Brit would fight back, if for no other reason than to save her sister. She would risk her own life to ensure her sister could live hers. Then, her tiny pea baby popped into her thoughts. She couldn’t risk getting killed. If she died, so did her fetus.
I promise, I’ll keep us both alive.
33
THE RESCUE
Joaquin
Rebel pointed to the only lit building on the compound. The other five, smaller buildings sat cloaked in darkness.
As soon as Hawk was positioned over the drop zone, Rebel grabbed the rope and rappelled down. The cold wind made his eyes water even with his night vision goggles.
Hawk would join him as soon as he could land the bird. There was nowhere on the compound where he could set the Venom down, plus the roar of the engine would attract too much attention. Hard to be stealth in a bird that loud.
Once Rebel hit the ground, he ran toward the building, his assault rifle cradled in his arms. Now, in mission mode, his thoughts were laser-focused on finding Brit and Addison, and bringing them out alive.
As he approached the back of the building, he heard chanting. The door was unlocked, so he flipped up his goggles and slipped inside. On the wall were a series of light switches.Turning them off would only alert Whitaker that someone was in the building.
Keep moving.
The chanting was coming from the room to his left, so he moved the wedged chair away, cracked open the door, peered inside. Everyone was standing in neat rows facing the stage, their voices in total sync, their eyes closed. A man in a blood-soaked shirt sat slumped in a chair on stage.
Cult leader.
After a quick scan for Brit, Addison, Honor, and Harvey Whitaker, he closed the door, continuing on in stealth mode down the corridor.
As he made his way toward the front of the building, voices caught his ear. Hugging the wall, he increased his pace, then ducked into a room that gave him a view of the lobby.
Dread flooded his veins with ice.
Honor and Jordan were pointing their weapons at Brit and Addison.
“I loved stalking my victims and killing them,” Honor said, “almost as much as framing my horrible mother, who made me go back there year after year. All that’s left is me, killing you.”
Go!
Rebel ran into the lobby, aimed his weapon at Honor. “Drop your weapons!” he roared.
“Aiiiieeee!” Honor screamed.
Whitaker turned toward him and fired.
BANG! BANG!
Rebel got hit in the vest, the force shoving him back as he returned fire, unloading into Whitaker. One in the gut, one in the leg, hitting his femoral artery.
“Fuuuuuck.” Whitaker fell to the ground.
Honor rushed over to him. “NOOOOO!” She knelt beside him, set down her gun.
“Waste him,” Whitaker said.
Brit and Addison jumped into action. Brit grabbed Whitaker’s rifle, Addison snatched up Honor’s Glock.
Using his knife, Rebel cut the ties off Brit and Addison’s wrists.
Brit pointed the rifle at Honor. “Move away from him.”
