Chapter Eighty-Six

It felt like Christmas morning when Dane walked out into the living room. Not the Christmas mornings he’d had after his mother died, but the fun kind with a tree and presents and a big breakfast.

While there was no tree, there were plenty of presents. At least, of the weapons and ammunition variety. And Colton was in the kitchen fixing the big breakfast.

The thing that really made it feel like a holiday was the spirit and excitement of everyone in the house.

With one exception.

He’d heard Lena crying in the bathroom on his way down the hall. He’d wanted to knock and go in to soothe her. But the only thing that would make her feel better was a guarantee he couldn’t give.

They had even less intel than they’d had with the first raid. And like the first time, their resources would be split between the house and the yacht.

Garrett and the two borrowed marshals were taking the house. It wasn’t a sprawling estate like in Savannah, so it wouldn’t take much to check it. And with Viktor being offsite, the place wouldn’t be heavily guarded. That would leave Colton, Angel, Lena, and Dane to check Glorious Morning and keep Kulakov from getting away.

Facing Kulakov meant facing all his bodyguards.

Lena had been given the option of staying with Garrett to check the house, but she had chosen to stay with Dane. He hadn’t said anything, had let it be her decision, but he was pleased with her choice. It meant he would be right there with her if she needed him.

When she came out to join the rest of the team, she took a tiny portion of eggs and sat off to the side.

Dane filled his plate and went to sit next to her. “Are you going to be able to do this?” he asked gently.

She nodded immediately. “I’ll be ready. I just don’t know how everyone else can be so casual about this. I’m scared. Aren’t they scared?”

“Of course. We just handle it differently. We can’t let fear take over, or we would be useless. We have to put it on the back burner and deal with it when the mission’s over.”

“I don’t know how you do this constantly. I’m not just scared for me. I’m worried about you. And what if Viktor gets to Colton? Angel is so small. I know she could kick my ass, but compared to Weller or Butch…” She finished the sentence with a shudder.

“We’re all trained for this. It’s our job.”

“But Justin—”

“Bad things happen to good people every day. Let me tell you, I was in more danger in my corporate office with the great view than I am today.”

She shook her head. “That’s different.”

“You need to find a way to push it out away from you so it can’t mess you up. If you freeze up inside, that’s when it gets dangerous.”

“I think I need a minute.” She dumped her uneaten eggs in the trash and went out the back door.

An hour later, she still hadn’t come back in. He went to the back door, and when he didn’t see her, he stepped out on the small deck.

“Lena?” he called, but got no response.

Holy crap.

She was gone.