Chapter 23

It wasn’t fearthat squeezed the air out of Avery’s lungs. Okay, it was fear, but not the usual kind. The fear that choked her was about the future. About her current willingness to ignore the law in order to solve a case.

Was this the battle her dad fought? Follow rules or save lives?

The team surrounded her as they approached the back side of the Rain Bay warehouse, its dilapidated exterior barely visible in the oppressive darkness, but all Avery wanted to do was turn and run. The night air hung heavy and still, and the only sound was the soft crunch of gravel beneath the team’s boots. She tried to take a calming breath, but the unfamiliar tactical gear felt constricting, like a second skin that didn’t quite fit. Kate and Paige had insisted on the state-of-the-art outfit, but Avery couldn’t shake the feeling that she was an imposter playing dress-up.

Beside her, Mason moved with fluid precision, his dark form blending seamlessly into the shadows. He radiated a quiet intensity that simultaneously put Avery at ease and set her nerves on edge.

“You ready for this?” His whisper was barely audible, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

Avery swallowed hard, her mouth dry as sandpaper. She nodded, not trusting her voice to remain steady. The truth was, she felt woefully unprepared for what lay ahead.

What this one decision might cost her.

The entire team was outfitted in state-of-the-art black tactical gear, their clothing a mix of lightweight, breathable fabrics and reinforced panels designed to offer both mobility and protection. Each member wore night vision goggles and a built-in communication system, allowing them to stay in constant contact with one another. Their utility belts held an array of cutting-edge gadgets: compact flashlights, multipurpose tools, and small, high-powered cameras for gathering evidence. The only jarring note were the old-school headphones.

“Seriously, what’s with the retro headgear?” Avery whispered to Mason, eyeing the bulky headphones with skepticism.

Mason grinned, his teeth flashing white in the darkness. “Don’t knock the classics. Sometimes old-school is the way to go.”

Wow. The man even made dorky headgear cool.

Aside from the headphones, the advanced tech gear provided by the team was topnotch. She’d left her FBI identification and badge at the mansion, but not her Glock. The decision had been a tough one, but if it came down to needing to protect one of the team, she didn’t want to risk being un-armed. She wore a sleek, form-fitting black jumpsuit, its material designed to regulate body temperature and wick away moisture. Her hands were clad in thin, flexible gloves that allowed for maximum dexterity while still providing grip and protection. On her feet were black, lightweight tactical boots, their soles designed for silent movement and superior traction.

At their hips, each team member carried a handgun loaded with XREP electroshock non-lethal bullets. Her Glock carried the same rounds. These innovative rounds were designed to deliver a powerful, incapacitating electrical charge upon impact, effectively neutralizing targets. The weapons provided a crucial option for the team, allowing them to subdue any threats they might encounter within the warehouse without causing permanent injury or death.

Avery marveled at the cool composure of Mason and his team, their faces set with grim determination as they prepared to breach the building.

“Last chance to back out, Avery,” he told her, his voice a low rumble in her ear. “No one will think less of you if you do.”

Avery shook her head, her jaw set with determination. “Not a chance.”

He nodded, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. “Alright then. Let’s do this.”

As they neared the warehouse, she lifted a silent prayer, asking for protection and guidance. She was doing the right thing. Bringing Rain Bay to justice was worth the risk. But a small part of her feared what they might find inside, especially if it implicated Ryan in any wrongdoing.

“You okay?” Mason’s voice, low and concerned, cut through her thoughts.

She managed a tight smile. “Yeah, just … nervous, I guess.”

“You’d be stupid not to be. Trust the plan. Trust the team.”

“I do. It’s just … this is a big step, you know?”

“I know.” His eyes held a depth of understanding that made her heart flutter.

The team paused in the shadows, still on the far side of the fence, their earpieces crackling to life as Paul’s voice filled the channel. “This is Paul. I mean, uh, Delta Fox.” He quickly changed to the mission nickname Fenn had jokingly given him. “All clear on the perimeter,” he reported, his words tumbling out in an excited rush. “No signs of activity or––” A sudden clatter interrupted him, followed by a muffled curse. “Sorry, sorry,” he muttered, his voice sheepish. “Dropped the little ear thingy.”

