Page 95 of Kyle

“Have you found a good location for a takedown?” I asked, turning slightly in my seat to see the map spread out over Thad’s lap.

“Still looking. Fucking sucks with no GPS and satellite images.”

“You having issues with your map reading skills?” Dec joked.

If I hadn’t had a sinking feeling in my gut and an ache in my chest, I would’ve joined in.

“Fuck no. But without satellite I don’t know where houses are. I’ll narrow it to three locations but we’re gonna have to wing it. From what I remember, eastbound on this road is mostly farmland, but there are houses scattered.”

“Yep,” I agreed. “But there are a few long stretches that would be good.”

“The first one in about seven klicks just after the vineyard,” Thad announced.

Just under four and a half miles. Normally Dec could travel that small distance in under two minutes but the truck in front of us was taking its sweet-ass time, forcing Dec to drive like a normal human being.

“Christ. Can he speed up?” There it was. Dec hated slow drivers. “Geared up.”

I glanced down at my AR between my legs, tapped my hip to confirm my sidearm was in place, then pulled my rifle up but kept it below the window opening.

Without having to look behind me, I knew Thad was doing the same. The sign for the vineyard came into view and a long, deserted stretch of road lay in front of us.

“We’re taking it,” Dec said before he slammed on the gas.

The distance between us and the car was narrowing and I hefted myself through the window to sit on the frame and lowered my rifle.

“Ready?” I called out to Thad.

“On my count,” he returned, and counted us down.

Watching the back right rear tire spinning, I waited for his signal. I heard the word ‘two’ and pulled the trigger. Both rear tires blew out. The truck careened right, then left, then back right as the driver lost control.

With the truck up on two wheels heading for open field, I prayed we didn’t just kill all the women locked in the back. Thankfully, the universe had something else in mind when the truck tilted back down and came to a stop, still upright.

Dec didn’t have the vehicle fully stopped before I jumped out and headed to the back, while Thad was already making his way to the driver.

Two pops sounded and Declan and Thad were both at my side.

“Done,” Thad unnecessarily announced.

Not wasting a second standing behind the enclosed truck, with an armed man inside who could open fire at will, we moved.

There was always a pucker factor when you breached a structure of any sort. One with no visual, pucker factor times ten. We had no idea what the guard was doing inside or where he was.

Declan was ready with his hand on the latch to unlock the door. I was on the other, and Thad was at my nine o’clock ready to take a shot if one presented itself. We’d done this so many times it was like a well-choreographed dance. But with my unease, it felt wooden and unpracticed.

Declan gave me a nod and I shoved all thoughts out of my mind and concentrated on his movements. As soon as his door opened a sliver, I quickly unlatched my side and simultaneously we threw both doors open.

Terrified screams filled the otherwise quiet countryside, but no one made a run for it. My eyes adjusted, taking in the dark corners of the box truck, and found the women huddled together. The guard stood close to them with one woman pulled tight to his front, using her as a human shield, his weapon pointed at Thad.

“Get back!” the asshole yelled.

“Drop your gun and let her go,” Declan returned.

“Get back or I start shooting them.” He swung his rifle in the direction of the girls, exposing himself.

That was a grave error, one that cost him his life.

Before I could take the clear shot he’d provided me, Declan beat me to it.