Chapter 52

Apple moved silently, avoiding branches on the ground to get closer to the cabin. There was a window with open curtains. It would be best if they had better equipment, and if this operation was being run in the middle of the night.

He hadn’t been on Nichole’s side, but the more he got to know her, the more he realized she wouldn’t turn on them. If she found something concerning, she would bring it to Jay’s attention. She wouldn’t try to destroy the guys on Jay’s team or the Navy.

The mistake he’d made picking Tara over Amelia still haunted him. Amelia hadn’t wanted to get too serious, and he’d thought he was ready for a commitment. How stupid had he been?

He’d dumped Amelia and fallen for Tara’s lies. She’d convinced him that she was in love. The whirlwind that was their relationship had taken over his life, and he hadn’t paid enough attention.

He wondered how different his life would have been if he’d told Amelia that he could give her time, that he liked the idea of slow. He shook off the memory of his past and moved closer to the cabin, trying to look in the window so he could relay what he saw.

They were going to go in before the cops got there, that much he knew. The police wouldn’t do what had to be done. They had rules they had to follow. Whereas, if one of these men accidentally tripped and ended up slamming their head against the bricks, then that was the price of taking one of theirs.

“What do you see?” Griz asked.

They were using their cell phones to communicate. It wasn’t perfect, but it would work for now. He could see into the cabin, and he didn’t like what he saw. Anger slid down his spine. He was glad he had his Glock and that they had a few flash bangs.

“She’s on her knees. Two men.”

“We could rush in,” Griz said.

“No,” Squat said. “We don’t want to give them a reason to hurt her.”

Griz grunted. “Flash bang and then rush in.”

“We don’t have our usual equipment, though,” Shine reminded them.

Apple kept his gaze on the three inside the cabin. “This sucks.”

“We need to get in there,” Griz said.

“Wait.” Apple lost sight of one of the men. “One of them moved away from Nichole.” He watched as the other guy stepped away from Nichole. “Neither of them are next to her.”

“Maybe now?” Griz asked.

Apple was ready to move when the front door of the place opened, and one of the guys stepped out. He watched as Shine moved into action as soon as the door closed. Apple kept his attention on Nichole and the other guy inside. The man didn’t appear to have heard Shine take the other guy out.

“He’s back beside Nichole, kneeling next to her. He’s saying something that is making her shake.”

“I’m not holding back any longer.”

That was Jay. Apple worried that his friend would end up hurt. He couldn’t let that happen. Apple had to act before Jay barged in and ended up shot.