Page 38 of Dangerous Chaos

“We know, Wit,” Dillon said. “Nobody doubts you in the least. You’re the first to jump in front of a moving vehicle and take a bullet for all of us. Don’t worry about all of us. Let us worry about you.”

He bobbed his head and let out a deep sigh, listening in as Kroy’s team joined up with the Keepers and the unfolding action intensified.

“I, uh, sent in air support,” Ransom admitted. “It’s mild, just a couple of choppers, but whoever that is won’t be expecting it.”

Wit smiled. “You play dirty. I’ in those bastards’ heads. Smart move.”

“They’re going to try to outrun those choppers and let the team off the hook.” Ransom winked. “Nothing like a good head game to win a battle.”

“It’s working.” Rip chimed in. “They broke away, Wit. They’re headed in.”

Ransom pulled out his cell phone and read it, quick to inform the group. “Kroy is taking his group after them, along with Finn and a few others from your team.”

Wit’s expression was heavy with concern. “Ayelish?”

“Headed home.” Ransom smiled. “Her rig is being brought in with plenty of protection surrounding her and one of the choppers overhead.”

“Won’t that draw attention?” Wit asked. “Kind of a neon sign pointing her out?”

“Not at all. These people know what they’re doing,” Ransom assured. “She’s safe.”

Wit let out a deep sigh as his shoulders relaxed, and he whispered, “Thank God.”

Though the bulk of the chaos was now behind them, and their people were safe and headed for home, the group in the parking garage remained. Waiting. Hoping. Even praying. What was probably a handful of minutes fell on the group like hours –– especially Wit who was clearly worn and wrung dry of emotion. He looked exhausted. A shell of himself. Defeated.

When the rolling door finally engaged and the vehicles began to roll in, Wit jumped to his feet, unsure which Ayelish was in as they all looked the same. Despite knowing she was safe, and essentially right in front of him, panic consumed him. The condition of the vehicles was shocking. They were mangled heaps of broken glass, missing paint, and peppered with bullet holes. A testament to the battle they’d just endured and successfully departed, if not won.

Wit ran from vehicle to vehicle as the doors came down, locking them in from the outside world full of threats, looking for her. Looking for Ayelish. He noted the blood-stained clothing on his colleagues as he encountered them, one by one. They’d been wounded by shattered glass and wild bullets. It was the aftermath of a war zone –– his war.

“Aye?” he yelled, passing Wylie, who wore a sullen look. His head swiftly shifted from left to right, counting heads and coming up short. “Ayelish? Killion?”

He’d made it to the end of the row of parked SUVs and nothing. She wasn’t there. Nobody from her vehicle was there. In fact, they were shorttwovehicles, not just hers. Something was off. Something was fuckingwrong.

“Ayelish,” Wit screamed, his voice echoing in the concrete tomb they were in as he spun on his heels like the missing vehicles were there somewhere and he’d just missed them.

All he found were dozens of eyes, all on him and Coy emerging from the group, and heading right for him. Wit watched Dr. Rick Mendoza rush to the those lining up on the bench he’d just been occupying, with his medical bag hand. Seeing the men and women Keepers that returned in the condition they were in was nearly his breaking. They’d faced hell out there, and the devil left his mark. Wit feared evil claimed even more because Ayelish…was missing.

“C’mon, man.” Coy grabbed Wit’s arm and led him away from the crowd. “Don’t lose your shit.”

“Lose my shit? Don’t lose my fuckin’ shit?” Wit yanked his arm from his friend and approached the others. “Where is she? What happened? Where the fuck are they?”

No one said a word, they just shared a knowing look that could be read as pity and maybe worry. Wit was unraveling fast and running on despair, his adrenaline fading quick. The world suddenly stopped and his heart threatened to follow suit.

“Doc?” Coy hollered to Mendoza, catching Wit as he went to his knees.

“Get off me.” Wit fought back, pushing Coy away. “Get the fuck off me. Where is she? What did you do? What the hell have you done?”

Again, his cries for answers were met with silence, and he didn’t understand why. Nobody was talking.

“We’re on it.” Ransom approached and offered a hand, pulling Wit to his feet. “Two of the vehicles separated from the pack, as you know, while the others engaged the combatants.”

Wit’s hands went to hips and leaned within inches of Ransom’s face and seethed through gritted teeth. “No shit. Where the fuck are they, Ran? Huh? Why won’t anyone fucking answer me?”

Ransom put his hand on Wit’s chest and pushed him back. “I am not your enemy, Wit, and I suggest you remember who the fuck you’re talking to. These are your friends, your family. You’re upset, and I fucking get it, man. But coming at me and screaming at them will not get you the answers you want. They just went to hell and back for you. Remember that.”

Wit’s voice cracked with emotion. “Then why won’t they tell me where Ayelish is? Why won’t anyone look me in the eye and tell me where she is?”

“Because they don’t know.” Coy interrupted. “They pulled off, and we held off the assholes hunting her. Ran’s people came in and took care of the problem, and we headed for home. We haven’t had contact since. Thought they were here and off comms.”

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