Page 55 of Daddy Enforcer
I squeeze his hand, my heart aching for his fear, but my senses are sharp, scanning for any threat. We’re close to the rendezvous point, and I know Cole and Connor are nearby, waiting.
“Stay close, Little One,” I murmur, my voice low and steady, trying to soothe him. “We’re almost there.”
But before I can say more, a rustle overhead makes Billie gasp, his grip tightening. I tense, my free hand hovering near theGlock in my jacket, but then I hear a familiar chuckle, and two figures drop from the trees on either side of us, landing with the practiced ease of Night Ops trained men.
Cole and Connor, their faces grim but eyes alight with the thrill of the mission.
Billie squeals, startled, but I laugh, the tension in my chest easing as I step forward, fist-bumping my old partners.
“Yousonsofbitches,” I chuckle.
“Cutting it close,huh?” Cole says, his grin wide, his dark eyes scanning me and Billie.
Connor, taller and quieter, gives a nod, his hand resting on the rifle slung across his chest.
“Had to make a detour,” I say, my voice dry but relieved. “Billie, these are my brothers-in-arms. Cole, Connor, this is Billie.”
I rest a hand on his shoulder, proud of how he’s holding up after our escape from the cabin and the hike through the forest.
Billie gives a shy wave, his fear easing as he looks at them, his curiosity sparking.
“Hi,” he says, his voice small but warm, Felix’s head poking out of his jacket. “So… you guys are the same as Max? Like… Guards?”
“Best in the business,” Cole says, winking at the boy. “And you’re the famous Billie B. Heard you’ve been keeping Max on his toes.”
Billie giggles, a little of his sass coming back, and I can’t help but smile, even as the weight of the mission presses down.
Cole’s grin fades, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone.
“We’ve got a location and time,” Cole says. “Trent’s meeting with senior Varkov syndicate generals tomorrow night ahead of a cartel meeting, remote airstrip, in the city, a couple of hours from here. Mr. G’s given the green light—eliminate them all, no questions asked. Clean sweep.”
The words hit me like a punch, my mind racing to piece it together.
Trent’s Varkov ties, the embezzlement, the armed men at the cabin… it’s all been leading to this.
I realize now that Mr. G saw this endgame from the start.
Cole and Connor’s mission to assess the Varkov organization wasn’t separate from my “babysitting” gig with Billie—it was all connected, a coordinated strike to take down a syndicate threat with Trent as the linchpin.
My role was to keep Billie safe, out of their reach, while Cole, Connor, and Henry gathered the intel to set up this hit.
Mr. G played it close to the chest, as always, but I should’ve seen it coming.
My gut clenches, not just at the mission’s scale, but at what it means for Billie—and for me. This is the life of a Night Ops man.
You follow orders.
You fight for the mission.
You do whatever it takes.
Billie’s eyes widen, his voice fierce despite the fear I know he’s feeling.
“I want to help take out Trent,” he says, stepping forward, his chin up. “He’s done enough to me. I want to be there, Daddy.”
I turn to him, my heart twisting at his bravery, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting the boy near this.
“Not happening, Little One,” I say, my voice firm, Daddy mode in full force. “It’s too risky. You’re staying safe, no arguments.” I cup his face, softening my tone. “I need you safe, Billie. That’s my job, and I’m not failing you.”
