Marlee and Audrey had followed Taryn to Fort Worth in different vehicles to keep an eye on her and make sure Boyd didn’t have some trick up his sleeve. Jace knew from the tracker that Taryn was at Boyd’s compound in the city, and both Marlee and Audrey had confirmed that, as well. The girls wouldn’t go too far, however. They were meeting up with another of Clayton’s military friends who happened to be a retired Texas Ranger. He would call in the Rangers if things went sideways.
Caleb and Brice were coming in on another chopper with Myles, one of Jace’s Marine buddies, and planned to hit the warehouses from the opposite direction. They were all going in quietly, taking out anyone they saw so as not to cause a ruckus of any kind. This was the kind of mission they had all been trained for.
Some believed that in order for them to win, their team needed more men. That wasn’t always the case, especially in a situation like this with two small teams used to gain the advantage by getting inside the compound and taking up positions that would put Boyd and anyone near him in their crosshairs.
Jace, Cash, and Cooper headed for the door leading down the skyscraper. The building had been chosen because Clayton knew who owned it and had called in yet another favor. Just as they reached the entrance, the door opened, and a security guard gave them a nod and stepped aside. Cash took the lead inside with Jace bringing up the rear. After descending some stairs, they made their way to the service elevator, which stood open and waiting, just as Clayton had said it would be. The three of them climbed inside as Cooper pressed the button for the basement. The ride down was silent as they pulled out their night-vision goggles and set them atop their heads.
The elevator had just reached the bottom when they heard static over the COMs in their ears. Then Brice’s voice reached them. “Stingray.”
“Heard,” Cooper replied, noting that the second team had landed.
The elevator door opened, and the three of them filed out quietly, moving to the left and down a long corridor to an exit. Jace exchanged looks with Cash and Cooper before opening the door wide enough to slip through. Once outside, they pressed themselves against the building in the shadows.
Jace checked his watch as he waited to execute the next part of their plan. They had sixteen seconds before the streetlights and power to all the surrounding buildings were set to blink out, giving them time to get across the street and into more shadows without being seen—all thanks to Cash and his connections.
“Now,” Cash said.
As one, they pulled down their night vision goggles the same instant the lights went out. They rushed across the deserted street and into an alley, covering ground quickly. With their hands on their weapons, they reached the edge of the next building. Cooper had taken point and held up a fist as he came to a stop and took a knee to peer around the corner. He jerked back almost instantly.
A moment later, a car drove past. Jace became impatient when they remained there. He knew full well that this was a busier street, but that didn’t matter when he wanted to get to Taryn. Jace looked ahead to see another grid of lights blink out, giving them cover for as long as possible as they approached Boyd’s complex.
Finally, Cooper got to his feet and motioned for them. The warehouses were only half a mile away, and their route was covered for the most part. Still, Jace was on edge. Boyd wasn’t a stupid man. He would have people watching the area, especially since he knew that Taryn had been with friends. And if Boyd knew that, then he also knew exactly who Jace was. So, yes, Boyd would be prepared for them. Jace didn’t have a doubt in the world.
Jace and the others navigated around building after building, halting only when people or cars passed. With each step Jace got closer to Taryn, his mind became clearer and clearer. It had been a long time since he had been on such a mission. The last one had ended in him being captured by enemy forces, who held him for three months. If any of them were caught this time, there would be no capture. There would only be an execution. So much hinged on their carefully thought-out plan going right.
“Wildcat,” Jace said into the COMs when they reached the complex and he removed his goggles.
Several tense seconds passed in silence before Caleb answered with, “Wildcat.”
Jace stared at the tall fence around the block and the several warehouses within. Lights were everywhere, ensuring there wasn’t a single section of darkness. Guard houses stood at each of the five entrances, and the guards were heavily armed and ex-military. They had cameras posted everywhere, watching the perimeter of the fence.
Cash turned his arm to stare down at his forearm and the small burner phone strapped there. He stared at the blank screen as they all waited.
“Cash,” Cooper whispered.
Without looking up, Cash said, “He’ll come through. Lane is a master.”
Jace kept a lookout from their hiding spot. Lane was another of Cash’s employees and could hack into just about anything. Lane’s look into the area had alerted them of the many cameras Boyd had installed. And it was Lane who’d promised to disable the cameras to allow them—as well as the other team—access into the compound.
“Done,” Cash said and rushed the fence when he got a text from Lane, confirming that he had looped a five-second recording of the area to trick anyone watching the feed.
Cooper and Jace were right behind him. Within seconds, they’d cut through the fence and were inside.
“Firebird,” Cooper whispered over the COMs.
A second later, Caleb replied that they were also inside.
The building closest to Jace and his team was a warehouse Taryn had never been in. Cash was the first to enter. He came to a stop and waved Jace and Cooper inside when it was clear. Cash then motioned that he was headed upstairs, leaving Cooper and Jace to take the bottom floor.
They were looking through a room, checking the various crates, when Jace looked up to find a man in the room with a weapon pointed at Cooper. Without hesitation, Jace fired, hitting the man square in the forehead. The guard fell without a sound, but the pop of Jace’s M4 was deafening in the silence.
“Got one,” Cooper whispered in the COMs to alert the rest of their team.
Neither Cooper nor Jace moved as they listened for anyone approaching. When several moments passed without another gunman appearing, they hurried from the room to the next one. They were nearly finished with their search of the bottom floor when they heard Cash fire his weapon.
“Cash?” Jace asked through the COMs.
Seconds passed in silence before a crackle came over the line, and Cash replied, “I’m good. Came upon a guard. Floor is clear.”
“Down here, as well.” Jace then asked, “Myles?”
Myles’s voice came through the line. “We’re good. Three more are down. Moving on to the next building.”
Jace motioned to his team as they headed to the next warehouse. They repeated the entire process, removing more of Boyd’s guards. Only one building remained between Jace and Taryn. When they reached it, Jace was the first one in.
“Eldorado,” Cooper said into the COMs.
Jace took the stairs and went to the second floor. He glanced out the window and saw the car Taryn had driven parked nearby. His gaze swept the area, searching for her. The moment his eyes landed on her, the band around his chest loosened. Taryn stood talking to Boyd and four other men. Jace wished he could hear what was said, but the team knew there was no way she’d get in wearing a wire.