Steel settles in Kane’s chest as they say their goodbyes.
His territory, his crew, his man.
He’ll fight to keep them all, even if it means learning to loosen his grip.
21
Chapter 21 - Kane
The cracked floorboards groan beneath Kane’s boots as he shifts his weight, bracing a hand on the windowsill. Ten stories down if this place gives, but the view’s worth the risk.
From this rotting old government office, he has an optimal view of the remnants of a medical checkpoint from the Collapse. Echo’s intel says Athena and Natural Order are using it to stash weapons. It’s almost too easy.
He shoulders the pulse rifle and peers through the scope. On the ground below, Viper’s squad sweeps the perimeter while Wren’s team waits in the alley. A cluster of Coda’s drones drifts near the wall, following Echo as she slinks up to a boarded-up window.
Fingers twitching at his side, Kane leans back. He glances at Coda behind him, guiding the swarm from a portable control rig. Projected in front of him are holographic screens, keeping tabs on the crew in real time.
“All units in position,” Viper crackles in his ear. “Royal 8 kept their word. Coast is clear.”
He taps the side of his visor. “Good work, Echo.”
The words are strange on his tongue. But Echo pulled off something he didn’t think was possible, got a rival crew to let them operate in their territory. Against a mutual threat, but still, it’s not something he would normally agree to.
“Wow, boss man,” Echo chuckles. “High praise. I really like this new—”
“Cut the chatter and get ready,” Kane cuts her off and checks the scope one last time.
Two Natural Order members guard the alley entrance, a drone already trained on them. Four more sit tied up at the far end of the street under Wren’s watch. Through the scope, four heat signatures burn inside the warehouse. Armed and waiting, like Viper’s crew.
Everything’s lined up, but Kane can’t shake the itch to move. If things go south, all he can do is bark orders and watch it fall apart.
But if Kane can’t trust his lieutenants to run a mission without hovering, how is he supposed to make time for Rafael?
“Echo, Coda.” Kane draws a breath. “Move in.”
The lieutenants move the instant the signal drops. Echo slices through the side window with her laser while Coda’s swarm dives toward the entrance guards. They freeze in shock, bows half-drawn, but the drones are faster.
Tranquilizer darts hiss through the air, dropping a few where they stand. The rest reel away, only to be caught by the backup drones deploying an EMP net that crackles across their metal wings. Shouts rise from the trapped guards, cut short as Echo lobs a grenade through the breach.
A smirk tugs at Kane’s mouth as smoke spills through the cracks of the outpost. But that familiar tightness returns fast. This is only phase one. Too early to breathe.
“Viper, go!” he orders.
“Moving in,” Viper calls back, gesturing for his team to follow down below.
With Pixie covering their flank, the enforcers sweep around the building toward the front. As they round the corner, three robed Natural Order members stagger out of the door, coughing through the smoke. By the time they recover, Viper’s people have them surrounded, weapons leveled. The trio drops to their knees without a fight.
Clean and precise. Exactly as he trained them. Then the feeling curdles. Only alarm bells ring in his head.
One, two, three—
A Natural Order member is missing. Kane points the scope toward the outpost. Another heat signature flares. Right where Pixie and Viper are headed.
His heart lurches. He should’ve been down there. Could’ve stopped this.
Before he can warn them, the missing member bursts through the door. Robe flaring behind her, she clutches a flamethrower in shaky hands, wearing an old antique oxygen mask.
Fire gushes from the nozzle, sweeping low and wide. Viper’s crew dives for cover, some behind debris and others snapping up their energy shields just in time.