Page 69 of Ranger's Justice

“Alright,” Gideon says, running a hand over his jaw. “If Hollister’s pushing up the timeline, we need to hit them before they get settled in.”

Gage leans forward, tapping the blueprint of the estate. “We go in just before dawn. Hit them while they’re still scrambling to set up.”

Deacon nods. “We keep to the original plan—three teams. We move faster, but we don’t lose precision. Cassidy—” His gaze flicks toward her, assessing. “You still paired with Rush?”

Before I can answer, she speaks. “Yes.”

Her voice is steady, her chin lifted. I feel a sharp pull in my gut. Damn stubborn woman.

Dalton grins, shaking his head, but he doesn’t argue.

I grip the edge of the table, my mind already running through every scenario. “We cut off every escape route. If they run, we drop them before they make it a hundred yards.”

Gideon crosses his arms. “What about reinforcements? The cartel’s people will not let a failed meeting slide.”

“They won’t get the chance to retaliate,” I say darkly. “We finish this before they even know they’ve lost.”

A heavy silence follows, thick with understanding. No loose ends. No survivors.

I glance at Cassidy, half-expecting hesitation in her eyes. There’s none. Only cold, unwavering resolve. She’s ready for this.

I push back from the table, shaking out my shoulders. “We gear up in three hours. Everyone get what rest they can. We move out at zero four hundred.”

A round of nods. No one argues. We don’t have time for second-guessing.

One by one, they clear out, leaving me alone with Cassidy.

I don’t turn to face her right away, just stare down at the maps, pretending I can find something we missed. Something to keep my mind from what I already know is coming.

The second I open my mouth, she’s going to fight me.

And I can’t let her win this one.

Finally, I exhale, turning toward her. “We need to talk.”

Cassidy raises an eyebrow, arms still crossed. “We just did.”

I shake my head. “Not about the mission.”

A flicker of something in her eyes—wariness, expectation. She knows. She’s been waiting for me to say it. I step closer, until there’s barely space between us, until I can feel the warmth of her body seeping into mine. I reach out, dragging my fingers down her bare arm, tracing the claiming mark just below her collarbone. Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t back away.

“Cassidy,” I murmur, voice rough, “when the fight starts, I need you to hang back.”

Her jaw tightens. “Rush…”

“No.” I cup her chin, tilting her face up so she has to meet my gaze. “This isn’t a damn negotiation.”

Her fingers flex at her sides. “And what exactly do you think I’m going to do? Stand behind the SUV and wait while you go charging in?”

“That’s exactly what you’re going to do.”

She lets out a sharp laugh, stepping back, hands on her hips. “Are you serious?”

I glare. “Dead serious.”

Her eyes flash, her lips parting, but I don’t let her speak.

“Listen to me,” I growl, stepping into her space again, gripping her shoulders. “You want to be there? Fine. You are there. But when the bullets start flying, you stay out of the way.”

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