Page 85 of Beast

38

GASTON

Adrenaline courses through my veins as I strap on the Kevlar vest and check the ammunition in my pistol, before sliding it into the holster on my thigh.

Alejandro approaches, his face etched with concern.

“Jefe, I really think you should sit this one out,” he says. “Leave the rescue operation to us. We’ve got the tactical training for this.”

I shake my head firmly. “I’m going, Alejandro. That’s final.”

He sighs. “It’s going to be extremely dangerous. Estrada’s men won’t hesitate to kill you. And if something happens to you...”

“I don’t care about the danger,” I interrupt. “Blake is in there. I need to be the one to get her out.”

Alejandro presses his lips together in a thin line. He knows better than to argue with me when my mind is made up.

“I know you care about her,” he says quietly. “But Estrada took her to get to you. If he captures you too, then we’ve lost everything.”

“He won’t capture me,” I say coldly. “The only thing I care about right now is getting Blake back safely. Nothing else matters.”

Alejandro nods slowly. “I understand. But please be smart in there. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. We can’t afford to lose you.”

I place my hand on his shoulder. “The only risk is leaving Blake in Estrada’s hands a moment longer. Now let’s move out.”

Alejandro sighs again but doesn’t argue further.

I slide into the passenger seat of the van. An unbelievable flood of adrenaline pounding through my veins. My men file into the back, strapping on their gear and checking their weapons one last time. I nod to Alejandro and he turns the ignition, bringing the van’s engine to life.

We pull out onto the street, and I take out my phone. With a few taps, I open up the hacked security feed from inside the warehouse where Blake is.

There she is. My Blake. Tied to a chair right in the middle of the open space, directly under a dangling light. Even with her head slumped down, I’d recognize her anywhere.

Seeing her like that, restrained and helpless makes my blood boil. I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. Estrada will pay for this. For laying his filthy hands on her.

I zoom in the camera, examining Blake closely. She looks unharmed, except for some bruising around her wrists from the ropes. Small blessings. As long as she hasn’t been violated, Estrada still has a chance to come out of this breathing.

Blake stirs, lifting her head. The light glints off her blonde hair and I’m struck by a surge of possessive rage.

Alejandro glances over, noticing my white-knuckled grip on the phone. “We’ll get her out safely.”

I nod, unable to tear my eyes from the screen.

The van rounds a corner and the warehouse comes into view up ahead. My heart pounds wildly in my chest.

Hold on, mi amor. I’m coming for you.

Once parked, we slip out into the shadows and approach. I grip the handle of my silenced pistol tightly while Alejandro and Miguel lead us toward the side entrance of the warehouse. We stick to the shadows, moving closer.

Two guards stand smoking outside the warehouse. Miguel gives the hand signal to freeze and we blend into the darkness. In perfect sync they clamp their hands over the guards’ mouth and slit their throats smoothly. The only sound is the soft thump of the bodies hitting the ground.

Two down and there’s still more inside. We advance toward the door and then stack up. Alejandro tries the handle and it’s unlocked.

He holds up 3 fingers, then 2, 1...

The door swings open and we all rush inside with weapons raised to find the corridor empty. We clear the first couple of rooms methodically, finding nothing. My heart pounds louder with every step that takes me closer to Blake.

Voices drift from a room ahead on the right. Miguel peers around the corner and holds up two fingers. Two more guards. He places a finger to his lips and then signals to move round the corner.

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