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)
I glance down at the blueprint spread across the hood of the SUV. Davis, our tech guy, points to an interior wall marked with a red pen. “There’s about ten men inside, give or take,” Davis says, his finger tracing the area where Christopher’s goons are likely stationed. “They’ve got the women lined up along this wall here. We need to be quick before any of them get spooked.”
Ten men. A lot of women. My mind immediately snaps to Eva, and my grip tightens on the edge of the blueprint. The thought of her in there, chained up like some kind of animal, makes my blood boil. But I can’t let emotion cloud my judgment. Not now.
“There are two exits,” Vin continues, his voice steady as he secures his Kevlar vest in place. He points to the side of the building. “One here, at the front, and another in the back by the loading dock. Both are being watched, but we can make a breach.”
I nod, pulling my vest tighter, checking the weight of the Glock at my side. My pulse quickens as the gravity of the situation settles in. This is it. We have to move fast, no room for error.
“They’ve got the women along this wall, closest to the loading dock,” Davis reiterates, pointing to the section of the blueprint. “We’ll have to be careful—we don’t want any stray bullets.”
Vin glances over at me. “We hit them hard and fast, straight through the front. Once we’re inside, I’ll cover the east side, you take the west. We need to neutralize Christopher and his men before they realize what’s happening.”
“And the women?” I ask, my throat tight.
“We’ll get them out as soon as it’s clear,” Vin says, his expression hard. “We won’t leave any of them behind, Benedict.”
I know he means it. But that doesn’t stop the knot of dread from forming in my stomach. This isn’t just a tactical raid—it’s a rescue mission, and every second counts. I have no idea what condition Eva will be in when we get to her, but I pray she’s still in one piece.
“We ready to go?” Davis asks, his voice low but laced with urgency.
I glance around at the team—FBI agents, tactical gear, guns locked and loaded. Everyone’s tense, focused. There’s no room for hesitation now. “Yeah,” I say, my voice firm. “We’re ready.”
Vin gives a quick nod, pulling his radio to his mouth. “Team One, we move in on my signal. Breach on the east side. Let’s get these bastards.”
I grip my gun, taking one last look at the warehouse. The faded paint, the rusted metal siding—it’s a shell of a place, but inside is where all the horrors have been happening. I can’t think about that now, though. I can’t let it distract me. Not until Eva’s safe.
Vin signals, and we move as one, quiet and swift across the gravel lot toward the front of the warehouse. My heart pounds in my chest as we close in on the door, but my focus remains sharp. This is what we’ve trained for.
We take our positions, and Vin motions for the breach. The next few seconds happen in a blur—an explosion of sound as the door blows inward, followed by the deafening shouts of men caught off guard. We charge in, guns drawn, clearing the entrance. Inside, the place is a nightmare… dim lighting, concrete floors, and the stench of mildew and mold hanging in the air. But I don’t have time to process it. We move quickly, spreading out just like we planned.
I take the west side, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of Christopher—or Eva. There’s gunfire from the far end, but I don’t flinch. I focus on the mission. Clear the men. Save the women.
We move like lightning, storming through the warehouse, our footsteps heavy and sure, but precise. Each man that crosses our path goes down in seconds, their weapons clattering uselessly to the ground. The air is thick with the smell of gunpowder, sweat, and fear. I barely register it, my focus razor-sharp as we clear each corner, every shadow.
I spot Eva, chained to the railing with the others, and my heart slams against my chest. There she is. Her head is bowed, her body slumped in exhaustion, but I know she’s still fighting, because that’s who Eva is. She’s a fighter, even in the darkest moments. I push forward, dodging two more men before they can even react, and make a beeline straight for her.
Her eyes, wide and stunned, meet mine as I crouch down in front of her. Her lips part, but no words come at first. It’s like she’s in shock, trying to process that I’m really here, that I’ve found her.
“Benedict…” Her voice is shaky, barely above a whisper. “I…I…”
Her words trail off, as if the weight of everything she’s been through is suddenly crashing down on her. Her face is pale, eyes rimmed with exhaustion and fear, and I can see the bruises forming along her jawline. It’s like a gut punch, seeing her like this—so vulnerable, so hurt. But there’s no time to dwell on it. I reach for the zip ties, my knife working fast to remove them.