Page 101 of Shadow Redemption

“The guard rotation changes in an hour,” Trace said. “We need to be in place with the explosives assembled and ready.”

Nate’s mouth curved at the mention of explosives. “Sounds like fun. You brought C-4 to the party, Ben?”

Joe scowled. “Davidson’s lackey strapped a bomb on Sam at the hotel. We brought the C-4 with us.”

“Need help assembling surprises for them?”

Ben gave Nate half of the C-4. “Assemble bombs for the front and back gates and the power grid plus the backup generator. I’ll take care of the bombs for the vehicles and armory.”

He looked at both teams. “Don’t forget. There are innocent families here, including kids.”

“We’re not the ones you should worry about,” Rio, Durango’s medic, reminded him. “The armed guards inside the compound are the danger to the families.”

“That’s why we take down the armed guards as soon as possible,” Josh said. “Alex, you and Trace find high ground and set up. Nate, you won’t have time to place all the bombs by yourself. Need a hand?”

“Joe is cross-training as EOD,” Nico said. “He’ll place bombs on the vehicles, backup generator, and front gate.”

Nate’s eyebrows rose. “I’ll take the back gate, power grid, and armory.”

Ben and Nate worked side-by-side while their teammates checked equipment and watched the compound for signs the Fortress operatives had been detected. By the time he and Nate finished, it was time to begin the first phase of the operation.

After giving Joe bombs and last-minute instructions, Ben turned to Nico. “I’m ready.”

“Check your comm gear. We need to know what’s happening so we can ride to the rescue if you need us.”

Their aid wouldn’t matter if Davidson decided to shoot him in the head instead of torturing him with Ruth as witness. Ben tapped his ear and tested his reception and transmission. Perfect working order. “I’m set.”

“Don’t make me listen to you die,” Trace murmured over the comm system.

“Copy that,” he replied although his odds of seeing another sunrise were slim. “If I go down, get Ruth out.”

“Better not come to that, Martin.”

Ben smiled at his friend’s bad-tempered response.

Nico handed him the keys to the SUV. “I transferred the bags in the cargo area to the second SUV. Wait until I give you the signal before you make your move. I want your word, Ben. No going rogue and working off the timetable.”

His jaw clenched. Everything in him demanded he storm the gates of Eden and free the woman he loved. What Nico asked would be nearly impossible. However, more than his and Ruth’s lives were at risk. His teammates and Durango were also at risk.

“Yes, sir.”

Nico squeezed his shoulder, signaled Josh, and the two team leaders melted into the shadows.

While Ben waited for Nico’s order to proceed, he returned to the SUV. Fifteen long minutes later, Nico said over the comm system, “In place. Ben, go. We’ve got your back.”

“Copy that.” He was counting on his teammates. Drawing in a deep breath, he cranked the engine and drove on the rutted road toward the compound’s front gate.

When the headlights illuminated the gate, a man with a muscular build planted himself in the center of the road, hand resting on his sidearm. “Gate guard has training,” Ben murmured. “He’s former military or law enforcement.”

“Spec ops?” Nico asked.

“Negative.”

“Copy. Cameras?”

“Guard house, corners of the compound wall. Can’t see the back corners from here. Trace?”

“Cameras on the corners at the back of the compound. Big blind spots in coverage.”

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