Page 45 of Major

“What are you wearing?” frowned her father. “You look as if you’re going to dig in the garden.”

“Maybe I am,” she smiled. “I’m not going to be here for dinner for the next few nights. I’m going to meet some friends in the city, and I’ll be there for a few days.”

“We’ll send security,” said her mother, racing toward the house phone.

“Nope,” said Daphne, waving at them as she walked out the door. “I’ll see you soon. I love you both but don’t do this, or you’ll lose me.”

Just as she opened the door, three men and a woman were standing there, ready to knock. Daphne knew exactly why they’d come. She turned to her parents.

“A woman?”

“We were trying to cover all possible bases,” said her father. She could only shake her head.

“Apologies, everyone. I won’t be joining you for dinner tonight.” She got into her sports car and sped away, spinning gravel with her tires as she did. When she felt certain no one was following her and that she was clear of her small village, she felt more at ease.

Traffic was moving in the opposite direction, with London workers catching trains home, driving their miserable commutes, and hopefully getting home in time for a hot meal. She weaved through the busy city streets, then took the roads that led her around the congested portions of the city and to the warehouse near the airport.

She knew the area like the back of her hand. The Wicked Wick was a local pub with great food and a fun atmosphere. She’d been in it many times with coworkers and knew it would be a safe place to wait for Brix’s call.

Daphne ordered a pint and shepherd’s pie. She savored the flavorful gravy, hot vegetables, and lamb. The waitstaff and bartender knew her, smiling and chatting for a few minutes. When Brix texted her that they were ten minutes out, she paid her bill and drove to the warehouse.

She followed Brix’s directions. Or at least she tried to. When she saw the bright bursts of lights inside the warehouse, she knew something was wrong.

“Shit,” she muttered. She tried calling Brix but gave up, realizing that she had to get inside.

Using her key card and code to bypass the alarm, she entered the warehouse and slowly closed the door, trying not to make a sound. She removed her hiking boots, setting them on one of the dozens of crates. Walking in her stocking feet, she didn’t make a sound.

As she neared the source of the lights, she heard two men talking but couldn’t make out what they’d said. The lights were no longer flashing, only the overhead lights on. Thinking she could send Brix a message, she opened her phone and began to type. She never realized that her phone would send a light straight to the men in the warehouse.

“What are you doing here?”

“I-I work here,” she said. “What are you doing here? Are you here for a pickup?” She was scared to death but had to think of something. The man looked down at her feet and smiled.

“You are a foolish, foolish girl.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Let’s go,” said Major.

“Shit! Fucking hell!” yelled Brix.

“What’s wrong?” frowned Sebastian.

“Daphne. That stubborn, stupid, pig-headed woman! She saw lights inside the warehouse and went in!”

He didn’t have to say a word. The men ran toward the waiting SUV, tossed the gear in the back and literally spun tires driving toward the warehouse. They knew it was only moments away, but moments could kill a woman.

As they approached, they saw the flash of bright bursts of lights as well and barely parked before racing toward the facility. Sebastian placed the codebreaker against the keypad and watched as the numbers spun and the door clicked open.

Silently making their way inside, Brix moved quickly to the front, looking up and down the massive number of aisles. Spotting the hiking shoes, he cursed to himself and continued to move. When he saw a small figure on the floor, his heart stopped. He couldn’t breathe.

Not caring for his own safety, he ran toward the woman, scooping her up in his arms. Her face was bloodied, but she was alive.

“Get her out of here,” said Sebastian.

Moving further into the warehouse, they spotted two men near the dock doors. They appeared to be arguing, yelling at one another.

“Hands up!” yelled Garr.

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