Page 71 of Rami

“Shit,” Rami said, driving past the scene. “How are we gonna get the drone without getting stuck with police?” He turned onto a dirt road and parked behind a stand of trees that’d hide them from the cops.

Security footage would show they’d acted in self-defense, and they were licensed to carry and operate as a bodyguard service. Legally, they were fine. But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t have to explain themselves and be tied up with questions for who knew how long.

Taschen rubbed his knuckles over his jaw. The guy almost always had something to say, whether it was useful or a pile of shit. This time he was silent.

“There’s no way to get to the truck unseen,” Rami spat. “It’s right in the middle of the chaos.” Annoyance pulsed through him, and he slammed the heel of his palm against the dash. “Sonofabitch!”

He’d driven further away from Ivy. By now she could be dead or the cartel could be... hell, he couldn’t go there. The image of those fuckers touching her, hurting her, made his head damn near explode.

His vision wavered and he pinched his temples between his thumb and middle finger. If he didn’t lower his blood pressure, he’d have a heart attack. Bringing in one deep breath after another, he forced a plan into place.

“All right.” He lowered his hand and exhaled through his nose. “We both go in and explain the situation. You stay for questions and I’ll take the drone.”

Taschen’s top lip curled at the edge. “You think that’s gonna work?”

“We’ll make it work.”

Taschen sighed. “We can’t get into a shoot-out with a bunch of cops.”

Rami slid him an Are you kidding me expression. “No shit, dummy.” He worked his jaw. They needed the drone. He pulled out his phone and texted Toth.

Where are you?

He drummed his fingers, but the reply came quickly.

Few minutes away from the rest stop. August is with me.

Perfect. They wouldn’t need to wait for August to show up. That’d save precious minutes. Rami sent Toth a pin of their location and then relayed the information to Taschen.

His friend lifted a shoulder. “As long as you’ve got backup, I’m happy to take the heat with the police. They can’t hold us all here. Only the two of us were involved. You stay here in your truck with August. While I’m talking to the cops, Toth can retrieve the drone. That way no matter what, you’ve got someone to move with.”

Rami nodded. He wanted the four of them to retrieve Ivy—the more manpower, the greater the odds of getting her out safely. But they’d done bigger missions overseas with fewer men and even more dire circumstances.

A few minutes later headlights approached. The vehicle slowed and pulled a U-turn to park directly behind Rami’s truck at the side of the dirt road.

Rami got out and Taschen followed just as Toth and August emerged from their vehicle.

“Hey man.” August’s face was a storm of emotions. One being pity. He clapped Rami on the shoulder. “We’ll find her.”

Toth dragged his fingertips through his beard. Worry filled his gaze, but there was something else there. Briefly Rami remembered Savannah’s pregnancy. He hadn’t gotten to talk to Toth about how Savannah was doing, but now wasn’t the time. Nor did he have the capacity to worry about anyone besides Ivy.

“Tell me you’ve got a lead.” Toth’s voice was as grave as his expression.

“I was gonna say the same thing.” Rami massaged his temple but the action did nothing to soothe the fierce thumping. “No word on where the van went?”

“Not yet. I asked my brothers to help. If anyone can locate the van, it’s Dare.”

Rami sighed. That didn’t help them right now. “All right,” he breathed. “We need the drone from the back of Taschen’s vehicle. Only problem is it’s in the middle of a police investigation.”

Toth’s expression turned fierce and August groaned.

“We’ll be tied up for hours,” Toth said.

“Taschen’s going to answer their questions while you take the drone from the back of the truck.”

“Me?” Toth jabbed his thumb toward his own chest.

“Yeah, well. Can’t be me. And since August is the medic, I need him.”

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