Page 53 of Fury

Her eyes lifted to his, full of anxiety as she clung to her vest.

“You’ve got this.” He winked encouragement.

For a minute, the tight creases in her forehead slackened and the trepidation in her eyes fell away. “Right,” she breathed. Her gaze dropped to his lips.

Holy mother. The woman had no idea how effortlessly she could bring him to his knees.

Chapel keyed his mic. “Blank, how copy?”

“Lima Charlie,” came Blanchard’s reply through the comms. “Green light.”

“Here we go,” Davis spoke low to Hollyn.

“I’m going to be sick,” she whispered.

Davis took her hand. Guided it to his belt. “Deep breaths and stay close.” He nodded to Fury.

The mutt snapped his jowls closed. Tilted his head.

“Don’t let go.” Davis spoke low.

“No chance of that,” Hollyn breathed.

Please, keep her safe.

Chapel swung a finger in the air. “Move out.”

Bennion, Glace, and Nazari led the team along the rear alley that paralleled the street. They broke off at the second building and slipped through the back door while Chapel led the rest of them to the next vacant structure mere feet away. Davis’s body went tense, and he strained to hear any sound out of place as they hurried through the darkness.

M4 up, Davis stayed alert at the back of the group. Bringing up the rear wasn’t his usual place, but with Hollyn here, it was safest for the team to use themselves as potential shields. Fury heeled tight on his nine. Hand on his belt, Hollyn shadowed his five. Crowded his elbow a little, but at least he knew where she was.

The concrete path between the buildings was barely wide enough for two men to walk down shoulder to shoulder. That worked well, seeing as how Bennion and his team would have to jump across from one roof to the other.

They kept their steps light so they didn’t draw attention should anyone be near the windows or gaping holes where glass had never been installed. A low din from nearby Reem Island filled the air along with the continuous thwapping of plastic in the breeze. Whole place looked like some kind of creepy dystopian nightmare.

Silently, they hurried to a side door. Hollyn moved with surprising stealth, hand never leaving his belt.

Chapel paused a few feet from the door. Keyed his mic. “Send the dog.”

“Fury,” Davis spoke low. “Seek-seek.”

It was all the encouragement the RMWD needed. He clamped his jaw closed. Dropped his nose to the concrete and got to work. Sucked in round after round of deep, guttural breaths. Zigzagged as he searched the area near the door. Ears swiveling, tail high, he nosed the gaps with interest. Didn’t alert, but he paused. Pawed. Paced side to side like he wanted to get in.

Davis tapped his leg twice to recall Fury. Keyed his mic. “Clear.”

Chapel opened the door. Hale stalked in, swung left. Macklin followed and went right.

All good.

Then they were moving again. Into the darkened building. Unlike the upper levels, the ground floor was mostly finished with boarded windows that let in next to no light. He flipped down his NVGs, clicked them on. Made sure the door closed quietly behind him. He squeezed Hollyn’s hand, hoping she read the hint to keep clinging to him. In the pitch black, she wouldn’t see much.

Not affected by the darkness, Fury heeled with well-practiced ease as they maneuvered down concrete hallways. Boots gritted over sand blown in over who knew how many months. This floor was empty, so they took the stairwell to the next. Davis stayed on Macklin’s six as the team silently ascended the stairs.

The landsharkcleared the door on the second-story landing, and Cage slowly tugged it open. The team filed inside. Moonlight broke up the darkness, streaking through gaps left for windows.

Keeping his breathing steady, Davis stalked through the building and scanned for threats. Beside him, Hollyn’s breaths were slightly labored, but she continued to keep pace with him. Why hadn’t they come upon anyone yet? If Germaine were here, he wouldn’t be alone. But the place seemed empty.

Sheets of wind-shredded plastic hung from the ceilings, essentially creating opaque walls. They whipped and snapped in the breeze.

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