Chapter 43

43

Abe gripped the wheel as he sped down winding roads flanked by ancient hedgerows en route to Korolov’s mansion. They had cut the helicopter ride from London short for this final, low-profile approach, ensuring stealth as they raced through the dark countryside. Leo was now holding a waiting position with the helicopter, ready for extraction when they had Freya safely back with them.

Einar had spilled everything, saving them time in locating where Korolov had run to ground. Korolov had properties in London and another in the Scottish Highlands, but he had taken Freya to his Herefordshire estate.

Zak looked up from the screen in the back of the SUV, His eyes gleaming under the dim interior light. “Luton Air control confirms a private helicopter registered to Korolov Industries left two hours ago. Flight plan was for Korolov’s Hereford estate.”

“Right where we want them.” Fox ground his gloved fist into his palm, the leather squeaking. Moonlight flashed through the trees, catching on his silvered beard.

Abe had been here countless times—ink-dark nights, perilous missions, adrenaline firing through him as he stood shoulder to shoulder with his team, his found family.

But this was different. He wasn’t the man he’d been only a few short days ago. Freya had changed him, brought light into the dark spaces he’d long ignored. There was no going back to the man he’d been. After Mariam, he’d sworn off opening his heart. Love and duty seemed incompatible.

But Freya had shown him it didn’t have to be all or nothing. He had seen so much darkness in his life, but without the darkness, there couldn’t be light. Freya was his light. He was finished hiding and protecting himself out of fear.

This time, he chose love.

Zak’s voice snapped him back. “Satellite imagery mapped out the estate.” The tablet cast a blue glow over his face. “The River Lea cuts right through the property. Korolov owns the fishing rights and enforces them like a medieval lord—guy’s gotten into scraps with locals over who so much as skips a stone.”

Fox smirked, tapping the doorframe with the hilt of his knife. “Shame he’s not here to discuss.”

“Security is high end, but every system’s got a weak spot.” Zak leaned forward between the front seats. “And Korolov’s about to discover his.”

“Doing the guy a favor, really.” Fox sheathed his knife. “Highlighting his vulnerabilities for him. Real generous of us.”

“There are underwater sensors throughout the river,” Zak continued. “That’s why he won’t let anyone fish anywhere near his property—wouldn’t want someone tripping his alarms with a wayward rod.”

“Only moderately paranoid.” The wheel was damp under Abe’s hands.

“Understatement of the year.” Fox gave a soft grunt. “But paranoid’s got nothing on us.” His teeth flashed white in the gloom.

“Disabling his security system outright will trip every alarm and call in his goons. So…” Zak clucked his tongue. “I can force a temporary switch from main power to back up generators, which will give us a temporary window to slip in.”

“We can’t have any mistakes.” We can’t fuck this up.

Fox’s eyes met his, granite-hard. “Good thing we won’t, then.” He unfolded an old-school paper map he’d pulled from his pocket, tracing the river with his finger.

A snort came from the rear seat. “Where’d you dig up that relic?”

“From the museum of ‘doesn’t run out of battery mid-fucking-op.’” Fox’s lip curled as he traced their route. “We’ll enter upstream, out of sight. Once we’re in the water, the DPVs will take us to the security perimeter—right under Korolov’s nose. When Zak switches the power, we’ll bypass the underwater sensors to gain access to the estate. The sensors will reactivate once we’re past them, nice and clean.”

The SUV whipped past a discrete sign for the estate. Close now.

“The river runs past the rear of the house, outside the walled garden, which gets us in.” Fox stabbed a finger against his map. “But assuming all goes as planned, we won’t swim out with Freya. Leo’s on standby with the chopper for a quick pickup and Zak’s cooking up additional distraction in a police car.”

“And if it all goes sideways?” There had to be a fallback.

“Then we get wet. Again. Downstream exit confirmed.” Fox folded up his map with a flick.

Sounded simple.

If only.

Abe eased off the gas and pulled off the road. He brought the SUV to a halt under the cover of an ancient oak and wound down the window. Cool night air drifted in, laced with the earthy scent of decaying leaves. Somewhere nearby, a lone fox howled her pain at the night. You and me sister.

It was only a short walk from here to the river.

“Mother Nature’s on our side.” Out of the vehicle, Abe studied the murky sky. “Less visibility, more cover. We’ll be shadows out there.”

Fox materialized as Abe opened the rear door. Zak had transformed the trunk into an arsenal of cutting-edge gear—everything they needed to bring Freya home.

Ice diminished the heat in his veins. The clarity before the storm. His team had pulled off the impossible before. They would do it again.

Zak hefted one of the Diver Propulsion Vehicles, cradling it like a newborn. “MI6’s finest. Try not to use them as battering rams this time.”

“That was one time. And technically, it was more of a gentle nudge,” Fox deadpanned.

Abe checked the tracker on his wrist. Still dark and silent. Soon, Duchess.

“You know we’re bringing her home.” Fox squared his shoulders against the night, adjusting the zip on his dry suit. “Korolov doesn’t get a vote on that.”

Abe nodded, steel threading through his spine. His team was the best—and Korolov was about to find that out the hard way. “Time to show him how charming we can be.”