Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
The chopper cuts through the dark night sky, the rhythmic hum of the propellers pounding in my ears, but not as loudly as my heart, which feels like it’s trying to claw its way out of my chest. Every minute that passes brings us closer to our destination, and to Christopher. I glance down at the gun in my hand, then out at the ocean below, wondering what waits for us when we land.
Vin’s voice crackles through the headset, pulling me from my thoughts. “Normally,” he says, his voice steady but tinged with something like amusement, “I’d give you hell for falling for someone on an assignment. But with you…I can see it’s different. You really care about her, don’t you?”
I meet his gaze, the weight of his words settling over me like a heavy blanket. “I do,” I admit quietly. “More than anything.”
Vin gives a knowing nod, his expression softening. “I get it. Fell for my wife on an assignment too.”
That catches me off guard. I turn to him, surprised. “Really? I didn’t know that’s how you and Addison met.”
He chuckles, a small, genuine smile breaking through the tension on his face. “Yeah, we were working undercover, following a lead on a money laundering outfit in some rural subdivision. Had to pose as a married couple. You know, cozy house, small-town vibes—real undercover stuff.” He shrugs, the smile deepening as the memory seems to wash over him. “What can I say? When you know, you know.”
I can’t help but grin a little at that, even though we’re flying into a mission that could go sideways at any moment. "Sounds like quite the story."
“Yeah, it was,” he says, his eyes growing distant for a second before focusing back on me. “But it wasn’t easy. Balancing the job with how you feel, it’s complicated as hell. You’ll need to figure that out. But trust me, Benedict, it’s worth it if she’s the one.”
I look out the window again, the dark horizon stretching before us. I think of Eva, her smile, the way her voice wavers when she says my name, the feel of her hand in mine. I’ve lied to her. Kept her in the dark for so long. But even after all of that, she still looked at me with hope when I promised her I’d come back.
Vin’s words resonate with me, but the weight of everything still gnaws at my gut. “I should’ve told her the truth sooner. I don’t know how to fix this.”
Vin glances over at me, his voice quieter now. “You’ll figure it out. You’ve got time, as long as you don’t let it slip through your fingers.”
I nod, not entirely convinced but determined to try. The thrum of the chopper grows louder as we approach the drop point. I feel the tension building again, every nerve in my body alive with anticipation. The mission is everything right now, but in the back of my mind, it’s Eva that anchors me—Eva and Nate.
When you know, you know. Vin’s right. I just hope I’m not too late.
The chopper circles lower, the roar of the blades almost deafening as we prepare to touch down. My nerves are on fire, every muscle in my body tense with anticipation. We’re close—so close to getting this bastard once and for all. Christopher's been slipping through our fingers for too long, and tonight, I’m determined to put an end to it.
As we approach the drop point, the sight of the warehouse looms ahead. It’s rundown, the kind of place no one would look twice at during the day, but under the cover of night, it’s alive with shadows and danger. They know we’re coming. How could they not? The sound of the chopper alone is enough to set off alarms. And then there’s the boat, bobbing lazily at the dock, almost mocking us. It’s clearly their escape plan, ready to whisk them away if things go south. Not tonight.
“Secure the boat!” I bark into the headset, and half the team peels off, racing toward the dock. If we lose that boat, Christopher will disappear again, and I’m not letting that happen.
Vin, Harper, and I head toward the warehouse, moving fast but with caution. My heart pounds in my ears, my grip tightening on my gun. The warehouse looks like every other one we’ve hit before—quiet, too quiet—but I can feel it. Christopher’s here. This is where it ends.
We’re almost at the entrance when the first gunshot cracks through the night, ripping through the still air like a warning.
“Get down!” Vin yells, and we all dive for cover behind a stack of shipping crates. More shots follow, rapid and chaotic, the sharp sound bouncing off the metal walls of the warehouse.
I peek around the corner, spotting movement up ahead. Shadows dance in the dim light, men scrambling to get into position. “They’re dug in,” Harper mutters, his eyes scanning the scene.