“I don’t know. He says you told him to come here,” she said, faltering.
“Hang up the phone,” the man shouted. “Did you hear me, Paul. You got one hour, and then I’ll start shooting.”
“Tell him I heard him. Hang tight. You won’t see us, but we’re coming,” he assured her before the line went dead. “Shit.”
“Cole’s bringing down Apollo for you. Whiskey’s approaching the back of the house now,” Leo informed him, handing him an earpiece. “Saint and Knight will come up on the East side, while Shadow and Taco take the West. Ragu’s scaling the house and trying to get into the second story. You’ll go in with your K-9 and pretend to deliver the drugs,” Leo said, passing him a diaper bag full of empty bottles, a couple jars of baby food, and diapers.
“Really?” Liam said, holding up the bag.
“It’s the best we got on such short notice. Patch is on standby, and Doc and Kassie are waiting at the hospital. Bear’s running a search on his name and voice,” Leo said logically. “I’ll cover you from the front and get Addyson out while you take him down.”
Liam nodded as he put the earpiece in and listened as the team coordinated their attack and checked in with one another.
“Liam, you’ll need to wait a bit before barging in. He’s not expecting you this fast. I see Addyson,” Taco said. “She’s holding her left arm, and I see some blood, but nothing serious. Addyson’s holding her own.”
“I’m here with Apollo. We’ll meet you on the East side of the house,” Cole informed him.
“I have eyes on Addyson,” Whiskey reported. “She’s talking him down and offering him food. The cut’s a wee one. Don’t go in half-cocked,” he instructed.
Liam swallowed. He officially started yesterday, but the team already proved they’d have his six.
“Affirmative,” he said, feeling the need to say something. Leo parked the truck with the lights off and handed him a weapon.
“Bear, notify the police and let them know we have a hostage situation and need to act fast. They’ll need to come with their sirens off and make them aware we have one intruder, one hostage we know of, and the team’s on site,” Leo said calmly as they jogged toward the East side of the house.
Liam heard Zeus barking nonstop. “Damn it, buddy. It’s not the right time to start barking,” he said under his breath while he took Apollo from Cole.
“Start heading toward the front. Addyson’s dog won’t stop barking,” Whiskey said.
“He’s got me pinned.” Ragu broke through. “He’s mad and growling, what do I do?”
A gun fired, and Ragu knocked over a lamp. “Breach, the fucker’s shooting through the ceiling.” A second shot rang out and the dog whimpered loudly.
Liam and Leo burst through the door and Liam ordered Apollo to attack.
The K-9 leaped into the air and landed near the druggie holding a gun. Before he managed to lift it toward the K-9, Apollo bit his leg and dragged him.
“Help, help,” Benny screamed, while Liam grabbed his gun and ordered Apollo to release. Taco flipped the drug addict on his stomach, securing him.
“We need the vet, call Doc’s godfather, Jake,” Ragu said into the coms.
“Zeus, Zeus,” Addy called, running up the stairs. Leo jerked his head, telling Liam to follow while Cole secured Apollo.
He watched as she fell to her knees and held the poor dog’s head.
“My poor baby,” she cried. “You’re only protecting me.”
Zeus licked her hand and whined.
“Don’t worry, Addyson. Jake’s a great vet. He’ll have him fixed in no time. The wound doesn’t appear too deep,” Ragu assured her.
“How can you tell?” she sniffed. “There’s blood all over you.”
Her eyes widened as she jumped up and ran to her desk, grabbing a pair of scissors. Ragu weaved in place as she cut his pants.
“Liam, I need your belt. Ragu, sit down in the chair behind you,” she instructed.
“Honestly, I feel fine,” Ragu insisted. “It’s the dog’s blood.”