Mason’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “Paul, focus,” he growled, his voice low and commanding. “No more distractions.”

Avery shot him a sympathetic look, understanding his frustration. Paul’s enthusiasm was endearing, but it could also be a liability in a high-stakes situation like this.

“Sorry, boss,” Paul replied, his tone chastened. “Won’t happen again.”

Mason sighed deeply.

Avery pointed at the far side of the building. “There goes the security sweep. Guards’ll be inside now until the top of the hour.”

The team huddled in the shadows, waiting for Tai to deploy his drones and have a look around from the air.

Avery curled her fingers around the cold metal of the chain-link fence, trying to keep herself in the moment. It was the best way she knew to make sure her senses, and her reaction times, stayed sharp.

“The exterior is clear,” Tai informed them, his attention on the monitor controlling his dark, silent drones.

With a nod from Mason, the team moved forward, their footsteps quiet on the pavement. Paige took the lead, the device clutched in her hand like a talisman. As they neared the door, she raised a fist, stopping them in their tracks, and fired up the machine. “Go, baby.”

Red lights flickered, changing to amber and finally a steady green. “Sound generation is working,” Paige told them over the comlink.

She pulled out the clone she’d made of Paul’s keycard. Untraceable back to him, the card would show an anonymous entry. An instant later she swiped the keycard across the lock, and the door clicked open with a soft beep. “We’re in.”

The sharp tang of rubber and machine oil filled Avery’s nostrils. The space was cavernous, the darkness broken only by the faint glow of emergency lights. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the gloom as she followed Mason and Paige deeper into the building.

The others peeled off, shadows slinking toward the outer edges of the warehouse. The plan was for Fenn, Tai, Graham and Kate to box in the four disoriented security guards at the back of the building, securing their arms and legs with zip ties while Mason guarded her and Paige as they tackled the computer in the office.

Their progress was slow and methodical, each step carefully placed to avoid making any noise. Every creak and groan of the old building set her nerves on edge. She could feel the tension radiating off the others, their bodies coiled like springs ready to snap.

“Hold up,” Tai warned over the comlink. “We’ve got two guards still in motion.”

Mason raised a fist to signal a stop.

She and Paige froze. Waiting.

After a moment, Tai came over the comlink again. “Nighty night. All four guards down.”

“Let’s keep moving,” Mason ordered.

As they approached the main office, Mason signaled for them to halt once more. He pulled a small screen from his vest and held it to the door.

“Heat detector,” Paige said. “He’s making sure the office is empty.”

“It’s clear.” Mason pocketed the device again. “How’re the guards looking?”

“All four zoning out. Just the way Paige said,” Tai announced. “Securing the cargo now.”

“They’re kinda cute when they’re buzzed,” Fenn added.

Mason pushed the door open.

Paige and Avery filed in behind him, handguns at the ready. But as Mason said, the office was empty, the only sound the hum of the computer monitors. Avery exhaled slowly, her shoulders sagging with relief as she tucked away her gun.

Mason took up a position by the door. “Ladies, you’re up.”

Paige headed straight for the older-model computer perched like a trophy on the desk in the center of the room. She moved quickly, her fingers flying over the keyboards as they worked to bypass the security systems and access the files. The progress bar inched forward, each second feeling like an eternity.

“Almost there,” Paige muttered, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Just need to crack this last firewall and …”

A sudden movement caught Avery’s eye. She whirled around, her hand reaching for her weapon. A security guard stood in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock and alarm, a pair of over-ear headphones around his neck.

“Don’t move!” Avery shouted, leveling her gun at the guard.

But he was already reaching for his radio, his finger fumbling for the button.

Mason reacted instantly, crossing the room in two long strides, and slamming the guard against the wall. The man’s head cracked against the plaster, his eyes rolling back as he slumped to the floor.

The telltale blare of an alarm rang through the building.

Mason growled into the comms, his face grim. “The guard hit the alarm before I could stop him. We’ve been made. Get out, now!”

“I need another ten seconds,” Paige protested, but Mason yanked her toward the door.

“No can do. Run.”