Page 55 of The Fragile One

Liam’steamgetstohis apartment just a few hours after I fall asleep on the couch. I met everyone when they helped with tracking down Lindsey, so we forgo wasting time with introductions. Though Liam is usually a jokester, he’s in business mode right now, checking and rechecking all the equipment and weapons. Obviously, we aren’t flying commercial for this one. The girl’s father is providing a private jet, so the copious amounts of guns and other goodies we’ve prepared for the job won’t be an issue. Liam finishes his inventory check and heads to the large table he has set up in the dining room.

“Let’s go over the details again,” Liam starts. We all make our way over to the dining room table that I can guarantee hasn’t seen many actual dinners. From a thick dossier file, Liam pulls out a picture of a man and a smiling little girl. Fuck, I knew she was young, but seeing her picture is making my chest tight. We need to get this girl back to her father.

Liam holds the picture up so we all get a good look at what’s at stake. “Marco Silva and his daughter Isobel Silva. He’s been making some waves in the Venezuelan government trying to do good for his people. He’s pissed off some major baddies on his way up the ranks. Those in power want him shut down. His eight-year-old daughter was taken four days ago, and they demanded a ransom. When the ransom was paid, they decided they wanted more. Silva doesn’t think they’ll return her, so he contacted me. I sent Abel to do some recon, and he deduced Isobel is being held in Colombia at a compound belonging to a known cocaine kingpin.” From the file, he pulls out several more pictures of the compound and lays them flat on the table in front of us. “Locals are scared to talk and law enforcement has been paid to turn a blind eye. When I say we’re on our own with this one, I mean it. Getting her out safely is our priority. Casualties? Well, so long as it’s none of ours, I didn’t give a shit.” His dark smile is evidence that he could care less about the lives of these assholes.

It sounds like we’re basically heading into the Wild West with no rules. Liam has no qualms with ridding the planet of one more piece of shit drug dealer, especially if it involves saving a little girl.

It’s been a while since I went into mission mode, and I can’t say I hate it. The anticipation and preparation are getting my blood pumping.

“You good, Clarke?” Liam asks.

“Yup. Just getting my head in the game.” I tilt my head to the photos sprawled across the table, studying them.

“It’s been a minute since you did anything like this. Hope you can keep up.” That comes from one of Liam’s guys, Kingston. Cocky little fucker.

“Don’t worry about Aiden, King. He’d be working exclusively with me if he hadn’t turned me down flat when I offered,” Liam replies for me, giving Kingston a look that quickly has him shutting the hell up.

When I first came to the States, Liam wanted me to work with him, but I wanted something a little cushier than traipsing all over the damn planet for a paycheck. The money was fantastic, but I needed peace and quiet. Now, though, I wonder if I made the right choice. I forgot how this felt. The exhilaration and anticipation making my senses go on high alert. It’s addictive.

After going over the plan one more time and loading everything we need into the giant, blacked-out SUV, we head out. The drive to the private airstrip is silent. Now comes the waiting. This part I didn’t miss much. There’s so much energy vibrating throughout the vehicle, I feel like I could snap at any moment. We have hours yet to travel to Colombia, where the girl is being held. I’m counting on a bit more sleep on the plane ride. Waiting to get there and get eyes on the ground is the hardest part.

Sawyer, Liam’s hacker extraordinaire, lets out a low whistle when we step inside the plane.

“Nice,” he says, looking around.

I’m a bit skeptical at this point when I take a look at the lavish interior.

“Are you sure this guy isn’t a money hungry bastard like the ones he’s trying to save his people from? Where did he get the money for all this?” I ask no one in particular, but wanting an answer, nonetheless.

When I head to the back of the plane, I walk into a rather large bedroom for a private jet. I spot medical equipment and what looks like a paramedic bag to the side of the bed. Hopefully, none of it will be needed, but at least we’re prepared for a worst-case scenario.

“It’s all legit. His wife comes from a rich family. When her parents died, they left everything to her, including the plane,” Sawyer responds. Someone obviously did their homework.

Once all our equipment and weapons are on board, Liam lets the pilot know it’s time to leave. Everyone quietly takes a seat as the plane takes off. Sawyer is on his computer, looking at a live feed of what I assume is the compound where Isobel is being held.

“How did you get a live feed going?” Asking him probably won’t get me any answers.

“I have my ways,” he smirks. Another cocky asshole.

Hackers are never too keen on sharing secrets. I like to think I’m good with my computer skills. I was able to erase plenty of stuff where Jackson was concerned while working for Donovan, but even I can admit that Sawyer has me beat in the skills department by miles.

Taking a deep breath to try to settle in for the plane ride, I close my eyes to get some rest before we land. All I see are vibrant blue eyes and luscious blonde hair behind my lids. I wanted to call Lindsey before I left, but I don’t think she’s in a space to hear anything I have to say. Not that I really know what to say to her. No, that’s not true. I would tell her I love her. I would tell her I don’t want to spend another night without her. Seeing her smile and making her laugh makes me feel like a fucking king. Being able to bring out the happy, confident side of a woman who’s had so much to deal with in such a short period of time gives me unimaginable gratification. It’s my own drug of choice, I realize. And when I make her moan? I want to pound my chest, I’m so goddamn happy she lets me inside her.

When I get home, we’re going to figure this shit out. I’ve never felt this way about someone, and I can damn well guarantee she hasn’t either. There’s no one else like her and there will never be anyone else as right for her as I am. That’s just the damn truth.

We land in Colombia in some middle of nowhere airstrip surrounded by mountains. As soon as I step out of the plane, the humidity sticks to my skin, the air thick as I take a deep breath.

I spot two large SUVs waiting for us. Abel, who’s been here the last few days, hands a local some cash before he takes off on foot, not wasting time getting the hell out of here.

“Who was that?” Liam asks as he walks down the steps of the plane.

“I needed someone to drive the second vehicle out here, no?” Abel responds.

“Can you trust him not to go running to those fuckers?” Liam quirks his brow while Abel wears a casual, unconcerned expression.

“I think so. Doesn’t matter, though. We’re miles from town and he doesn’t have a cell. I made sure of it. By the time he reaches civilization, we’ll be long gone.” Abel seems unconcerned about the man running his mouth. I’m not sure if I share the same confidence.

We unload everything from the plane and set it in the back of the two vehicles.

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