Page 52 of Reign

I swallow hard and reach across the back seat to grab his hand. “We’ll get her back, Cas.”

Even if I have to give myself up to do it.

Twenty-Two

Casper/Dominic/Casandro

IT SEEMS THAT LIFE IS requiring me to face all of my demons from the past. I had tried to block out the night I found Camila broken and bloody as much as she had.

I can’t let anything happen to her.

I promised her that night I’d always keep her safe. I’d set her up with security before I left Venezuela, and Diego was always watching out for her. I know my mother kept an eye on her as a favor to me as well, even after I was gone, but I’ve failed Cam again.

“We’re here,” Nikita says, pulling me out of my own head.

Looking around, it’s obvious we’re not in the best part of town. This marina looked different by day but no less run down and sketchy. Nikita pulls down a narrow alley and points to a dilapidated building that looks like it should be condemned.

“We’ll head to the roof. Use the fire escape; the floors are littered with drug addicts and needles who stay close to the marina knowing these boats carry their next hit.”

I help Libby get the rifle situated at her back. Nikita goes up the rickety metal staircase first, followed by Diego. I give Libby a boost since she’s a head shorter than the rest of us and climb up after her.

“All comms, check in,” Joelle’s voice crackles through our earpieces.

“Comm 1, on,” Nikita whispers.

“Comm 2, on,” Diego says.

“Comm 3, on,” Libby’s voice comes through my ear piece confidently, like she’s been doing this her whole life.

“Comm 4, on,” I confirm.

“All comms, reading loud and clear,” Joelle reports back. “Stay safe.”

When we make it to the roof of the building, we crouch low. There’s no way Mateo would think that we wouldn’t come for Camila. I just don’t know if he expected us to figure it out so quickly but Camila always thinks on her feet and her note was perfect.

“Libby, kneel down here. The shot is steadier if you’re on your stomach, but the wall is too high. Brace with your left foot forward and sit back on your right heel if you can,” I hear Nikita instructing Libby next to me. Normally, I would bristle but it allows me to get set up and I plan to take that shot as quickly as possible.

Once she’s in position, I shake Nikita’s hand and pull Diego in for a hug.

“Hopefully this will be the last time,” I tell him. For me at least. He’s about to inherit the other half of the kingdom if he wants it. Me? I just want out.

Libby and I watch as Nikita and Diego disappear over the side of the roof, back down the fire escape ladder, eerily quiet for men their size.

A few minutes – that feel like an eternity – later, we see them begin to creep their way toward the docked boats. They’re making a wide circle, presumably getting Diego on a boat with an unobstructed view of Mateo’s, which Nikita pointed out before he left.

“Libby,” I whisper away from the mic. I don’t want to distract the guys on the ground. “Slowly scan the area with both eyes open, but sweep the same area with your barrel. Look through the scope with your right eye but watch with your left one too. If you see movement, train your scope on it right away.”

She nods, opening her left eye and sweeping with her gun as I do the same.

“Comm 2 in place,” Diego’s voice cracks in my ear.

Then a silence that stretches on, until my ear piece cracks to life again.

“Comm 1 going in,” Nikita says as he appears in the lights of the dock, walking along the boardwalk of the marina, Max in tow. If shit goes south, Diego is to move in and be Nikita’s back up to buy us time.

I’m on high alert, scanning their path for any sign of another human. “Libby, watch the back of the boat.”

She stays quiet but nods her understanding.

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