Page 63 of Rusty's Command

“They picked the wrong day to test their combat effectiveness.” Ethan’s voice carried a note of professional admiration as he studied the precise shot placement centered between Wang’s eyes. “That’s some serious marksmanship under pressure.”

“Bastard used Sienna as a shield.” Rusty clenched his fist as rage still burned hot over those precious seconds that could have cost him everything. “Nearly lost her before I got the kill shot.”

“Sienna?” Ethan’s gaze shifted to the cluster of women. The trafficking victims huddled together at the edge of the stage with the robes clutched tight around their bodies and their eyes still wide with lingering terror. But Sienna stood apart from them, her spine as straight as steel despite the angry red marks blooming on her throat. Her stance screamed fighter rather than victim.

Rusty opened his mouth to explain who she was, then closed it. How the hell could he sum her up? The woman who’d owned his heart eighteen years ago. The warrior who’d just helped dismantle a trafficking ring. Each time he glanced her way, her beauty hit him all over again, making his heart stutter like some lovesick rookie.

“Hold up . . .” Ethan’s face split into a knowing grin. “Don’t tell me you saved the dayandgot the girl.”

Rusty’s answering grin tugged at his mouth, and he waggled his eyebrows. “That’s the plan.”

Bellamy straightened, tucking his phone back into his pocket, and released a low whistle. “Jesus, Rusty, with a body count like this, you must’ve put a serious dent in the Yakuza operation on this island.”

Rusty’s jaw tightened. After years of hunting criminal organizations like this, he knew better. “They’ll rebuild. They always do.” The words tasted bitter. “We cut them off at the knees, they grow new legs. And they all seem to have brothers. The only question is where they’ll pop up next time.”

“Incoming.” Dave’s voice boomed from the doorway.

Rusty turned as his dad marched into the room, hoisting up his trousers and scowling so deep it was a wonder he could see.

“What a bloody mess!” he roared as he stepped onto the stage, shaking his head.

“Hey, Dave.” Bellamy shook his hand.

Rusty’s dad seemed lost for words as he shook hands with everyone while scanning the bodies dotted around the room.

A dozen uniforms flooded the area—cops with rifles up, paramedics hauling gear, crime scene techs already snapping photos. Controlled chaos swept through the area like a tide. Through it all, many of his teammates kept glancing at Sienna, probably wondering about the stunning strawberry-blonde who’d gotten tangled up in this mess.

Knowing he couldn’t hold off the inevitable questions much longer, Rusty strode to her. “Got a minute?”

As a frown rippled her forehead, she curled her hair behind her ear. “Sure.”

He took her hand, leading her back to Charlie Team and his dad, who were huddled over Wang’s body like ravens.

“Everyone, this is Sienna.” Rusty made the introductions, and as she shook hands around the circle, her slim fingersdisappeared into each man’s grip. “She’s the reason we found this place.”

Sienna puffed out her cheeks and rattled her lips. “It was purely an accident, I assure you.”

“Hell of an accident,” Rusty said. “Sienna caught a couple of bastards burying a body.”

“What?” Dave frowned. “Where?”

Together, Rusty and Sienna described where she saw the two men digging.

“But the person in the tarp wasn’t dead,” Sienna said. She looked to Rusty, and he guessed she wanted him to help explain.

Between them, Rusty and Sienna detailed what she saw, and how the men’s tracks and the grave site had vanished by the time she led Rusty back through the lava tube to where she’d seen them digging.

“I’ll take Mojo and check it out again,” Ethan said, his hand settling on his Belgian Malinois’s muscled shoulder.

“We’ll join you,” Cooper added, whistling for Whiskey. His K9 was still racing around with Soda, both dogs riding an adrenaline high that defied logic.

“Hold up,” Dave said. “I still don’t understand how you found this place.” Shaking his head, he swept his gaze over the stage and landed his attention back on Rusty.

Bouncing the story between them, Rusty and Sienna summarized how they became trapped in the lava tube and found the secret door that led to the underground nightmare beneath the resort. Their words flowed perfectly like they’d been sharing their stories together for years.

Damn it felt good.

Rusty clicked his fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot, you’ll need three more body bags for the men I dropped in the lava tube.”

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