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Shep asks her, but she doesn’t.
I have dozens of questions for this girl. Intel from the inside is invaluable. But I bite my tongue when she continues her explanation.
“They bring in new girls all the time. I’ve been here for about three weeks, I think. Girls leave a lot too. And they don’t like us to talk to each other.”
“Okay. That’s fine. You ready to leave? There’s a white van outside, down the street on your left. My friend Kristen is there. Run to her as soon as you get out. Don’t look back.”
She nods eagerly this time, eyes widening with nervous excitement.
Shep gets her to her feet and leads her to the window, carefully lowering her out. Fortunately, it’s not a long drop since the house is one story. But it is elevated, resting on concrete block footing, with a crawl space under the house. Otherwise, she wouldn’t need help getting out at all.
“Kri, you’ve got one girl on the way to you. Her name is Sara,” Shep says, an air of relief in his tone.
One girl saved is worth it.
But we’re not leaving a single one behind tonight.
As soon as Sara makes it to Kri, I take a deep breath, preparing to green-light the op.
After assigning tangos to each of the guys, I prepare to cut the power to the house.
“Counting down. Go on three, two, one. Go.”
Chapter26
Who the hell is James?
KLEIN
For our side of the infil, Tomer’s on point, and I’m in the rear. Being the least experienced, Aaron’s sandwiched between us. In full tactical gear, we have our night vision goggles on and weapons drawn. It’s like being in the Rangers again, but it’s more meaningful this time.
There’s something special about knowing I’m putting my life on the line for people who will immediately benefit. These missions were always sweeter when a rescue was the goal.
Just going in and killing an HVT or decimating a cell of combatants wasn’t ever satisfying.
This matters.
This has instant value.
I haven’t studied the structure layout like I’d prefer, but Mia did a good job of describing it to us. And with the lights out, we’ll be on equal footing with the enemy.
As Mia counts us down, a steely calm settles over me. I’m not sure if the sound of her voice causes it or it’s my training, but whatever the cause, I’m grateful.
The second she cuts the power, we advance swiftly out of the bedroom. Our steps are silent, like we’re padding through the hall on a bed of clouds.
A wave of adrenaline hits me, sharpening my senses.
Startled screams from the girls reverberate around the house, perhaps due to the power outage. The tangos bark out orders. But they’re already too late.
On our rapid advance down the hallway, we meet eyes with Shep and Jonesy on approach from the east side of the house. We have a clear view of each other with the living room and entrance to the kitchen between us. Jonesy dives into a side room off their hallway. That must be the other bedroom we couldn’t see.
The stench in this place is revolting. I hate the idea of anyone being forced to stay here. Probably hasn’t been cleaned in years, and all the atrocities that happen under this roof have me questioning my ability to let these fuckers live when we leave tonight.
“Weapons!” a tango yells.
A female voice shrieks in fear.
“Shut up, bitch!” another bellows, followed by the sound of a smack against flesh.
