That Day, Karen Deen [early readers .txt] 📗

of them as I watch them now walking across the lawn to a little blue Mazda. I don’t know if it’s Davina’s car or just one she’s using for this, but it’s not going to give them much protection.

No crutches or leg plaster in sight on Davina. Jodie was right. I wish I knew what was behind that story.

Not wasting any time, I climb across the car into the driver’s seat.

The audio feed has cut out in my ear, and starting the car, I quickly pair my phone into the Bluetooth, hitting the button for Ghost. “Talk to me!”

I pull out slowly behind Davina’s car but keep my distance, my mind racing with what we’re walking into.

“This could work,” Ghost says. “We get Oscar, we get our lead to the guys Asha is running from. Start thinking like Oscar would think. I’ll get men down there now, so you have backup, but I’d bet money the sister is not on a boat.”

“Agreed, doubt he has the resources if he’s working alone.” I just have a feeling that there are some layers to this whole case.

“Asha, are you doing, okay?” Ghost asks her.

“Yes, I’m just keeping quiet like Kurt needs me to.” There is no confidence in her voice at all.

“Good girl,” Ghost replies at the same time I answer, “You’re doing amazing, baby, hang in there.” I can’t take my mind off the job, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel every bit of fear that’s running through her body.

When you are that in-tune with another soul, you feel it all.

I just want to bundle her up in my arms and take that fear away, but I can’t. What I’m doing now is far better than a momentary solution. We get this right and she never lives in fear again.

“Don’t lose them, I’ll be back shortly.” Ghost’s voice cuts out.

I keep my wits about me and check all angles to make sure we aren’t being followed.

“I’m sorry this is hard, Asha, but I’m so proud of you. It will be worth it in the end.” Quickly looking up into my rearview mirror, our eyes meet and I see a slight softening on her face.

“I trust you, I’m okay. Just can’t wait until it’s over. Don’t worry about me, just concentrate on what you need to do.” She’s trying to show me strength, but I’m sure on the inside she’s not feeling that brave.

“Love you.” It’s important I keep telling her that.

“Love you too.” And then Asha goes quiet again, while I get back into the zone.

Ghost’s name appears on the screen again. As I accept the call, he doesn’t wait for me to answer.

“We have eyes on him. The girl is there, but in a small room, tied up and gagged from what the thermal imaging is telling us. So, good result. No other people in the building at this stage. We are scoping out the surroundings and will be in touch.”

“Roger that.” And before he hangs up on me, I quickly ask one more thing. “Any intel on what is happening elsewhere in the prisons?”

“Nothing yet. ETA four minutes.”

“Roger.”

Again, the call disconnects, and I get a little closer now behind Davina’s car. Not so close she can see me but close enough she can’t lose me. Although she has no idea the complex system that we have on our side with Ghost tracking every single one of us.

The phone clicks in again. “ETA one minute. You are to stay in the car with Asha. Do not leave your vehicle, do you understand me?” His voice is louder than usual and forceful, to make sure I’m listening.

“Yes, but if things start going south…”

Ghost now cuts me off. “You will not leave your vehicle. In fact, you will take off as soon as I tell you to! I mean it, Bull, your job is to protect Asha. Hawk can look after himself. He and Davina have backup around them. You can’t protect them all.” Hearing every word he’s saying, I know he’s right, but I would never forgive myself if something happened to Hawk after I put him in this position.

There’s silence for a split second, and then we don’t have time for the conversation to continue.

Davina’s car pulls off the road in front of a small warehouse on the docks of the harbor. There is no one around, and it looks derelict, like it’s not used very often, if at all. There is a large rolling door on the front and a small door to the side of it that has been left slightly ajar. A window with bars on it and then what looks like a second level of windows higher on the wall for an upstairs storage area or office. Probably where the sister is being held. I should be parked farther away, but after Hawk and Davina slowly enter the door with their hands on their guns, I crawl the car closer and park next to her car. I want to be ready if I’m needed, although it’s near impossible for me to help.

Ghost is right. My main priority is Asha, and I will never put her in danger.

Not ever!

The silence is deafening.

I can’t stand not knowing what is going on inside the building.

It feels like it’s been an hour since they entered.

Truth is it has only been ten minutes which, to be honest, in a hostage situation, is like a lifetime.

Straining my ears, I can hear shouting coming from the building, but it’s too muffled to decipher. It’s obvious things are escalating inside.

My finger hovers over the call button for Ghost, but I know he will be coordinating what’s going on inside.

I hate this! I’m normally in the middle of the action, but my heart is also racing that I have Asha so close to a dangerous situation. I can’t win either way.

Then I hear it.

Bang, bang, bang!

“Fuck, shots!”

“Kurt!” Asha screams at the same time.

I don’t wait. I push his name on my phone.

“Sit rep!” I