Page 53 of Maddox

"Charlie team set," came the third.

We approached the eastern perimeter of the compound, pausing behind a dense cluster of pines to observe the security patterns. Two guards patrolled this section, moving in predictable intervals.

"I count two tangos on the east fence," I murmured.

"I see them," Walker whispered back. "Ten-second window between passes."

Dion silently signaled for us to hold position as the guards approached our location. We waited, perfectly still, as they passed within fifteen feet of our position, completely unaware of our presence.

"On my mark," Gideon breathed into his comm. "Three...two...one..."

We moved as one, crossing the clearing to the fence in a silent rush. Walker and I took the lead, our weapons at the ready as Dion worked on the electronic lock securing the perimeter gate.

"Thirty seconds," Dion murmured, his fingers flying over the small device he'd attached to the lock.

I scanned our surroundings, every sense heightened. The compound was eerily quiet except for distant music coming from the main house. Through my night vision goggles, I could see figures moving between buildings—more security personnel.

"We're in," Dion confirmed as the lock disengaged with a soft click.

We slipped through the gate and immediately took cover behind a storage shed and removed our goggles. According to our intel, the building holding the women was approximately two hundred yards ahead, positioned between the main house and the converted barn where the auction would take place.

"Alpha, maintain perimeter security," Gideon ordered quietly. "Bravo, move into position for extraction. Charlie, be ready for a diversion."

We moved forward in a staggered formation, using the shadows between buildings for cover. As we approached, I positioned myself to breach the door while Gideon signaled Charlie team to attack the main house as a diversion. We all heard the flash bang grenades detonate and rushed in.

The space was dimly lit, with a long hallway stretching ahead. Small doors lined both sides, each with a narrow viewing window—cells, not rooms.

"Clear left," Walker murmured, sweeping his weapon across the entrance.

"Clear right," I confirmed, moving deeper into the building.

A guard appeared at the end of the hallway, startled by our sudden entrance. Dion dropped him with a silent shot before he could raise the alarm.

"Move," Gideon ordered, and we advanced quickly down the corridor.

The first cell contained two young women huddled together on a thin mattress. When I appeared in the doorway, they shrank back, terror evident in their eyes.

"We're here to help," I said softly, holstering my weapon to appear less threatening. "We're getting you out of here."

Their expressions remained fearful, and I realized they might not speak English. I tried again in Spanish because it was the only other language I knew, then made universal gestures of rescue. The taller of the two women finally nodded, cautiously standing.

"More girls?" I asked, making a counting motion.

She held up seven fingers, then pointed down the hallway.

We worked methodically, cell by cell, freeing the captives. Seven women in total, just as she’d indicated, and got them all to the vehicles. We were ready to signal Bravo to cease when one of the women called to me. “There’s one more.”

Dion was closest. “Where?”

“The guard took Emily to the bathroom.” And I knew the second Dion turned and Gideon swore that it could be the Emily that had gone missing.

“Take them,” I waved to Gideon and followed Dion back.

“Get your fucking hands of me,” a woman yelled, “or when I get my hands on a knife your balls will be the first to go.”

Dion and I moved so quickly the guard barely had time to raise his hand, probably to pistol-whip her. I knocked the guard out while Dion grabbed the woman, and we ran.

The second the last vehicle cleared the estate Gideon put in an anonymous call to the cops, but we could already hear the sirens.

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