Page 60 of The Fixer

“He’s trying to make an escape,” Daniels said, straightening. “Or he’s setting a trap.”

Jake nodded, his mind already racing. “Either way, this is our chance. We hit him now, take him out of play for good.”

Lyndsey’s hand brushed his arm, grounding him. “Be careful, Jake. Lang’s not just dangerous—he’s cunning. Don’t underestimate him.”

Jake covered her hand with his, his touch lingering. “I won’t. And you… stay safe. No heroics.”

Lyndsey’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her worry was clear. “Just bring him down.”

The airstrip was a bleak stretch of tarmac surrounded by dense trees. The team moved with silent precision, their weapons at the ready. Jake led the way, his every sense on high alert as they approached the hangar where Lang’s jet was parked.

“Guards at the entrance,” Reyna whispered over the comms. “Three armed. I’ve got the one on the left.”

“I’ll take the right,” Daniels said.

Jake nodded. “I’ll handle the center. On my count. Three… two… one.”

The team moved as one, their shots precise and lethal. The guards dropped without a sound, and the team advanced on the hangar. Jake’s heart pounded as he pushed open the heavy metal door, the dimly lit interior revealing a group of Lang’s men unloading crates from the jet.

“They’re moving something,” Jake muttered into the comms. “Looks like tech.”

“My algorithms must have been downloaded in the hardware,” Lyndsey’s voice came through the earpiece, tight with anger. “Jake, if they get away with that…”

“They won’t,” Jake said firmly. “Reyna, Daniels, flank them. I’ll go straight in.”

The team sprang into action, their movements a blur of coordinated precision. Gunfire erupted, the sound deafening in the enclosed space. Jake’s Glock barked as he took down one of Lang’s men, his focus unwavering as he pushed forward.

In the chaos, a figure emerged from the shadows—Lang, his face twisted with fury and desperation. He held a gun, his aim fixed on Jake.

“You’ve been a thorn in my side for too long, Sands,” Lang snarled. “It’s time someone put you down.”

Jake didn’t hesitate. He dove behind a crate as Lang’s shot rang out, the bullet splintering the wood. “You’re running out of time, Lang,” Jake called, his voice steady. “Give it up.”

Lang’s laugh was sharp and bitter. “You think this ends here? Even if you take me down, there are others. You can’t stop what I’ve built.”

“What you’ve built is a house of cards,” Jake said, firing a shot that forced Lang to duck behind a support beam. “And it’s all coming down.”

As the firefight raged, Reyna’s voice cut through the comms. “Jake, we’ve got a problem. Reinforcements incoming. At least two SUVs.”

“We’re almost done here,” Jake replied. “Hold them off as long as you can.”

Daniels’ voice was grim but steady. “We’ve got this. Finish it.”

Jake’s gaze locked on Lang, who was retreating toward the jet. Jake surged forward, his movements swift and decisive. Hetackled Lang, the two men crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

Lang fought like a cornered animal, his strikes wild but vicious. Jake’s training gave him the edge, and he pinned Lang with a knee to the chest, his Glock pressed against the man’s temple.

“It’s over,” Jake growled. “Call off your men.”

Lang’s lips twisted into a sneer. “You really think killing me will end this? You’re a fool, Sands.”

“Good thing I’m not the one making that call,” Jake said, slamming the butt of his gun against Lang’s temple, knocking him unconscious.

“Lang’s down,” Jake reported into the comms. “Secure the crates and prep for exfil.”

“Copy that,” Reyna replied, her voice taut with focus. “Reinforcements are here, but we’ve got them pinned. You better move fast.”

Jake hoisted Lang over his shoulder, his muscles burning with the effort, and made his way back to the team. The sound of gunfire echoed in the distance, but Jake’s focus was on the man in his grasp. Lang’s reign of terror was over, but the battle wasn’t won yet.