Page 44 of Danger Close
Behind them, gunfire rattled like thunder.
“West wall clear!”Hogan’s voice came over comms.“South sector neutralized.Kai, status?”
“East team’s bored,” Kai replied, voice dry.“We were hoping for more resistance.You promised me fire, Hogan.”
“Fire takes time, Kai” Hogan growled.
“So does flirting with you, but I still find room for it in my schedule.”
Ezra looked at Ricky and muttered, “Are they doing this during a raid?”
Ricky wiped blood off his brow.“Looks like it.”
Over comms, Bateman broke in.“Wrap it up.Structure’s rigged.We clear the zone in ninety seconds.”
“Copy that, bossman” Kai said.“Lighting the match.”
A low boom rolled through the compound as a controlled charge lit up one of the outbuildings.Flames climbed quickly—thick black smoke curling into the sky like a signal to hell itself.
Ezra lifted Sophie into the van and popped her seatbelt on.
Then, he grabbed Ricky’s arm.
“You’re bleeding.”
Ricky smiled.“You should see the other guys.”
“I swear to God if you ever—”
“Hey.”Ricky’s hand came up to cup Ezra’s jaw.“We’re okay.We got her.We got them all.”
Ezra pulled him in hard, foreheads pressed, heat still radiating off their skin from the sprint and the fire.
Behind them, Hogan’s voice echoed over comms, “Kai, I swear to God if you blow that next charge before I clear the perimeter—”
“It’s cute when you beg,” Kai purred.
“Kai—” Hogan’s tone was the perfect mix of frustration and exasperation.
“Relax.Boom in three ...two ...one...”
A second explosion rocked the compound.The rest of the buildings went up in a symphony of fury and flame, lighting the night sky like a battlefield sunset.
Ezra turned to watch, one arm wrapped around Ricky’s waist.
Smoke.Ash.Screams.Justice.
“Burn it all,” Ricky muttered.“Straight to hell.”
The comms clicked again.
“Evac route secure,” Kai reported.“Compound is offline.Targets neutralized.And Hogan—”
“Don’t say it.”
“—save me that dance, baby.”
Hogan sighed so hard it came through the radio like static.
