Miff zooms in.
Three men move. They stop and speak to random civilians, then drift toward a storefront. Another group mirrors the same movement across the block.
“They’re herding people,” Serenity says.
A slow smile tugs at my mouth. My furious wife is sharp.
“They’re pushing civilians into choke points,” I say. “Either waiting for us to fire first or setting up a grab.”
“Grab who?” Angel asks.
Serenity and I look at each other.
Her.
The answer sits between us without anyone saying it.
I curl my fingers into a fist. “Nobody touches my wife.”
Serenity’s nostrils flare. “I’m not helpless.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“Now’s not the time,” Ritchie grits out.
He’s right.
“We should wait until it’s dark,” Serenity adds.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “We wait until nightfall.”
Her brows lift. “You’re agreeing?”
“Yes, I’m not sending bullets through civilians because Aleksandr doesn’t care if innocent people are harmed.”
Miff nods. “We can contain them until then.”
“Do it,” I order. “Every exit watched. Every alley. Every rooftop. Underground access too. I want eyes on every one of Aleksandr’s men until dark.”
“What if they move first?” Kicks asks.
“We disable them. No kills unless they force our hand.”
Serenity crosses her arms. “And how exactly do you plan to disable them in the middle of civilians?”
I glance at Miff. “Smoke. Flash grenades. Tasers. Tranq darts.”
Miff grins. “We came prepared.”
Serenity turns to him. “You just carry tranq darts?” Miff shrugs. “I work for rich criminals with trust issues.”
Despite herself, Serenity’s lips twitch. That almost-smile hits me in the chest harder than any bullet could. I look away before Ido something stupid. Like touch her again. Like remind her that no matter how angry she is, her body still belongs to me.
I tap my earpiece. “All teams, listen up. No open gunfire unless fired upon. Civilians come first. Track and contain. We move after dark.”
“Yes, boss,” several voices answer.
Chapter Twenty-Two
