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“So when I say this, I mean it as much for me as for you. We must do everything we can to stop them. Everything.”
“Yes, sir. We do.”
“Give me your solemn vow you will not kill him.”
I took a deep breath. “I cannot. However, I will not do so unless I am left with no other choice.”
“Fair enough. That will be all, Trace.”
I stood and walked out of the stateroom. When I saw Ares was still on his mobile, I sat in the empty seat next to Poseidon.
“How are you, my friend?” he asked.
“Better in some ways. Worse in others.”
“Understood. And Bexli?”
“The same, I would imagine. What about you, Kai?”
He turned his head and looked into my eyes. “I’m tired, Cayman, and I’m sad. Instead of memories of my beloved grandmother, the place where she spent her youth now represents something evil. I used to love visiting Gozo. Now I hope, after this trip, I’ll never be forced to return.”
I nodded, not knowing what to say.
“You and Bexli…”
“Yes?”
“You worked everything out?”
“I think we did. The most important thing is we love each other.”
He nodded, and I saw a glimmer of a smile. “I told you, didn’t I?”
“Yes, my friend, you did.”
He looked away from me, across the plane’s aisle. His expression was one I’d never seen before. I turned my head and followed his gaze, then looked back at him.
“You and Oleander?”
“Nah. She frightens me.”
I was reminded of my conversation with Ares. When he admitted O intimidated him, I’d asked if there was anyone she didn’t. “Poseidon,” he’d responded.
The hours,then minutes, before the start of any mission, it was like the calm before a storm. Everyone on this plane, myself and Z included, became introspective. Our roles and objectives repeated in our minds. Every step we’d take was choreographed in countless ways as the op’s possible scenarios played out in our imaginations.
There would be no command center this time. Instead, we would suit up while still on the plane before transferring to the helicopters that would take us from the main island to Gozo. There, each of the four groups would land in different locations, but all with the same final destination.
Much like on the night we raided the villa, my team would be positioned just outside the main entrance. Poseidon’s team would come in from the north. Zeppelin’s would enter through the wooded area, and Magnet’s team would advance over the seawall. Two more teams, formed from those already in Malta, would be in position between the forest and the seawall and between where Poseidon’s team entered the grounds and us.
The support we’d received from the NRO would ensure we had live feeds of everything happening on the property, and while our communication systems would be fully functional, any others on the island would be scrambled.
I pulled out my mobile after I finished putting on all my gear, except my helmet, and sent a text to Bexli.
I love you, my darling.
Less than five seconds later, I received her reply.I love you, Cayman.
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