Page 104 of Declan

“Team two on standby,” Kyle called in for himself, Max, and Gabe.

Something felt off. I wasn’t sure if it was the operation, or if it was dread that our target was someone Autumn considered a friend, or if it was Owen. I had serious concerns about the man; he was holding on by a thread.

“Kevin’s posted at the exit. She’s not driving out of here,” Garrett told me something I knew. “You’re clear to enter. Capture if possible. We’d like to question her.”

Having heard Garrett’s request for capture, Owen growled and my concern grew to doubt.

“Lock it down, brother,” I warned. I glanced to my left and I took in Owen.

Then my gut roiled. I knew that look, I’d seen it on Thad’s face when Emmy was kidnapped, I’d seen it on Max’s when Eva was taken to Alaska, I’d seen it on Kyle’s when Anaya was on the run with Tatiana and there was a seriously dangerous man tied up in the back of the car. I’d also felt it when my sister was taken to Brazil and nearly killed. And lastly, I’d tasted it when my wife and daughter had died in my arms.

It was then I knew I’d had enough, the acid had eaten away at the lining in my gut and it was burning straight through. If I continued, there’d be nothing left.

I’d be a pile of ash.

I was halfway there.

I’d bled enough.

I couldn’t take another motherfucking day feeling the poison leeching into my body. My soul. I’d served my country, I’d paid my dues, I bled, I leaked sweat and tears.

And right then, seeing another brother look like he was on the edge of losing his ever-loving mind, I remembered that taste and I knew there wasn’t a goddamn thing I was going to say to make the bitter taste palpable.

“Do what you gotta do, Owen. All I ask is you give Autumn a chance to talk her down. Maloof needs to answer for what she’s done, but there might be more at play and Autumn needs a chance to work that angle. Beyond that, I ain’t gonna stop you. But something else you need to keep in mind, when this is over, Natasha’s gonna need you. So my suggestion would be to lock your shit down. That way at the end of this, you can take your woman home and see to her.”

I heard Autumn suck in an audible breath but I kept my eyes on Owen. I didn’t know him well, but I liked what I knew. He was a good guy, a few years older than me, and had served his country with honor. I also knew he cared about Natasha, therefore he’d do the right thing.

A loud scream cut through my thoughts and plan A flew out the window. There was no time for finesse and surprise.

“Did you—”

“Go,” I cut off Gabe’s question.

Fifty yards quickly turned into ten. Owen was at my side and I could hear Autumn’s heavy footsteps not far behind.

By the time we made it the short distance to the door of the building, I’d pushed everything but the mission out of my head and waited for Autumn to catch up. A few moments later, I felt her small hand touch my shoulder.

I locked eyes with Owen, gave him a sharp nod, and opened the door. We were instantly assaulted by a cry of pain.

Fuck.

Owen rushed through the door—armed, pissed off, and on edge. Not good. I followed, glanced around the room—all open, no doors, no other occupants but Ashaki Maloof and Natasha.

“Step the fuck back,” Owen barked and leveled his firearm at Maloof.

She did neither.

“Not gonna ask you again, bitch.”

Beside me I heard Autumn’s hiss, then I fought the urge to shove her back out the door. This was not because Ashaki Maloof had drawn her weapon. It was because Natasha was either tied or handcuffed to a chair and her face was beaten to hell.

“What the hell are you doing, Ash?” Autumn shouted.

“This isn’t your business. Turn around, take your bulldogs with you, and leave.”

Owen made an unhappy sound, his mood going from dangerous to openly hostile.

Another battle ensued. This one turned into a war when Autumn moved between me and Owen in an effort to get closer to Maloof.