Page 31 of Stolen Faith

“Camo Cast,” Izabel said. “We’re calling him Camo Cast.”

Rowan’s lips twitched. He took a breath and grimaced. Before she could ask about that, ask about his ribs, he went on. “I think Camo Cast and his buddies hired security professionals. They move and act like PMCs—private military contractors. Either way, they’re mercenaries.”

“How do we tell them apart?” Brennon sounded worried.

“In the mansion, and when we were first attacked, the PMCs, the mercenaries, wore black tactical gear and had one weapon apiece.” He paused, thinking about what to say next. “Mercenaries were two of the five people who attacked us in your condo. I managed to neutralize one of them during the initial fight.”

“Shit,” Brennon breathed. “You seriously fought them?”

Rowan glanced over at Izabel. “Did you see me?”

Izabel shook her head. “No. You upended the couch. Put me and Brennon under it to keep us safe.”

She looked at Rowan like he’d done something heroic. He hadn’t. Because in the end, it was his inability to defuse the situation, or neutralize the threat, that had resulted in their current situation.

“I saw very little after that. I should have stayed hidden,” Izabel admitted, “But I thought if I could get to the security panel…”

Rowan shook his head. “It was a good idea, but there was no guarantee that would have worked. They came in prepared, and they’d already bypassed your building’s security. My guess is they were using a jammer.”

Brennon’s brows rose. “You had time to think all that through while you were taking on five armed men? Who are you? Ethan Hunt?”

“I was able to neutralize four of the five attackers. It wasn’t enough.”

Brennon’s eyes widened, impressed. “Holy shit. How?”

Rowan closed his eyes, replaying the skirmish. “Flying tackle, threw a chair, punch to the head. I wasn’t using lethal force, which was a mistake. I also wasn’t doing enough to incapacitate. Until Camo Cast. I broke his elbow and most likely tore his arm muscles away from the bone.”

“Gross,” Brennon said reverently.

“I started using more force after that. Crushed a trachea, which can be fatal, and certainly hurts like shit, but it was too late.”

“They had guns,” Izabel said softly.

“Air rifles and pistols,” he agreed.

Brennon’s eyes were wide. “I’m still thinking about the fight. I can’t believe I missed all of that. It sounds like a scene right out of Kill Bill.”

“Right at the end, I should have concentrated my efforts on the other mercenary. I should have been using lethal force. I miscalculated.” Rowan hated confessing to fucking up so badly.

“The fact that you didn’t decide to start killing people right away is a good thing,” Izabel pointed out.

“I’m sorry you had to fight them on your own, Rowan, although I’m not sure I would have been much help.” Brennon’s expression was equal parts self-deprecation and regret.

“If anyone is to blame, it’s me,” Rowan said.

“Why on earth would you think that?” Izabel asked.

Rowan’s hands clenched into fists. “Because I’m trained to handle situations like that.”

“You’re trained to take on five armed men alone without any weapons?” Izabel’s tone was laced with disbelief.

“Yes. When necessary.”

“Wait, I thought you were a pilot?” Brennon said. “Didn’t you say you were…aviation division? Regiment?”

“Regiment,” Rowan said.

“Are you not a pilot?” Izabel asked.

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