Page 40 of Concealed Deception

While I wait, I think of all the ways I’m going to make sure this never happens again.I may be in deep, but I’m going to ensure she gets the life she deserves once this is all over.

A life without danger.

“Xander, it’s starting,” Tony announces, now actively typing on his laptop.

My mask slips back in place.I look on in shock at her rigid frame and sunken features and hate myself for not finding her sooner.I’m struggling to suppress the anger so I can focus on the task at hand.

I’m not the only one to notice.

“Shit, Xander, there she is!Fuck, what have they done to her?”

Tony’s trying to steer Lacey away from the screen.She’s putting up a good fight though.

“Vince, get her out of here,” I order.

“No, wait.Let me see.”She struggles in Vince’s hold while we watch on in shock.“Guys, she’s faking it.See how she’s swaying like that and talking to herself?That’s our GMTFO signal.”

“Your what?”Tony asks.

“Get me the fuck out.We use it when we’re in an uncomfortable situation for the other to get us out,” she says.

“Tony, start the bidding.Don’t let her go!”I’m now beside him, watching the cryptic chaos unfold.

“Fuck, someone just bid one million on her.”Tony’s fingers pick up the pace as he keeps the bidding going.

“Make it four.Don’t stop!”The anticipation in the room is high.

“Boss.You need to take this.”Knox passes me the burner phone.

“What?”I wait for the other person to connect.It’s Miles.

“We have her location.I’m sending you the coordinates for where to meet me.I’m already on route, I suggest you do the same.One more thing, Mr.Lamont, you’ll follow my orders, or we’ll abort the mission.”The line goes dead then a message appears on the screen with the location.

I forgive his rudeness in order to get Ava back.

“It’s showtime, boss.Let’s go fuck some shit up.”Vince is all too eager about this mission, which pleases me.He is a calculating killing machine.

“Tony, whatever happens, make sure you get a clear transaction.As soon as he has hands on Lacey, the FBI will intervene.If you need to unleash the monster, then call Miles.”Tony nods, then I’m leaving the room without a backward glance.

I’m jittery and ready to cause havoc.It took us thirty excruciating minutes, but we’re here.We had to come in from a neighboring property, which works for our cover in the tree line behind the villa.

We’ve watched the two guards out front, through the dense bush, since we arrived.Both doing fuck all of a good job paying attention to their surroundings, might I add.

Miles has been going over the operation plan with his team through his earpiece, including my men who have fallen into their former military roles like clockwork.

According to Miles, there’s a basement off to the west and a bunch of bedrooms on the upper north wing; one of which is where Ava is being held.

“Mr.Lamont, I can’t stress enough that once we’re in, we only have a short amount of time to get her and any other captives out.You’ll be stationed with me.Once the distraction is made and the coast is clear, I’ll help you get Ava out as safely as possible.No matter what happens to me, my team, Vince, and Knox will help you finish this mission.On my mark.”He holds his arm up in wait, then drops it, and I follow him as he rushes off toward the house.

We weave through dense bush and overgrown gardens to get where we’re going.Miles guides me through it all like it’s second nature.

A loud explosion detonates around the front of the property.It discharges a deafening boom that gives us our distraction.Miles comes to a stop in front of a window, and before the noise dissipates, he slams his elbow into it, breaking the glass with precision to allow us access inside.

He opens the door, now waving me inside to follow him.I have my M4 ready, in case someone lurks in the shadows.

Gun fire blasts from the front of the property, so we move as fast as we can up the stairs, gunning down anyone who gets in our way.The figure rounding the corner doesn’t have a chance to raise his own firearm before bullets rip through his body and his blood splatter paints the wall.

We stalk down the hall on high alert.Miles raises his arm up, stopping us, then he points in the direction of the last door on the left.He holds up three fingers, two, one, then he kicks the door in, opening it up to a new hell.

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