“Hawk needs this information immediately.”
Mattis lets out a humorless laugh. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for the last fifteen minutes.”
“You spent the first five sounding like a raccoon trapped in a vending machine.”
“Fair.”
Gunnar stands. “If the DEA is compromised?—”
“We don’t know that yet,” I cut in sharply.
But even as I say the words, I don’t fully believe them. My gut tells me Mattis has only unearthed the tip of the iceberg.
The crackle of my comms on the nightstand drags me violently out of my sleep, years of conditioning instantly clicking into place. Trying not to disturb Mackenzi, who is sleeping soundly nuzzled under my arm, I reach blindly for the nightstand before my eyes have adjusted to the dark room.
My pulse accelerates as I shove the earpiece into place. Static hisses for a second before, “Perimeter breach,” an unfamiliar, and very panicked, man gasps. “Perimeter breach. Perimeter breach?—”
Every muscle in my body tenses at once, and adrenaline detonates through my bloodstream so fast, it’s almost nauseating.
Beside me, Mackenzi stirs against the mattress, making a soft grumble of confusion as I throw the blankets back. “Mackenzi,” I bark roughly, throwing my legs over the side of the bed. “Trouble, you need to get up.”
She groans quietly, still half asleep. “What?”
I’m off the bed before she finishes the word, ensuring her room is secure as I fumble to find yesterday’s pants on the floor.
“I’m not fucking playing,” I snap with a harsher tone. “Get up.”
I hear the acceleration of her breathing before I even turn to look at her, the gruffness of my tone getting her attention. When I do, she’s pushing upright in bed, sleep giving way to alarm with fear flickering across her face.
Good, because right now Iwanther afraid. Fear keeps people alive.
“What happened?” she whispers.
Another burst of static crackles through the comms, and outside, muffled shouting erupts, followed quickly by a gunshot. It’s close enough to reverberate through the house.Too fucking close.Mackenzi flinches violently as a second one rings out.
Fuck.
I cross the room in two strides, grabbing my shirt off the floor before crouching in front of her. My movements are fast and efficient. “Arms up.”
She obeys instantly, trembling as I yank the shirt over her head. Her eyes are wide and filled with terror.I hate every second of this.My hands catch briefly on her waist as I tug the shirt over her thighs, and I hold her for a second before forcing my focus to where it belongs.
Protect her.
At all costs.
I pull the earpiece from the nightstand and place it carefully into her shaking hand.
“Put this in.” Unfamiliar with the equipment, she fumbles slightly, and I help her put it into her ear, ensuring it’s in place. I switch channels quickly, isolating us on a private frequency before gripping her gently but firmly by the back of the neck. “Listen to me very carefully. I need you to do exactly as I say. Understand.”
Her breathing becomes even more uneven as she nods her response.
I guide her quickly across the bedroom to the walk-in closet, shoving her clothes aside to make room for her in the back corner.
“I need you to stay right here, in this spot. No matter what you hear.”
“Damon—”
“Now, Mackenzi,” I bark, and she obeys immediately, dropping to the floor and curling her knees up to her chest.
