Page 76 of Renegade

“Of course, I will, and you know Mike and I will help you with anything.”

I explained what we were going to do and how I needed him and Mike to come and act as back up. “I really hope you understand.”

“I do. Give me a few minutes to let Dolly know we’re leaving, and we’ll head over to meet all of you at the ATF. And don’t worry about your grandmother and Dolly. Sarah’s other agents will stay here with them until this is all over. Where’d you say this is going down?”

“The Plaza La Reina hotel in Westwood. Do you know it?”

“Yeah, really well. That’s our jurisdiction. It’s a really good thing you called us, Raven. We had a run-in with the manager of that hotel last month. I nearly arrested him.”

“For what?”

“One of his long-term guest rooms was being used as a card room for a high stake’s poker game. It’s a really nice hotel and I don’t have to tell you that gambling is illegal in most parts of L.A.”

“Right.” I did know that. There were certain card rooms and poker parlors like the Bicycle Club where gambling was allowed but in most of the city, it wasn’t.

“Anyway, he might just try to make trouble for you guys if someone doesn’t set him straight.”

“Thanks, so much, Cass.” I looked at my watch. “Anyway, you should come now.”

“On the way, Raven. See you in twenty minutes.”

By ten-forty-five, all of us had set up, wearing earbuds as we’d done three months ago when our friends had helped us take down a dangerous fugitive at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The vest I wore was heavy and itchy over my clothes, but it felt good to know that if one of the three dangerous operatives inside the hotel somehow got away, Cassidy, Mike, Mark, and I would be there to intercept them. Though Cass hated being told he shouldn’t shoot one of them, he understood. The man was a former Navy SEAL who more than likely knew what information the disgraced CIA operatives could pass on if they got the chance.

“Team one in place at patio,” came Mac’s whispered voice through the coms. He was with Thayne, ready to make entry at the patio door of Mendez’ room. Sutter was poised to take the door. Seconds later, his voice came through the com. “Team one, ready at the door.”

It had been surprisingly easy to get the hotel manager to turn over the keycards for the rooms and a passkey to the roof where the team had decided to rappel from. Once he’d recognized Cassidy and Mike as we’d walked into the lobby, he’d been very cooperative. After an initial protest that he didn’t want anyone disturbing his guests, Cassidy had shut him down.

“Team two in place at the patio,” came Miguel’s whispered voice in my ear. My heart did a flip-flop as I recognized it. Pride filled my chest as I realized what a hero he was…what heroes theyallwere. I was glad he was with Damon, having realized how capable the man was after speaking with him. As a formerCIA agent, he’d probably been in lots of these situations or worse.

“Team two, ready at the door.” That had been Vonne’s voice.

“They’ve just turned out the lights, Team one,” Sarah said. “Have a great view from height.”

“Ditto,” Jarrett drawled, “but can I put in a request to watch Team one’s room next time? Watchin’ them two fuck wasn’t on my to-do list.”

“Evans!” Sarah hissed in the coms.

I laughed and then covered my mouth to muffle the sound as I heard muffled chuckles from the others. I looked over at Cassidy and Mike who were grinning and shaking their heads.

“On my count,” Miguel whispered. “Three…two…entry!”

I heard crashing sounds and then a muffled scream followed by the spit of automatic gunfire. I stared at Cassidy who kept his finger over his lips as he stared back, willing me to be silent to not distract the others from what was happening. The sound of fabric tearing and several thuds sounded in my ears before two more spits from a silenced weapon came through the coms. I held my breath, feeling my entire body begin to shake in the ten seconds before Mac called out.

“Team one secure. Mendez is in custody and unharmed!” I heard him grunt several times and could picture the huge Green Beret stepping on the killer’s back.

Another scream followed by a slew of Italian made me want to yank the earwig out as I heard more grunts, followed by another spit from a silenced weapon. When Miguel’s voice finally came through the com, I felt relief rush over me.

“Bastard almost got me,” he said. He sounded out of breath as the Italian flung another string of obscenities in his direction.“Cassanova and Bishop in custody. Bishop is gonna need a medic.”

“Right here,” Vonne said. I heard footsteps and more shuffling.

“Ryan, Williams, please call a bus,” Sarah said. “Awesome job, boys.”

“Roger,” Cassidy said into the com. He looked at me and clapped me on the back as Mike walked away, pulling out his phone to call 911. “He’s fine, Raven.”

I wrapped both arms around my middle as I stared at Cass, nodding. Relief flooded through me as I heard more grunting, another slew of curses, and then a girly voice suddenly silenced. I really hoped Miguel had gagged the woman. I was practically bouncing on my toes as Cassidy glanced at me.

“You wanna go to him, right?”

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