Page 76 of Montana Rain

“You heard me. This is happening now.”

“Where are they located?”

I repeated the address, watching the streets fly by and the driver speed up when I said the word ”kidnapped.”

“That’s a known compound. Less security than some of their others, because it’s a place they’re not afraid to abandon. There’s no way to get in there alone.”

That was code for they did things at the location they didn’t want to deal with at their permanent properties. “I’m not alone,” I said.

“Phillips, do not engage Peretti’s men. Stand down. We’ll get a team together, make sure we have all the information, and keep you posted. There are certain things we can’t do because of the court case. The trial is starting next week.”

Familiar rage boiled up, and this time, I embraced it. “I may not be fully read in on the case, but I know enough about these people to know they’re going to hurt her. So, no, I’m not going to stand down. The woman I love is in danger, and I’m going to go get her, no matter the cost. This is a courtesy call, letting you know it’s happening.

“If you want any part of this rescue, you need to get off your asses now. Got it?”

I hung up without hearing his answer. He could make whatever decision he wanted to, but that was up to him. Telling me to stand down wasn’t going to happen.

“Sorry for not believing you.”

“I wouldn’t believe me either,” I said. “Just get me there.”

“Working on it.”

Leaning forward, I dropped my head into my hands and tried to breathe. Only a thread was holding me together right now. One snap and everything would come spilling out.

I couldn’t think about Rayne in pain or danger. All I could do was find the inner focus I used to have while in the Navy. Or on missions. Nothing else. And I would get her back.

“Here we go.”

We’d gotten here in half the time. I gave him a hundred-dollar tip on top of the rest of it. “Thank you.”

“Good luck.”

David stood by a sedan in an alley, sizing me up. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Did they tell you who I am?”

He smirked and held out an earpiece. “No, but with that walk and the look in your eyes, I know I’m not going to change your mind.”

“Good.” I looked in his trunk, cataloging the range of weapons, both lethal and nonlethal. “How did you find them?”

“I know their safe houses. I had to check them until I saw the car they put her in. It took time, especially if I didn’t want to be noticed casing all their properties. These guys don’t mess around.”

I didn’t bother asking how he knew about mafia safe houses. It wasn’t any of my business, and based on the kind of company we all kept, he could have any number of reasons.

Quickly, I put in the earpiece. “Hello?”

“Hey,” Jude said. “Everyone’s here and listening, but I’ll be the one talking and guiding you. I have the schematics of the building, but I don’t know where people will be or where she’s being held.”

“What’s it look like?”

David picked up a handgun and slid it into a holster on his belt, adding extra magazines to the other side. He handed me a bulletproof vest, and I strapped it on.

“Three stories, looks like an older-style office building.”

“Take what you want,” David said.

There were various guns, a taser, and a baton. “I don’t have a badge at the moment.”

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