Page 83 of Thea's Hero

“Of course,” I snap, pissed he would even suggest not being involved. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I’m not trying to insult you.” His forehead creases. “But it’s… when Georgia was taken… I almost lost it. When it’s the woman you love, it’s hard to keep focused—”

And I’m not trained. Not a former Green Beret, like the other three men in the car.

“There is no way I’m not going with you,” I grit out, my jaw clenching. “I’m not going to do anything to endanger Thea. But with me going with you, we can bypass any security faster. You know it.”

“Okay.” Leo lifts his chin. “And I’m not asking because you aren’t trained like us. I’m asking because I’ve been through it. I know how damn hard it is.”

“Just lock away your emotions,” Cole adds from the driver’s seat. His eyes flash to mine in the rearview window. “When Maya was missing, the only way I could function was to push everything I was feeling aside.”

“I will.” As impossible as it sounds, I’ll do whatever it takes to find Thea.

The car goes silent for a few seconds, then Cole says, “Okay, we’re coming up on the house. I’m going to pull over just before we reach it, where the trees are thickest.”

My muscles are nearly vibrating with tension. It’s almost time.

Rylan turns to me. “We’re going to get her out, Ben. Soon you’ll have Thea back in your arms. I’m sure of it.” There’s no hint of worry in his eyes, and he sounds so confident I can almost believe him.

If I wasn’t so terrified…

Lock it down. Just like Cole said. There’s no place for emotions here, just logic and strategy.

“It’s just up there,” Leo says. “Another thousand feet.”

The road is exactly how it looked in the street view online. Enormous houses at the ends of long driveways, each one surrounded by acres of lush grass and tucked among thick swathes of trees to protect the owners’ privacy.

And Alec’s, just ahead of us. An expansive white colonial with trees all around it, and, according to the images online, a pond in the back. It’s secluded, which I’m sure he thinks is a good thing, but it makes our job easier as well.

Cole slows the SUV to a stop beside a cluster of pines; about thirty feet short of Alec’s driveway. He twists in his seat, his gaze jumping to each of us. “Once we move, this is going to happen fast.”

Everyone straightens; at full attention. Cole continues, his tone low and commanding. “One more time. Rylan, Ben, you’re getting out here. As soon as you get into the thick of the trees, Ben will access the security system and start disabling it. Keep us updated on the comms as much as possible.”

“Will do.” I give the straps of my backpack one last check. We can’t afford for anything to happen to the laptop stowed inside—it’s one of the most critical parts of our plan. Without the laptop, we won’t be able to hack into the extensive security system and enter the property without alerting Alec.

“Leo and I will enter the woods on the north end of the property. Once we’re safely hidden, Leo will access the surveillance camera system and put the footage on a loop. As soon as he does that”—Cole glances back at me—“that’s when Ben does his next trick.”

Nodding, I recap my upcoming job. “I’ll search through the surveillance history and replay a recording of a delivery, so Alec thinks someone is at the door. If necessary, I’ll activate the doorbell and keep the video playing so he believes the delivery person isn’t leaving.”

“Our goal is to get Alec to the front of the house.” Cole shifts his gaze to Rylan, who’s pointing a thermal imaging camera in the direction of the house. “Are you picking anything up?”

Rylan gives a quick nod. “Right now, we have two heat signatures in the rear of the house. One stationary, one moving.”

My breath comes out in a gust. Two bodies means Thea is probably in there. And she’s still alive.

“Good.” Cole sets his shoulders. “Leo and I will breach the house from the west side. Our focus is intercepting and neutralizing Alec. Rylan and Ben, you’ll be entering from the back of the house and searching for Thea.”

I voice one of my main concerns. “And if Alec won’t leave Thea? If he stays in the back of the house with her?”

Cole meets my gaze, understanding. “We use non-lethal methods if possible. But we’ll do whatever it takes to keep Thea safe.”

After a short pause, he asks, “Are we ready?”

Everyone gives a silent nod. Cole lifts his hand.

My heart accelerates. This is one job I can’t fail.

At his quick gesture, we move. Darting into the trees, keeping low, quiet except for the soft rustle of our feet. Seeking out shadows amidst the bright spots where the sun filters through the leaves. Communicating only with tiny hand motions and glances.