Page 73 of Strike Fast

“Reid, of course I’ll go. You don’t even have to ask.” After signaling to Shannon that she’d call, she was out the door and headed down the hallway with rapid strides, the pain in her shoulder all but forgotten. “Where are they meeting?”

“Quantico.”

“Okay, I’m on my way.”

His heavy sigh tugged at her. “Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary.” She paused as the elevator carried her down to the lobby. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Won’t be okay until I know for sure she’s safe.”

“Yeah, I can understand that. You’re going to fill me in on what happened, right?”

“As soon as I see you.” Voices sounded in the background. “I gotta go. But look, Tess…”

She smiled even though he couldn’t see her. “It’s okay, Reid. I’m going to get her and bring her back to you.”

“God, I want to kiss you so bad right now.”

She wanted that too. So much it shook her. “I’ll take a rain check. See you in a while.”

“I can’t wait to hold both my girls again.”

A bittersweet sting spread beneath her ribs as she climbed into the cab and directed the driver to take her to Quantico. She hadn’t expected Reid and his daughter, hadn’t been even remotely prepared for them to crash into her life and burrow their way into her heart. But they had. She was emotionally committed to them both now, for better or worse.

And she was going to get that sweet baby back to her father today.

The head of the taskforce was waiting for her when she arrived on base a little over thirty minutes later, and took her directly to the briefing room. Two FBI SWAT teams had already been assembled. The head of the taskforce introduced her to the team leaders, and informed them that she would be going into the building directly after the breach. If Autumn was alive, they were to give Tess immediate access to her, and Tess would stay with her while the scene was secured.

Everything moved fast after that. Soon she was riding shotgun with a group of DEA agents behind the SWAT vehicles as they made their way across base to where four Blackhawks were waiting to fly them to the target location.

Tess’s pulse beat faster at the sight of them, her palms turning sweaty as she climbed aboard. She mentally shook herself.No.This was her aircraft and she loved it.

But the memory of yesterday’s events was all so fresh in her mind. The loss of control, those moments before the wheels touched the road and they’d been going too fast and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do to slow them down. That sickening moment of impact, the instant her collarbone snapped.

She refused to give into the fear, took slow, steadying breaths as they lifted off and gained altitude. After a few minutes, she was able to relax, the hope that she might be able to get Autumn in a little while helping to dispel the lingering anxiety.

They landed several miles from the target location and drove the rest of the way in a convoy. When they arrived on scene, police and special FBI units had locked the surrounding area down, giving them a buffer in which to operate. Tess got out of the vehicle she was riding in and followed behind the SWAT teams with three other agents, her left hand on the pistol holstered at her hip.

Up ahead lay the target house: a stately private residence located along the Chesapeake waterfront. Worth at least a few million for the location and view alone, the imposing white colonial home on immaculate grounds stood on two acres of land that overlooked the bay. The agency had investigated the owners, but if they were connected to theVenenocartel, that info was buried deep.

Time slowed as everyone got into position. Tess waited tensely just beyond the interior security perimeter with some FBI agents while the SWAT teams stacked up at the front and rear entrances to the house. The team leader in charge gave the command to breach, and they stormed the house.

Tess counted to ten, then twenty, and ran for the back door with the other agents.

Inside the back entry she stood in the mudroom, weapon in hand while the teams swept the house. It was so quiet. No shots, no shouts except for the brusque communication between team members.

Rapid treads above her head made her look up at the ceiling, and then the team leader in charge appeared around the corner from the kitchen. “Main floor’s clear,” he said to them. “Other team reports the upper floor’s clear as well.”

Unease and crushing disappointment hit Tess. Autumn had to be here. Shehadto be. God, this nightmare had to end—happily.

“We’re gonna search the basement and the outbuildings.”

The two teams split up, one going to check the garage, pool house and garden shed, while the other searched the basement. Tess stayed with the latter, standing at the top of the steps as they opened a door in the hallway and rushed down another staircase into the darkness beyond.

Her heart beat faster, her ears straining to make out any sounds coming from below, and her mind spinning with all kinds of horrifying possibilities. They’d caged women. Chained them naked to the floor. Starved, beaten and raped them. What the hell had they done with Autumn? Had they killed her and buried her body somewhere on the property?

Tess swallowed and started down the stairs, praying with each step.Please let her be here. Please let her be okay.

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