Page 107 of Shadow Redemption

“Stay in the chair, Mom,” Ben said as he freed a tool from his watch band. “Sunshine, are you still with me?” He slipped the thin piece of metal into the lock and went to work on the mechanism.

“I’m okay. What’s happening?”

“Fortress. Anyone have eyes on Davidson?” he asked his teammates. All the responses were negative. His jaw clenched. His nightmare would never be over if they couldn’t locate the prophet.

More explosions rocked the compound. He mentally ticked off the targets. The motor pool, the gates, the ammunition supply. Although civilians weren’t allowed to wander the grounds during the night unless the prophet called for them or they had a job, the continuous explosions would draw the innocents out into the open.

The manacle’s locking mechanism gave way and Ben was free. “Ruth, I’m coming toward you.” Working from memory, he skirted Buckner’s body, scooped his shirt from the floor, and tugged it over his head, ignoring the intensified pain.

She gasped. “You’re free?”

He chuckled. “You have such faith in my abilities.” Knowing she’d be skittish, he murmured, “I’m right here,” before grasping the manacle securing her to the chain attached to the wall. A moment later, the lock gave. She fell against him and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on tight.

“I’ve got you.” Ben took a few seconds to hold her close, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck. He smiled when she shivered in reaction. “I have the package plus one,” he informed his teammates.

“Copy,” Josh acknowledged. “Hold position. Nate and Rio are headed your way.”

“Copy that.” With one hand holding Ruth against him, Ben used the other to retrieve the knife he’d secured in his boot. “I need a gun. I’m feeling naked over here.”

Nate chuckled. “Got you covered. One minute.”

Sporadic gunfire sounded throughout the compound.

“What’s happening, Cameron?” Maren’s voice shook.

“My friends and I are cleaning out a viper’s nest.”

Silence, then, “I don’t understand. Who are these people?”

“We work for a private security firm that specializes in rescuing hostages and human trafficking victims, and counterterrorism.”

“Why are they here?”

“To help me free Ruth and expose Davidson and his cronies as sex traffickers.”

His mother gasped.

Nate’s voice sounded over the comm. “Ben, coming in soft with Rio.”

“Copy.” He placed his body in front of Ruth. He trusted the two operatives, but Ben had learned early in his military career never to take safety for granted.

The Den’s door swung open and two men entered. The man in the lead flicked on a small pen light. “Alex and Trace will have a corridor clear for our exit shortly,” Nate said. “Do you need medical assistance?”

“I can wait.”

The second man moved closer. “Let me be the judge of that. Can’t have you passing out at your woman’s feet and embarrassing all of us.”

Ben snorted but slid his knife back into his boot. “Weapon?”

“Here.” Nate handed him a Sig with four magazines.

Rio set his bag on the ground. “Where, Ben?”

“Back and ribs. Popped a few stitches and I might have cracked a rib or two. The rest of the injuries will wait until we’re on the jet.” He turned his back to the medic and hitched up his shirt. “Nate, my mother, Maren Barrett, is sitting across the room in a chair. Mom, my friend Nate is coming to get you. Let him help you. I don’t want you to fall.”

A rustle of movement was followed by Nate’s low, soothing voice as he spoke to Ben’s mother.

Rio whistled. “Popped a few stitches, huh? How many did you have?”

---