Page 143 of Rescuing You

He smiled. “I’ve never seen you before in my life.” He leaned in and whispered. “God bless you.”

He and Stone took the same side door they’d used to enter, keeping out of sight of the hotel room windows in case one of the guards looked out.

Stone was talking to Brock. Making a plan.

Michael listened through his earpiece.

Two men would come down from the roof and access the room via the balcony.

Two more would enter through the hallway.

Two would watch the doors on both sides of the building to make sure nobody escaped.

The goal: Disarm the terrorists and secure the hostages. Take Waleed Shehab into custody.

They could do this. With the element of surprise—and their advanced training, not to mention body armor—they’d be successful.

Their team had eight people.

But only jobs for six.

Brock would “direct traffic,” as he liked to put it. Meaning he’d stay away from the fray.

Michael wasn’t a bit surprised when Brock ordered him to wait in the car and “let the big boys handle it.”

He managed to keep his response from slipping out.

If the team saved Leila and Jasmine, Michael would have nothing but gratitude for all of them.

They knew what they were doing, and in his state, with his wounds and his emotional connection, he’d probably be more of a liability than an asset. Not that he’d ever admit that out loud.

“I mean it,” Brock said. “Do not interfere.”

“Headed to the car.” Michael got the keys from Stone and walked back to the rental, where he settled in the driver’s seat to listen. And pray.

Only a few minutes passed before he heard the bang of a door through his earpiece. The one on the balcony, he guessed.

No gunshots.

Very few shouts, all in English.

And then… “They’re not here.” Stone’s voice.

Michael tapped his earpiece to speak. “Who? The men? Leila and⁠—”

“Room’s empty,” Stone said. “No targets, no hostages.” A pause, then, “No luggage. Empty.”

Stifling a curse, Michael sent Alyssa a text, just to be sure, even though Brock would be watching the location of the phones now.

She responded immediately.

Cells haven’t moved.

At the same time, Tile’s voice came through. “Phones are here. They left them.”

Meaning, Shehab had figured out that Michael could track them.

And had led them right here. Wasting their time and diverting their focus.