Page 236 of Bossy Hero

After three seconds pass, I slip back into action mode, reattaching my game face.

Fifteen minutes later, there’s no change here. Periodically, Mia provides updates on activities in Miami. Looks like they haven’t seen Lenkov yet, but two of his brigadiers were disarmed and detained in the melee. Getting such high-level bratva officers is a huge fucking win and will help ensure that no one else takes over for Lenkov when we take him down.

And we fucking will.

Jonesy’s voice rustles through my earpiece. “Boss, you’ve got incoming. Vehicle on your five-o’clock position, coming in hot.”

I swing around, my weapon extended. “Copy.”

An unmarked Chevy Impala screeches to a stop between a forklift and a row of containers about thirty feet away. I recognize the vehicle immediately.

Patterson places one foot on the ground and sticks his head up through the cracked driver’s side door. “We need to move. Come with me.”

I check over both shoulders, crouch low, and approach him briskly. Before I leave my post, I need to know why, so I pause a few feet shy of his vehicle. I stay hidden between the shipping containers so I’m not sticking out like a sore thumb. Like him. Dumbass.

“What is it?”

“It’s Lenkov. In the flesh. He just boarded a private yacht in a nearby marina. Guess he heard about the busts in Miami and is fleeing. Or maybe this was his plan all along. I called in SWAT to meet us there. We need to hurry. Talk on the way.”

“Jonesy, come down. We need to roll out.”

Patterson holds his palm out, his head shaking vehemently. “All due respect, but I suggest he stay here to keep an eye on the port.”

“Why?”

“Aside from not having time to wait for him to climb down, our intel came from Katia. She finally got a message to her father. While the chief believes her, I’m less confident. What if she’s intentionally pulling us away?”

I forcefully exhale while rushing my decision.

“Lancaster, I don’t have time to wait for you to decide. Katia was only able to contact her father once she was already on the yacht. She said they’re loading some of his inventory and personal belongings. Once that’s on board, they’re gone. Katia and her baby are in danger, assuming she’s still on our side. If you aren’t coming, I’m leaving without you.”

He taps the side of the car door and lowers back behind the wheel.

Fuck.

“I’m coming.” I dash around the car while barking out an order. “Jonesy, stay in position and continue monitoring for Lenkov’s people.”

“Wilco. Be careful,” he responds.

Mia adds, “Boss, your three-person backup team is en route. Should I redirect them to tail you or proceed to Jonesy’s twenty?”

Trusting my gut, I make an instantaneous decision. “On me.” Then I duck into the passenger seat.

As I close the door, Patterson floors it. The tires squeal and kick up dust. My spine slams into the seat from the force.

I hate leaving Jonesy alone. But he’s safe in a nest.

Lenkov must have a contingent of guards with him, and we’ll beat SWAT to the marina, given we’re already so close and the amount of time it takes to mobilize a tactical team.

As we barrel down the road, I grow more confident in my decision. It’s more likely that I’ll need the backup. However, I still don’t like leaving Jonesy behind.

Patterson whips us around a sharp corner, then accelerates down an access road.

I place my hand on the dashboard to brace myself as we jostle around like the fucking Duke boys outrunning Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. “What are we walking into, Patterson?”

“Other than what I told you already, all I know is he’s in slip eight. We can expect a big-ass yacht, and he’ll probably have tons of goons with him. No clue where he’ll have stashed Katia and the baby. Obviously, getting them out safely is a priority. In addition to arresting Lenkov before he can flee.”

“That’s all the intel you have?”

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