Page 183 of Barinov

“Comm check,” Nate’s voice fills my ear.

“El, we gotta go,” I say.

Ellie sighs. “Okay, I love you.”

“Be careful,” Haley adds.

“Love you too.” I hang up. “Nate, I can hear ya.”

“Me too,” Brett echoes.

“Same,” Ty says from the backseat.

“You all know what to do?” Nate asks.

“Yeah, yeah,” Brett laughs while he adjusts his tie. “Get in, distract the fuck, get Bella the hair-tie, and get the hell out of dodge before Tyler starts making a scene.”

“I won’t make a scene,” Ty mutters. “If anything, it’ll be your ass makin’ a scene.”

“And it’s not a hair-tie,” Knox grunts. “It’s a tracking device loaded with enough code to shut down—”

“But it’s a hair-tie,” Brett interrupts with a shrug.

“Do you know how long it took to—” Knox gripes.

“Not now,” Nate cuts him off. “Just get in there and stick to the damn plan.”

I crack the door open. “You lettin’ the guys hear?”

A long breath bleeds through the comms. “Hear, yes,” Nate says. “Speak, no.”

Ty huffs. “Russian’s gonna be pissed.”

“Can’t risk it,” Knox says. “If Bella hears either of their voices, she’ll crack.”

“Heard.” The night air hits cold as I step out of the truck. I place the tracker around my wrist. “It’s on, Knox.”

“I’m getting a strong signal. You’re all clear.”

“Caleb, you remember where to go?” Nate asks.

“Yeah,” I confirm.

“Perfect,” he says. “Good luck in there.”

Brett circles the hood, whistling low as he checks his reflection in the tinted glass. “Damn… I look good.”

Ty rolls his eyes, buttoning up his suit jacket. “Conceited, much?”

“Can it,” I mutter as I pull the mask up and settle it into place “Let’s go.”

♥♥♥

By the time we walk the damn near five blocks from the truck, Ty and I have about throttled Brett at least ten times. Probably more if I’m being honest.

“…look all I’m sayin’,” Brett goes on while still messing with his cuff. “If this pans out and we don’t put a bullet in his head tonight, we should—”

“For the love of God,” Ty groans, adjusting his black and golden mask. “Shut your trap.”