Page 97 of No Mistake

Gunshots got louder and Ryan could make out footsteps getting closer. Not long now.

Tracer landed another blow to Ryan’s face. “You’re running out of time. Tell me.”

“Enough,” Ali said. "I need to get off this ship. My men can only hold them off so long.” He grabbed Sophie. “I’m taking the woman. My boss is not happy. Mr. Vitelli is not returning his calls. You have twenty-four hours to deliver our weapons or return our money. If he doesn’t, we will put a bounty so large on all of your heads, that there will be no place any of you can hide.”

“How are you getting off the ship? There is an army of men up there,” Perez challenged.

“Those men are coming for the hostages. I don’t intend to be in this cabin when they get here. As you said, someone told them where we were. So forgive me if I don’t tell you how I plan to get off. The leak is on your side not mine. My men will fight and die for the cause, to allow me to leave and continue our work. It is Allah’s will.” He nodded at his soldiers. “Go and ensure our path is clear.”

Ali hauled Sophie out of her seat. Perez grabbed her other arm and put the knife at her throat.

“You’re not taking her. She is our ticket off this ship alive. They want her alive more than they want you.”

Ryan couldn’t wait any longer. With only Ali and Perez left in the cabin, it was now or never. Breaking his restraints, he lunged forward, knocking into Tracer. Tracer fell back into Perez. They both went crashing to the floor, taking Sophie down with them.

Ryan spun, delivering a high kick to Ali’s chest before he had a chance to take aim. Ali stumbled. Taking advantage, Ryan took him down.

Ryan vaguely heard Tracer and Perez and fought the urge to look behind him for Sophie. Running steps approached the door and he prayed it was Raven. As he wrestled with Ali on the floor to get his gun, the cabin door opened. Two Reborn soldiers burst through just as Ryan pulled the trigger, launching a bullet into Ali’s chest. The barrel of a gun pressed at the back of his head.

Ryan froze and raised his hands. The two Reborn soldiers had their guns on him, too. Where the fuck was his team?

“Mr. Baxter, that was not a good move.” Tracer’s voice came from behind him. He couldn’t see Perez or Sophie behind Tracer. Tracer put an arm around his throat and pulled him back against him.

“Perez, you got the girl?” Tracer spoke over his shoulder. As Perez answered with a stream of expletives at the current situation, Tracer whispered in his ear. “We can’t wait for your team. We take the three of them now. You take Perez.”

“He fucking killed Ali. This isn’t good. Fucking kill him. We don’t need him any—” Perez’s tirade was interrupted by a cry. It startled everyone. Tracer fired at the guards and Ryan spun around in time to see Sophie stamp down on Perez’s foot and then swing her fist down, catching him right in the balls. Jesus Christ!

Ryan launched at Perez, knocking him against the wall. Perez let Sophie go, regaining his balance. Ryan trusted Tracer had taken care of the Reborn soldiers, turning his own focus to making sure Perez did not get out of here. Perez’s gun had slid across the floor out of reach. Didn’t matter; Ryan didn’t need it. Perez came at him, but he countered and got him on the ground, straddling the bastard. Drawing back his hand, he was going to enjoy teaching this asshole a lesson.

“Get her out of here, Tracer. Right now.” He did not want Sophie seeing this.

“No!” Sophie cried out while Tracer pulled her from the cabin, but Ryan ignored it. As his hand connected with Perez’s nose, the loud crack was hugely satisfying. He pulled back again.

“Don’t move.” The thickly accented voice was raspy. Ryan glanced to his side to see Ali holding a gun. The man was bleeding out from his chest, but somehow he had gotten hold of Perez’s discarded gun from the floor.

Ryan was still on top of Perez, who cupped his broken nose.

“Where’s the woman?” Ali said in a shaky voice.

“Tracer is working with them. He has the woman,” Perez said in disgust.

“Get off him,” Ali said. Ryan stood and immediately swung his arm, easily taking Ali down and grabbing his gun, shooting him in the head this time. But as he spun around to face Perez, a blade sliced through his skin, below his ribs. He glanced down in shock. Perez grabbed his wrist. Ryan wrestled, getting off a shot, but it missed. Cursing at the pain, he grabbed Perez around the throat with his free hand. Perez drove in the blade for a second time. Ryan collapsed to the floor, clutching his wounds as blood spilled out. Everything went black. Again.

RAVEN WERE ON BOARD. Holding between containers, they observed the movements of the men patrolling the deck. Dex counted eight. Four pairs walked the deck on watch. They were relaxed, guns at their sides, not expecting trouble.

“Nyx 1 you set?” Dex asked through coms.

“Raven 1, Nyx are set. On your command.” Liam’s voice came back. Nyx had boarded the opposite side of the ship.

“Let’s move,” Dex ordered. Raven and Nyx moved simultaneously down the deck. So far, they hadn’t attracted any attention, using the containers as cover, but they all knew that could change in a heartbeat. Tracer had told them where Ryan and Sophie were, but he could not confirm where the crew were being held. Both teams agreed they were most likely on the bridge or in another cabin. All the hostages in one area made it easier to guard. Nyx were tasked with securing the crew while Raven were going for their boy and his girl. Quietly and efficiently, both teams made their way along the deck and took out several soldiers, hiding them out of view.

They reached the accommodations, planning to breach both sides at the same time.

“Nyx 1, in position. You call it,” Liam advised.

“Alright, on me. No choice but to shoot. Raven will take the four by the entry door. Nyx, you got the rear.”

Dex took aim, totally calm and focused. “Execute.”

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