Technically, they had some of their issues covered. When it had become evident they were going to have to go ahead with Ellis’ idea, Jericho had called in her boss. Colt had to give Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Art Collins credit. He’d sat quietly listening. Adding a few suggestions—not once looking at Ellis as if she’d completely lost her mind. Had a death wish—then offered to help. Whatever the Marshal Service could do. Whatever resources were needed to catch McCormick in the act and bring him in.
That was crucial. Bringing the bastard in alive. Part of the equation Colt didn’t agree with because alive meant possible threat. And he’d been trained not to leave those around to bite him or his team in the ass, later.
But, it had been nonnegotiable. A requirement to get the Marshal Service on board. And they were integral in the final stages of the plan. If it got that far. Had dedicated forces to arrest McCormick and his men. They’d also offered to use their own drone to patrol the skies—keep any bogeys from raining missiles down on them. Ensure the transfer went as agreed.
Christ. This was insane. And if anyone was crazy, it was Colt for agreeing to this.
Four minutes to the exchange...
Cannon turned to face Ellis in the back, one arm over the edge of the seat. “You know how we all feel about this.”
It wasn’t a question, and Ellis merely nodded. She hadn’t said a word since leaving the safehouse. “It’s the only way.”
“There’s always another way, honey.”
Ellis looked out the windshield, staring at the emptiness just like Colt had been doing. “If we had more time, maybe. But every second Kam spends with that psychotic bastard, the more likely he is to hurt her. I know the risks. I can live with them.”
“But that’s the problem.” Colt met her gaze in the rearview because if he turned to face her—he’d pull her into his lap and tell Cannon to drive. “If any one thing goes wrong, you won’t be alive to regret this.”
“Then, we’ll have to make sure it all goes right.”
“Nothing ever goes exactly as planned, sweetheart. Murphy’s Law.”
“You think I don’t know that? That I want this? I never wanted any of this. I wanted y?—”
She swallowed, glancing away.
You.That’s what she was going to say.I wanted you.And Colt’s chest squeezed tight.
She took a deep breath. “I’ve spent the past five years executing missions far more dangerous than this. With men crueler than McCormick. Always wondering if this would be the one that killed me. If I’d somehow outed myself, or been outed. If the asset was faster than me. Or smarter. If maybe enough of me wanted to die this go ‘round, I might find a way to make it happen. So, don’t look at me as if I don’t understand the gravity of the situation. I do.”
He couldn’t stop from twisting in his seat, this time. Reaching for her hand. Ignoring the slight tremor. “Then, let us think of another solution.”
“It’s too late. Besides, I’ve got an ace up my sleeve.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “You. Cannon. The rest of the team. Never had a team I trusted before. Or one as skilled. I’ll put my faith in all of you.”
Three minutes to the exchange…
Screw faith. She was putting her life in their hands. And Colt was intimately aware that he couldn’t pay the price of failure. That he wouldn’t be able to pull himself back, this time, if he lost her, again.
Cannon nodded. “We’ve got your back, Ellis.”
Cannon tapped his mike, going through a variety of checks. Bishop on the top of a vacant warehouse to their left. Check. Rigs dressed as a vagrant against the pillars in front of them. Check. Midnight covering the entrance sector to their left—crouched down on the break wall. Check. Ice and Six positioned in the rear—watching for any kind of flanking forces. Double check.
They also had Addison and Blade searching for explosives in the adjoining buildings while Jericho covered the one street in and out with Art. Observing only. They had overhead visual via the drone and would track McCormick’s car back to his base—in theory.
McCormick wasn’t stupid. He knew the kinds of resources Colt might be able to get his hands on. No doubt that bastard knew everything about Colt and Cannon. Six and the others. So, McCormick might have a way to take the drone out of commission. Which meant everything rode of Ellis’ GPS trackers.
Two minutes to the exchange…
Cannon faced her, again. “Everyone’s in position. Remember. Don’t start walking?—”
“Until Kameron does. And don’t cross the center line between our vehicle and theirs until Kameron’s at the same spot. I need to keep out of everyone’s sight line, in case they have to take a shot. Then, I just wait for everyone to rescue me wherever it is they take me.”
“Bang on.”
Colt clenched his fists in his lap. “He might just shoot you. You know that, right?”
She gave him a reassuring smile that did nothing to ease the restless gnaw in his stomach. “He knows I won’t be alone. Opening fire would be a tactically poor decision, and McCormick doesn’t make many of those.”
