Page 104 of Lion’s Den

David slid a glance in his direction. “Thanks a lot, bro.”

“Just telling it like it was. You got the job done, but it took every ounce of discipline you had to focus on the job during your shifts. Once the shift ended, you went back to your brooding and surly self. If you had been a drinker, you would have drowned your liver in those days.”

Owen chuckled. “He’s got you there, David.”

“What, you too? I won’t forget this when it’s time to figure out the personnel for shifts. I foresee many night shifts for the Montgomery brothers.” David glanced at his tactical watch and tapped his earpiece. “Sedona, can you hear me?”

Nothing.

“We know who and what you are, Simpson. You’re a coward who is a bully, beating up on kids and women.” He waited for a heated response.

Silence.

“I think we’re clear. Elliot, how is he?”

“Bad. I called in reinforcements. We need the chopper.”

“How far out are they?” Owen asked.

“Five minutes.”

“Will he make it?” David asked.

“It’s going to be close, so quit playing in there and come help me. I need help to get Caleb to the SUV.”

“Copy that.”

Cam looked at Dario and gave a slight nod of permission. “Make it fast, D.”

“I’ll try. Too fast means dead.”

“Let’s not do that,” Owen said. “I didn’t bring a body bag.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Dario said wryly. He slung his Go bag over his shoulder and set off for the opposite end of the building.

A glance at Rhys had him scooping his laptop and bag from the floor and trailing behind his teammate.

“Lights off,” Cam instructed and set off to do a room by room check. Once all the lights were out, the guards left outside couldn’t see what was happening inside the building without night-vision goggles. At last check, none of the guards were wearing them.

Chalk one up for the good guys. At least something was going their way. With luck, none of the guards would grab a pair of NVGs and peek at the building where Julio was sleeping. Spencer had determined Julio’s sleep wasn’t natural. Sedona was right. Julio had been drugged.

Since the boy was breathing normally, had normal skin color, had a steady pulse, wasn’t showing signs of airway obstruction, and wasn’t choking, the medic had made the call to let the kid sleep as much as possible.

Longing and regret filled Cam. He literally felt as though someone had cut a hole in his heart. Cam needed to be with Sedona. He was missing the best part of himself without her.

When the last light was turned off, Cam settled in to watch the guards who watched them. What was wrong with this picture? Oh, yeah. Elite Special Forces soldiers were caught like rats in traps. He shook his head, disgusted with himself. Made him wonder just how ready he and his team were. Once upon a time, they never would have fallen into a trap like this.

And that forced him to accept the fact that he had made too many decisions with blinders on. Maybe he should step down as team lead of The Thunderhawks.

That thought twisted the invisible knife in his heart. He loved Sedona with every breath in his body, but if there was anyone else he loved almost as much, it would be his teammates. Would they ever forgive him for endangering their lives?

“Knock it off, sir.”

Cam blinked and turned away from the window. “What are you talking about, and who’s watching the kid?”

Spencer stood a few feet away with his arms folded. “Blaming yourself for everything that’s gone wrong on this op.”

His laugh held an edge of bitterness. “Who else is there to blame, Spence? The decisions that led us to this place were mine. I didn’t feel good about bringing Sedona here. I should have found a safe place to leave her.”