Page 32 of The Fixer

“Movement in the trees,” Reyna said, her tone clipped. She handed Jake a small tablet displaying one of the perimeter camera feeds. On the screen, shadows shifted between the dense pines surrounding the cabin. “Three, maybe four. One of them is Lang’s guy. I’d bet my paycheck on it. I’ve seen him before.”

Jake’s jaw tightened as he studied the feed, his mind already mapping out potential moves. “Weapons?”

“Armed,” Reyna confirmed. “Standard rifles, nothing heavy, but they’re moving like they know what they’re doing. We’ve got maybe five minutes before they hit the perimeter.”

Jake turned to Lyndsey, his expression serious. “Get dressed. Now. Mercenaries,” Jake said flatly. “Lang’s people, by the look of it. We need to move.”

Lyndsey’s eyes widened, but she didn’t argue. She slipped out of bed, grabbing her clothes as Jake pulled on his pants and boots in record time. By the time they both emerged from the bedroom, Reyna had the cabin’s security feed pulled up on the main monitor in the living room.

“They’re circling,” Reyna said, gesturing to the screen. “Trying to get a read on the place. My guess is they’re looking for weak points.”

“They won’t find any,” Jake said, his tone hard. He checked his Glock, ensuring the magazine was full, then holstered it at his side. “We need to get Lyndsey to the safe room.”

“No way,” she said, her voice firm despite the fear flickering in her eyes. “I’m not hiding while you two risk your lives for me.”

“Damn it, Lyndsey, this isn’t a negotiation,” Jake snapped. “If they get inside, the safe room is the only place you’ll be protected.”

“He’s got a point, Lyndsey,” Reyna interjected, her tone annoyingly casual given the situation. “If they get past us, they’ll tear this place apart looking for you. On the other hand, Jake, they will find her. They won’t stop until they do. At least if she’s where we can see her, if we decide to bug out having her closer at hand will be helpful.”

Jake shot her a glare. “This isn’t the time, Reyna.”

“When is it ever the time?” Reyna countered, shooting him a sharp grin. “Look, we’ve got two choices: dig in and defend, or sneak out and try to lose them in the woods. Personally, I vote for kicking their asses. What about you, Lyndsey?”

Lyndsey swallowed hard, her gaze darting between them. “I want to give us—all of us—the best shot at staying alive, but you’re the experts, not me.”

Jake’s hand landed on her shoulder, steadying her before turning back to Reyna. “We hold them off long enough to make an escape. You and I take the lead. Lyndsey stays behind cover.”

Reyna grinned. “As long as I get to shoot bad guys, I’m in. And if this goes sideways, I’m blaming you.”

The first shots rang out as Jake and Reyna moved to the front of the cabin. Jake crouched behind the reinforced wall near the front window, his Glock drawn and ready. Through the trees, he caught glimpses of the mercenaries moving closer, their movements deliberate and coordinated.

“Lang doesn’t send amateurs,” Reyna muttered, her rifle trained on the tree line.

“Neither does Cerberus,” Jake replied. He caught movement to his left—a shadow breaking from the trees—and squeezed the trigger. The crack of his Glock echoed in the still light of dawn, and the figure dropped.

“Nice shot,” Reyna said, firing off two rounds of her own. Another mercenary fell, clutching his leg as he went down.

Lyndsey had taken on the task of watching the security feed. “Two more coming in from the east. One of them has what looks like a grenade.”

“Shit,” Reyna hissed, adjusting her aim.

“I’ll handle it,” Jake said, already moving. He slipped out the back door, keeping low as he circled the cabin. His heart pounded in his chest, but his focus remained razor-sharp. Thepale light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that danced with every movement.

Ahead, he spotted the two mercenaries. One held an M4 carbine, scanning the area, while the other carried a grenade launcher slung over his shoulder. Jake crept closer, his movements silent, until he was within striking distance.

With a swift, practiced motion, he grabbed the mercenary with the grenade launcher, pulling him into a chokehold. The man struggled, his hands clawing at Jake’s arm, but it was no use. Jake tightened his grip until the mercenary went limp, then lowered him silently to the ground.

The other mercenary turned just in time to catch the butt of Jake’s Glock to the side of his head. He too crumpled without a sound.

Jake tapped his comm. “Two down. Grenade launcher secured.”

“Good,” Reyna replied. “But we’ve got more company. Lyndsey, can you?—?”

The sound of glass shattering cut her off, followed by a sharp cry from inside the cabin.

“Lyndsey!” Jake barked, sprinting back toward the house.

He reached the cabin just as a third mercenary dragged Lyndsey into the main room, a knife pressed to her throat. Her eyes met Jake’s, wide with fear but brimming with defiance.

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