Page 24 of Saving Mr. Norcross
“Down,” Justin mouthed.
They both sank into the bushes. Her heart picked up speed and she breathed deeply trying to stay calm.
A guard in a dark suit came into view, smoking a cigarette. He paused, looking bored.
Go away.She willed the man to disappear, her heart thudding.Nothing to see here.
He took a few more drags of his cigarette before he wandered away.
“Haven, there’s a guard near us,” Brynn whispered.
“I see him. He circled back around the house.”
Good. Brynn stepped out of cover and lifted the grappling hook. She pulled back her arm and tossed it. It sailed upward toward the balcony, caught on the railing, and pulled the rope taut.
She tested it. “See you at the top.” She gripped the rope and then pulled herself up.
It wasn’t easy, but she worked out hard to stay in shape for her job. Finally, she reached the railing, then quickly climbed over.
She peered over and waved at Justin.
A moment later, the former Ghost Ops soldier slid over the railing. They both stayed crouched in the shadows. He grabbed the hook and pulled the rope up, expertly coiling it. He handed the device back to her and she shoved it in her backpack. She nodded her head toward the open French doors.
They crept closer and peered inside.
“Clear,” Justin murmured.
Brynn entered the empty bedroom. It was done in an ornate, old-fashioned style not to her taste. The huge bed had thick, gold drapes around it, tied back for the moment. Gold-framed paintings hung on the wall.
“Haven, we’re inside.”
There was no response.
Brynn tapped her earpiece. “Haven? Are you receiving?”
Nothing.
“Dammit, I can’t get through to Haven.”
“Navarro must have some sort of jamming device on the villa.”
Crap, which meant they’d have no contact or intel from Haven while they were inside. Brynn knew the other woman would worry.
But she couldn’t think about that right now. They had to move.
They crossed the room, and she cracked open the door. The wide, carpeted hallway outside was empty, as well.
She sure hoped their luck held up.
You’d better be alive, Vander Norcross.
Worry tried to shove into her chest, but she ruthlessly controlled it. She had to find him. That was the most important thing.
She crept down the hall, Justin one step behind her. They were almost to the stairs when she heard voices.
Shit. “Incoming.”
Justin opened a nearby door. “This way.”
