. A man —cargo pants around his ankles—was slamming into her from behind. Her sobs and pleas were muffled by a gag.

Hunter's stomach lurched as he took in the scene. The woman on the bed was trembling, her eyes wide with fear. The man behind her didn't even see Thomas coming. The butt of the rifle connected with his head with a sickening thud, and he collapsed onto her, unconscious.

Hunter moved to the woman's side. His hands were steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. He worked the gag free from her mouth and her sobs turned into gasps for air. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, they were having an entire conversation without saying a word. She was pale, and her body shook, but there was spark of determination in her gaze.

Thomas returned with a bundle of clothes. They were dirty and torn, but the woman grabbed them with a nod of thanks. Hunter held her arm as she dressed, his eyes never leaving hers. When she was done, she looked up at him, her chin lifted.

"Thank you," she said, her voice husky but steady.

A wave of admiration washed over him. This woman, despite everything, was strong.

"Where are the others?" Thomas asked

"In the basement," she replied. "Let me show you."

Confined to his apartment, Ethan paced a hole in the floor.His shoulders were hunched as if expecting a blow.

His eyes darted to the clock on the wall every few minutes, but the hands seemed to barely move. Darkness had settled over Seattle and his eyes were bleary from watching CCTV footage.

Mumbling half-formed thoughts under his breath, his mind looped back to the last time he heard from Hunter. Every scenario, good and bad, played out in his head, making his stomach twist with each step.

His hands kept finding their way into his pockets, then out again, as if unsure where they should be.

He almost stumbled over his own feet when his landline rang, and he lunged for the phone with more haste than grace.

Dani is rubbing off on me , he thought cynically.

He answered without his name. "I want good news."

"I have some." Dani sounded a bit out of breath. "The captain has been arrested and he's talking."

Ethan's entire body seemed to jolt awake. Warmth surged through him; his heart pounded so hard he could hear it. A rush of energy coursed through his system—a sensation of being incredibly alive. His thoughts scattered, too excited to focus on anything specific. He gripped the phone tighter, a grin breaking out despite himself.

Belatedly he realized Dani had been speaking to him.

"I'm sorry. I missed that. Can you repeat?" he managed to say, his voice trembling with the effort to stay calm.

"The captain wasn't in it for personal gain. They got his wife and daughter."

"Fuck me." Ethan sank into his desk chair. He ran a hand over his face, trying to process the information. "That's the same way they got the Sergeant at Arms from the ECOs involved. Not with his wife or daughter, but his baby sister."

"Yeah." Dani sighed. "Let's hope Hunter's team is successful in releasing them."

"They will be." Ethan's words came out with a steely resolve. He straightened in his chair, his back stiffening and his jaw setting in determination. He could feel his muscles tensing, readying himself for the next steps. "They have to."

Beneath his brave words, the worry lingered. Ethan's eyes flicked to the clock again, and he rubbed his temples, trying to push the anxiety away.

"The captain also explained the accusations against you are bogus. Internal Affairs are on their way to take off your ankle bracelet. Ethan, your charges have been revoked, and so has your house arrest."

For a moment, Ethan absorbed the information. Elation surged through him. A grin spread across his face, too wide to contain. His heart raced, a drumming beat that echoed in his chest. He felt warmth radiate through his body, his skin tingling with excitement.

"Yesss," he hissed under his breath. He felt rejuvenated, every nerve buzzing with adrenaline.

Ethan could barely think straight, his thoughts scattering in the whirlwind of emotion. He wanted to run, to jump, to hug everyone who had helped him get to this moment.

As the tension left his body, his muscles trembled with the release.

The knock at the door jolted him and he told Dani, "They're here." Ending the call, he sprang up and rushed to open the door.

He didn't care about anything but the freedom he was about to reclaim. As the officers moved to remove the ankle bracelet, he held still, trembling with anticipation.

When the bracelet finally clicked open and fell away, Ethan felt like he could fly, his entire being soaring with the exhilaration of the moment. The only thing that would make him happier was hearing back from Hunter. He needed to know his lover was safe!