AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Now the dull hum of the SUV’s engine faded into the background as his gaze locked onto the decaying façade of the motel. The U-shaped chain outfit could have been in any small city anywhere in the country. Quiet, mostly clean, and guaranteed to provide nothing but a lumpy bed, a tepid shower, and undrinkable coffee, the motel looked exactly like a million other places.
The soul-sucking property was a stark contrast to the laughter and innocent joy he associated with the smiling boy in the photos on Jane’s phone. His heart pounded against his ribs like an insistent drummer, matching the rhythm of anxiety that filled him.
At least the place was quiet. A bleary-eyed guy in a rumpled business suit wheeled a small suitcase toward a dusty rental car, but other than that, there were no civilians in sight. No feds, either. He lifted a silent prayer for their success.
Even with all the blackness they’d dealt with, the horrific missions they’d endured, he’d never had to deal with an op involving children. The added stress pumped his adrenaline to a twelve on a scale of one to ten.
Maybe make that a fifteen.
Jane sat rigidly by his side, her gaze mirroring his own.
As the flat, late afternoon light played tricks on his vision, shadows danced in the corners of the motor court as his teammates disappeared into position around the motel.
“We’re in position,” Kate’s voice crackled through his earbud. “Call the ball, Captain.”
Scanning the gray-washed parking lot, Bridger responded, “Hold position. Nobody moves until Tai gets his drones in the air.”
Jane’s eyes fixed on the motel, her hands clenching and unclenching.
“You good?” he asked.
The look she shot him needed no translation. Yeah. Dumb question.
“Top floor. Corner room.” Tai’s calm voice came through the comms.
“Go on my mark,” Bridger answered.
Jane’s leg bounced with nervous energy as their focus turned to room 218.
He squeezed her hand for reassurance. “We stick to the plan,” he said firmly. “Just like always.”
“Tai, what’s the word?” Bridger asked as his best friend deftly maneuvered the heat-sensitive drone that resembled a tiny hummingbird.
Tai’s eyes were glued to the display screen, searching for any sign of Kellen. “Good news, my man. One heat signature in the room, a small one. Kid-sized for sure.”
Jane’s breath hitched audibly in her throat; her knuckles whitened as she gripped the dashboard, her eyes never leaving the flickering motel sign. “Please, let it be him,” she whispered, her voice filled with equal parts hope and fear.
“Kate, Fenn, you ready?” Bridger asked, his voice betraying none of the tension that coiled in his chest like a tightly wound spring.
“Ready when you are, Boss,” Kate replied, her voice steady and confident.
“Locked and loaded, Cap,” Fenn said, his usual joking tone replaced by determination.
“The bees are ready.” Tai informed him.
“Go,” Bridger commanded.
“Time for some honey,” Fenn chimed in.
“Enough, Fenn.” Kate’s voice was sharp, betraying her own nerves.
“Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood.”
“Focus on the mission,” the pilot told him, but her rebuke lacked its usual edge.
Bridger bit down on a response. They were just letting off some tension. Just because he was wound abnormally tight didn’t mean he should project his nerves on the others.
“Bees are in flight,” Tai announced. “Thirty seconds to target.”
