Page 38 of No Mistake

“I bet. I saw Sophie.”

Ryan leaned against his locker. He knew the two women were good friends, but he wasn't sure just how much they shared.

“How is she?”

“Worried, upset. I wanted to stay, but I was needed here.”

“I know. I did offer to stay with her, but she said she wanted to be alone.”

Kelly moved further into the locker room and shut the door.

“Ryan, she doesn’t really know what she wants. Don’t give up on her.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you and her have been, er...” She ran a hand through her hair. “Getting to know each other.”

Ryan smiled. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.”

“Look, I love you, Ryan, you know that. I also love Sophie and I won’t betray her confidence by sharing what we spoke about. But Sophie’s been through some stuff.”

“I know about her parents. She told me.”

“There’s more than that. There was a bad relationship. Really bad.”

“What do you mean bad?” His protective instincts roared alive.

“Ryan, I’ve already said too much. But I trust you and you obviously care about her. Just be patient and be gentle, that’s all I’m trying to say. When she’s ready, hopefully she’ll tell you herself. You’re good for her and she’s good for you. Just hang in there, OK?”

Kelly stepped forward, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Now go get some sleep.” She squeezed his arm and left.

Ryan felt better than he had all day. If Sophie had spoken to Kelly, and Kelly was telling him to hang in there, then there had to be a chance. He could be patient. Sophie was worth it.

BACK AT HIS HOUSE, it felt like he’d just settled on his sofa when his phone buzzed.

911 The Farm

That text from Dex meant there was an imminent op. He glanced at the clock. Ten p.m. He had dozed for about three hours. Better than nothing. He was in and out of the shower, dressed, and in his car within fifteen minutes.

He was the last to arrive. The rest of the team had still been at Jerry's Bar, which was closer. Sam walked in right behind him.

“OK, team, we have an address.”

Ryan couldn’t hide his surprise. “For where Chloe is?”

“That we can’t be sure of. But we can link the Vitelli Cartel to this address and Sanchez wants us to take it. The Cartel has paid people off in the police force before. He doesn’t want to risk requesting a warrant and them getting wind of the raid. So we are doing him a little favor. We need to take them quietly.” Sam looked pointedly at Dex. “And alive.”

“We’ll do our best, Sam, but can’t promise if it jeopardizes rescuing Chloe.”

“Understood.”

This was why Ryan loved working for Onyx. They were able to color outside the lines and not have to wait for pesky things like warrants.

JUST UNDER TWO HOURS later, geared up and ready to go, the team piled out of the SUVs.

Raven split up and surrounded the detached house, staying in the shadows and watching for movement. Nothing. Closing in, Dex, Ryan and Donnie took the front. Tyler, Mackie, and Steve took the rear.

Ryan crouched next to Dex beside a low wall at the edge of the front lawn. It was quiet, too quiet. The house was in darkness, no vehicles outside, no movement, no noise.

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