Rikki watched her mate disappear into the building in front of her through the scope of her rifle, terror filling her at the thought of him stuck in there with no way out. Ruthlessly, she shoved it down. Jeremiah needed her calm and steady, not a shaking mess. She had to be on the top of her game this mission, because the most important person in her life was in that facility, putting his life on the line. Blocking out the fear, Rikki clenched her jaw tightly and stared through the lens of the scope, never wavering.
He’s going to be okay, Rikki, girl. It was Phoenix, her brother, always standing behind her no matter what. Even when she’d tried to take him down in wolf form. He still loved her. She heard it, felt it in the warmth of his voice.
Nothing can happen to him.
Nothing will, Angel said quietly. We’re here.
What about on the inside? Rikki hated the tremor in her voice. Dammit, she had to be strong.
I got that covered.
Rikki froze at the declaration, her spine stiffening at the unfamiliar voice. No, that wasn’t true. She recognized it, just never thought she would hear it in her head, on a telepathic link she and her team members shared.
Nice to see you could make it to the party, Vixen, Jinx drawled.
You better get out of here, Jinx. You need to be long gone when shit goes down.
Worry about yourself, woman.
I am. You know a lot about me now that no one else does. What if you get caught? You could give me up. I would hate to have to take you out.
Touch my son, and I will tear your heart out.
There was complete silence, and then Vixen whispered, I wonder what it’s like to have someone love you the way your family does, Jinx. There was a time when I would have given anything to find out.
And now? Jinx asked quietly.
My life isn’t one I would want to share with anyone else, Vixen admitted, and Rikki could have sworn she heard a touch of sadness in the other woman’s voice. I will always be looking over my shoulder, wondering when Ebony will send someone new after me. I wouldn’t want anyone I cared about to get hurt.
Sometimes, we don’t have a choice. It was Sapphire, Steele’s sister. Rikki met her for the first time out at Angel’s farm just a few days ago, and she was impressed. Sapphire was a rock-solid shot. Every bit as good as Rikki, if not better. She liked her and her brother Bane, who was the complete opposite of the outgoing woman. Dark, brooding, quiet. He seemed to stay to himself.
Keep your premonitions for someone who deserves them, Vixen murmured. After everything I’ve done, I don’t deserve love or happiness.
Rikki’s heart hurt for the woman. She could feel her pain through the connection, even though she was sure Vixen tried to hide it. What must it have been like to be raised by the General? To be forced to do the things Vixen and Jinx had done? To live knowing you hurt and killed, that you did horrible things required of you as the General’s puppet.
Everyone should have the chance to be loved, Rikki whispered, before she could stop herself. The woman’s pain was radiating through the telepathic bond, and Rikki couldn’t ignore it. You are here, helping save the innocent lives in that building, Vixen. I don’t know you. To be honest, I don’t trust you yet. Trust has to be earned. You are one of the General’s assassins.
Was, Vixen interjected almost absently, and Rikki got the impression that she was moving stealthily. Where was she going?
Was, she conceded.
So was I. Jinx’s voice was even fainter. Are you saying that my father and Chase shouldn’t care about me after everything I’ve done? Cause I tried that. I got a fuck you out of it.
Damn straight you did, Angel growled. I don’t care what you’ve done, Son. What you’ve been forced to do. You are still mine, and I will always love you.
Same. It was Steele, his voice hard an unyielding.
No, Rikki said, her gaze narrowed on the row of windows on the first floor of the building, before going back to the door. I was saying that even though I don’t know or trust her yet, I do believe Vixen deserves to be cared for. To be loved.
What was the code Connors gave Jeremiah? Vixen interjected, obviously intent on something else.
What? Angel asked in confusion.
The guard Jeremiah was talking to before he entered the building. He gave Jeremiah a five-digit code. I need it, but I would prefer not to violate anyone’s privacy by taking it out of your head without permission.
The numbers were for you, Rikki realized, her eyes widening slightly at the knowledge, but still never leaving the scope of her rifle. Connors is on our side?
Yes, Vixen said simply, leaving it at that. The assassin was a contradiction, saying she didn’t deserve to have anyone care about her, but she obviously cared herself. She was protective of those she considered hers to keep safe, and Connors was one of hers. She wasn’t going to budge on anything else with him. Which was why she made it sound like she was alone back at Angel’s place, even though she obviously wasn’t.
One, five, three, four, six, Rikki whispered through the link, moving her rifle around the area in front of her, her eyes narrowing on someone as they slipped through the trees on the far side of the building. That better be you, Vixen.
There was a pause, and then, It is.
Rikki watched as Vixen, dressed all in black leather, made her way around the back of the building until she couldn’t see her anymore. What are you doing?
Finding a place to wait near the back door. When Kozad comes out for a smoke, which he does like clockwork every day about this time, I will slip inside.
I thought the code was to get you inside?
No, that’s to get us out.
Ebony’s calling me. I’ve got to go. Good luck. Jinx’s voice whispered through the link, and then he was gone.
Rikki heard Angel’s small gasp, even though she knew the alpha tried to keep her agony to herself. She suffered every time her son went back into the fray. With the way Rikki was feeling right now, terrified and out of control, even though she shoved that shit down as hard as she could and concentrated on protecting her mate, she completely understood.
What if they blow the place from the inside like in D.C.? Flame asked, interrupting Rikki’s chaotic thoughts.
What? Rikki gasped. What the hell are you talking about?
They won’t, Vixen replied confidently. Ebony is more hands on. She will send in her soldiers, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she came with them. She loves the action, the high that comes with the battle. She paused. Not the killing so much, though.
Bullshit, Phoenix cut in.
No, it’s the truth, Vixen insisted. The bitch isn’t afraid to slit your throat if she has to, but I don’t get the feeling she enjoys it. Well, unless she really hates you.
Do you? Rikki asked, slowly scanning the area with her scope again, before going back to the door. Do you enjoy the kill?
Sometimes, Vixen admitted. If it’s justified.
Justified?
I took out someone who slaughtered a family. Father, mother, two older children. They left behind a little girl three years of age. That one, I enjoyed.
Because you were that little girl, Rikki guessed, somehow knowing she was right.
No. Vixen was silent for a moment, and then said, Not that time.
As Rikki watched, the front door opened and a man stepped out. Short and stocky with dirty blond hair, he glanced around the area as he lit up a cigarette. Change of plans. Your man is here, but he came out the front door.
Got it.
Rikki waited patiently until he took his last drag, flicking it away from him, then went back to key in his code. You’re up, Vixen.
Already there. Vixen seemed to appear out of nowhere, catching the handle of the door just before it clicked shut. She waited a second, then slipped inside after Kozad. I’m in.