Page 102 of Death Wish

“Making sure no evidence is left at the safe houses. They’ll meet us at the airstrip.”

“What about Dragon Alley?”

“Once we determined you had been driven away from the site, we vacated the premises as the Federales descended on the compound. No injuries on either side.”

“Excellent news.” Sawyer opened the door for Jesse. “You leaving with us?”

Tegan nodded. “Boss’s orders. He has another assignment for us. This one is stateside.”

The operatives climbed into their vehicles and drove toward the airstrip. Sawyer activated the Bluetooth system to make a call.

“Yeah?” came Jordan’s masculine voice over the cabin speaker.

“It’s Sawyer. We’re coming in hot. Have the jet ready to go wheels up as soon as we arrive.”

“Copy that.” The pilot ended the call.

Simone pressed herself closer to Jesse. “Cold,” she muttered.

He arranged the Mylar blanket around her to help hold in the heat. “We’ll be on the jet soon and we’ll crank up the heat in the bedroom at the back.”

Jesse unzipped his mike bag and pulled out a chemically activated hot pack. He shook it, then slipped the hot pack under the blanket. “Hold this. It will help.”

When she took the hot pack, her eyes widened. “Oh, this feels wonderful.”

He smiled. “Better than me?”

“Everything is a distant second to you.”

“Oh, man,” Sawyer complained. “Lighten up already. I’m working up here.”

Jesse chuckled.

Thirty minutes later, they drove onto the tarmac and parked near the jet’s stairs. Another SUV was parked close by. Artemis pulled in behind the first SUV.

Three operatives from the Shadow Unit descended the jet’s stairs and helped Artemis escort the prisoners inside the cabin.

Nico Rivera, Shadow Unit’s leader, turned to Jesse. “How do you want us to handle the prisoners?”

“Knock them out. I don’t want to hear a peep out of them until we’re on the ground in Texas.”

“Any injuries to your team?”

“The female prisoner shot Simone twice.”

Nico scowled. “Do you want Sam’s help when she’s finished with the prisoners?”

“I’ll let Sam know if I need an extra hand.”

A curt nod. “Let’s get out of here. We’ve picked up chatter in the past two minutes. We’ll have company soon. I’d rather not be here when the Federales arrive.”

“Good plan. Let’s go.” He carried Simone up the stairs and to the bedroom at the back of the jet. Sawyer followed them inside, placed the mike bag on the floor by the bed, and spread a plastic sheet over the top to protect the mattress. “Thanks, Sawyer.”

“What do you need?”

“Bottles of water. Tell the pilot we need a smooth ride.”

Sawyer flashed him a grin, then left the room. When the operative returned, he carried four bottles of water. “Anything else?”

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