Page 35 of Inevitable Dream

Caged Angel

Rebel

It’s a hazard to continually think of Sadie when I’m about to invade a hangar, hopefully to find the Fontaines alive and get them out to safety. I don’t know how Falcon pulled it off, but we have two dozen men from special forces to back us up. Bull and Phoenix, with several others, are hitting the hangar closest to the fence, and Falcon is going in with another team to the hangar in the middle. That leaves Wire and me to hit the third one, farthest away, but most likely the one that holds Mitchell and Remmi because of the distance from the tree-lined forest along the edge of the property.

With the information Falcon supplied, the FBI was alerted and are waiting on standby to move in on Emmanuela. They’ve been watching the house all afternoon and are waiting for the sign from Falcon to nab her. The hardest part is separating Emmanuela from Mary. Emmanuela is over there constantly, and we have no choice but to hold off until the right moment. The last thing we need is Diego Rodriguez getting a call that would tip him off.

Our earpieces are in, and Falcon comes through loud and clear, “Just like we went through in the briefing. Wire and Bull take out the guards in the back first. Phoenix and Rebel grapple to the roof and unlatch the skylights, and when I give the signal, we all move in.” Falcon has a team of his own and he’ll be the one on the roof while the lieutenant on his team will disarm and guard.

“Check,” we all reply.

“Ready in, three…two…one, go!” Falcon commands.

We all take off like a shot. Wire springs into action, and as soon as he disarms the guard and knocks him flat, we move in. Two others on our team drag the guard behind a tree and tie him up and tape his mouth shut. I toss the grappling hook up to the roof and climb up quickly. I need to move as quietly as I can. The metal roof can be a problem for noise. I work as fast as I can, loosening the bolts, making enough room to drop the smoke bombs.

As I move the glass panels aside, I whisper loudly into the mic, “Check.” Right after me, Phoenix tells us he’s ready, and Falcon acknowledges he’s ready to go.

Falcon gives the go-ahead, and the team at the gates creates the diversion we’re looking for, while Phoenix, Falcon, and I drop the smoke bombs. The guards at the front of the hangars move toward the two jeeps that are now on fire, giving us the space we need to get inside.

Our team reacts fast when we get inside our hangar. I drop in through the ceiling, and when the cartel soldiers start shooting, our men return fire, dropping a soldier to his knees. Several other soldiers take his place, but Wire is barreling through the thick smoke with his mask on. I quickly put mine on, giving us the edge we need as the cartel men are struggling to see, their eyes watering and choking on the smoke.

Wire indicates he’s going to the right, and I move to the left. Our team moves with us, taking our back. Through the earpiece, I can hear Falcon, Bull, and Phoenix giving orders to their team.

“They’re not in here,” Phoenix says, meaning that the Fontaines are in one of the other hangars.

It’s then that I turn the corner and find a massive cell, and inside are two people huddled together in the corner. Their eyes and mouths are covered to defend against the effects of the smoke bombs.

“Got ’em!” I cry out. “Wire, left side.” Gunshots are going off all around us, but I need to stay focused. I approach with caution, holding my gun up and keeping my gaze fixed on what’s happening around me. One of the cartel soldiers is speaking rapid Spanish on a walkie-talkie. He’s wiping his eyes as he turns toward the cage. The soldier raises his gun, aiming it at Mitchell. Mitchell covers his daughter to shield her from what’s to come.

Instinctively, I aim for the shooter’s hand and watch as my bullet hits my target, causing the man to drop his gun and crumple to his knees, writhing in pain. Wire rushes over to the cartel soldier, kicking his gun across the cement floor and hitting him with the butt of his rifle, knocking him out.

I rush over to the cage, yelling over the loud gunfire from outside, “Stand back. We’re here to get you out and take you home.” Immediately, Mitchell moves himself and his daughter to the farthest point of the cage. I shoot the lock off the door.

Wire yanks the door open, while I look out for anyone who might be coming. Mitchell is coughing due to inhaling the smoke but is able to walk himself out of the cage. Wire has one arm around Remmi’s waist, partially carrying her. I grab the gun the cartel soldier dropped and hand it to Mitchell.

“Just in case you need to use it.” Mitchell takes the gun from my hand but looks completely out of his element trying to hold it. I call into the mic. “We’re coming out. Need backup.”

Both Falcon and Phoenix respond.

“I’ll take the right side,” Falcon says.

“Bull and I got the left,” Phoenix confirms.

Wire takes the lead as I cover the back as several other cartel members arrive. I hold them off at a distance while Wire and Mitchell push past the back door.

“Head toward the woods,” Wire tells Mitchell.

“Remmi—” her father starts.

“I’m right behind you,” Wire responds, lifting Remmi into his arms and running to the snipped wire fence that leads out into the treed area. Phoenix and Bull meet up with me. Falcon rushes over as well, with the rest of the troops. As soon as we had eyes on the Fontaines, the lieutenant called it in. The site is now swarming with SWAT teams.

Our team regroups where we hid our vehicles. Wire has let go of Remmi and tells me to drive the van. Falcon joins me in the passenger seat, and Mitchell is in the back with Wire and Remmi. Bull and Phoenix are in the SUV trailing us as the rest of our rescue team piles into jeeps and heads back to round up the bad guys.

Falcon pulls out his phone and makes the call to the FBI agents waiting for his signal to move in on Emmanuela. “The Fontaines are safe. Can you get one of your men to bring Mary to her family? We’re heading to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital to have them checked out,” Falcon says. There’s a pause before he says, “Just a precaution. See you there.”

Falcon turns to speak to Mitchell. “Phineas never gave up looking for you. He hired us and is going to be happy as hell we’re bringing you home to your wife.”

Mitchell manages a relieved grin. “Can you call him now? He’s a good kid,” he says. I wouldn’t call Phineas a kid, but whatever. Falcon dials, putting Phineas on speakerphone.

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