Rhett

Cleo and her team went to the side of the warehouse, while Frank and his team blew up the back wall as planned. Blowing up the back wall would cause less damage and less chance of anyone getting hurt, or so we’d thought. I hadn’t anticipated ISAN West being there to aid the mission. Therefore, we were outnumbered.

No biggie. We had the advantage of surprise. We’d be fine.

Ozzie and Reyna wanted to come, but I wouldn’t let them. They were still recovering. Besides, this was supposed to be easy in and out.

Don’t panic. You can do this. Stick with the plan.

My racing pulse eased a bit when I saw Ava and her team coming toward me, but something was wrong. She seemed less coordinated and struggled to move her legs, tripping over herself. There were many possibilities to explain this. She might have fallen and just got up, or the blast had thrown her off. But ...

Gunfire, broken crates, and unexpected fire blocked her way. More liquid drained out and bottles shattered. Zen hadn’t known the warehouse stocked wine.

Okay. No problem. Don’t Panic. Go to Plan B—Cleo.

Hansh and Miguel covered the back with Frank while Owen came with me.

The ground shook when the second wall blew. I had been too late to warn Cleo about the alcohol. How much firepower had she used? Cleo sometimes went overboard. I rushed to her, but she was crouched against a beat-up tractor and no Ava.

Unfortunately for the ISAN assassins, I circled the opposite side and ended up behind them. To my horror, I saw a small someone with dark hair standing before me with her Taser aimed at ISAN guards.

Momo! How dare she put her life on the line?

I almost bellowed in fury but clamped my lips together. I didn’t want to give her away. Too late. One guy turned. Before I could fire a shot, Momo ducked, rolled, and knocked him to the ground.

Momo shot him and shot the second one. Then she kicked high, connecting with the third guy’s face. She dove to the ground to escape gunfire and then twisted to shoot one pointing a weapon at her. After that, Momo slid between the fifth guy’s legs and shot him from behind.

I tried to get a shot in—so did Cleo—but everything happened too swiftly. She moved rapidly. So fast. I was worried I would shoot her. But damn. She had her enemies down. Had she been injected with Helix?

“Momo!”

She seemed more scared by my tone and expression than she did the ISAN assassins.

“What the hel—” I stopped myself. No swearing in front of kids. I had to be a role model. “What are you doing here? I told you to stay put.”

She backed away as I strode toward her.

Cleo came between us. “I’m sorry about the fire. I didn’t know.”

“It’s not your fault. None of us knew.”

“But did you see Momo? See what she did?”

“Yeah. Who gave her Helix?”

“I told you I’m good. I may be little, but I’m fast and smart.” Momo crossed her arms. “I don’t need Helix. I have natural ability.”

I didn’t have time to argue. “Whatever you say, kid. Now go back to the glider before I pick you up myself.”

She scoffed and shoved her hands on her hips. “Like you can. I’d like to see you try.”

This brat was going to drive me nuts.

“The people you are waiting for are still inside. I can hear them.” Momo’s voice softened, worry tugging her face.

“You can hear them?”

I arched my brows. Roaring fire bellowing filled the air. That was the craziest thing I’d heard her say so far. I didn’t have time for games. I admired her courage, but she’d better not get in the way.

Then I’d thought about the girls in the news and what Momo said. I don’t need Helix. I had to dismiss it for now. Time was running out.

Where was Ava, and what was taking her so long? All shots had been exchanged outside the perimeter of the fire. I couldn’t see past the flames. I tried to go through, but our suits weren’t fireproof.

“You can climb the crates, they’ll hold you. I’ll go get something. I’ll be right back.” Owen took off to the glider.

I was just about to ask Owen to get something for the fire, but he beat me to it. Quick thinking. I liked that guy.

Smoke rolled through the building and flames spread. Every second that passed with no sign of Ava felt like an hour.

I couldn’t stand it. I climbed on the first wooden crate, then hopped to the adjacent one. It was scorching hot and the bottom caught fire, but I didn’t care. Ava was in there, and I wasn’t going to leave without her.

I went up as far as I could, but the rising smoke covered my view. Red and orange flames licked the walls and covered the ceiling. My eyes stung. My lungs burned. I couldn’t stop coughing.

Oh hell.

“Ava!” I yelled, but my voice got lost in the din of fighting and flames. I caught smoke again and coughed relentlessly.

When Owen came back, I draped a fire repellant blanket over myself and prepared to rush through.

“Rhett, no!” Cleo yanked me aside. “Are you crazy?”

There was no time to argue or explain. I pushed past her and my breath caught in my throat. Four people rushed out. Ava and her friends—more friends than I had expected.

Owen and Cleo sprinted to the guy who was supporting an unconscious girl, while I bolted toward Ava, along with the girl holding her. Ava’s eyes opened and closed, and she tried to tell me something. Something about Helix, fire, and Brooke, but nothing made sense.

Slapping the girls with the blanket, I put out the lingering flames, muttering prayers of thanks for making it out alive.

“I’ve got you, babe.” I lifted Ava in my arms.

“Hi. I’m Tamara,” Ava’s friend gasped between coughs.

Her face was sooty and hair dusted with ashes.

“Keep a gun pointed at the guy, Gene. Or sedate him.” She gestured toward him. “I’m sorry I had to bring him. I couldn’t carry two. Besides, you’ll need his blood sample. I believe Ava and Brooke have been injected with HelixB88.”