His enthusiasm is unsettling but necessary.
"The rest will hit Tane's office with me to plant the surveillance gear. In and out, quick and clean."
I make eye contact with each of them. "Watch each other's backs. At the first sign of trouble, we vanish like ghosts. No unnecessary risks. But, if the opportunity strikes to take him down while we're there, I trust your judgement to act."
They give curt nods. My team knows the stakes, how critical this mission is in our ongoing war against Tane. We have to succeed.
I roll up the schematics, the plan now finalized and clear. "Let's move out and end this, once and for all."
Resolute, we head into the night, ready to infiltrate Tane's stronghold. The darkness will conceal us as we position for the final strike against our enemy. Tane's reign ends tonight.
"No room for mistakes, people. We have one shot to cripple Tane's operation." I meet each of their eyes, seeing my own steely resolve reflected back. "When we walk out that door, we do this right. Failure is not an option."
Brick slams a fist into his palm. Skyler cracks his knuckles. Dom checks his weapon one last time.
I take a deep breath. "This is it. Let's go bust this place wide open."
We get ready to infiltrate. The hunt is on, and Tane has no idea what's coming for him. My team is prepared to end this, no matter the cost. The time has come to strike.
I take a moment to myself in the quiet command room, the only light coming from the glowing monitors that display our intel on Tane's operation. We've spent countless hours here, planning and preparing for this day. Now it's arrived.
So much is riding on this mission. Not just taking down a dangerous criminal, but proving we have what it takes to outsmart someone with endless resources. If we fail, it could unravel everything we've worked for.
I close my eyes, visualizing the route, rehearsing the plan step-by-step. We will get this right. There is no other option. Too many are depending on us.
I gatherthe team one last time before we head out into the night. I can see the anticipation in their eyes, feel the energy humming through them. Time for a final push.
"I know tensions are high, but stay focused. We've trained relentlessly to get to this moment. Tane has no idea what's coming. We're a highly skilled team with one purpose—taking him down. It won't happen in one evening, but today's efforts will get us that much closer." I make eye contact with each of them. "Trust the plan. Trust each other. We go in clean and precise. Get ready to watch this empire crumble."
They pound fists, slam guns, shout affirmations. We're amped and ready.
"Let's do this." We move toward the doors, determination burning through our veins. The hunt has almost reached its apex. Tane's reign ends soon.
Chapter twenty-nine
The neon lights of the city blur beneath me as I perch on the rooftop, dressed in black with night vision goggles tight over my eyes. My heart thrums against my ribs, the thrill of the hunt pulsing through me.
"Four guards on rotation at the gate," I mutter, peering through binoculars at the fortress below. "Cameras on all corners. You're not keeping me out, Tane."
I won't let him kidnap anyone this time. Not anymore. Or at least I'll do my fucking best. Every minute anyone spends trapped in one of Tane's compounds, their light grows dimmer. Their creative spirits smothered, their fire dampened by Tane's cruelty. Plus, Devon and Angel have been kidnapped more than enough at this point. I don't know if either of them could survive another time. Hell, I don't know if I could survive another time.
My jaw clenches. The thought of my Valkyrie down there, collared and leashed, ignites a rage in my core. Left alone with hordes of Tane's creepy ass henchmen. She deserves so much more. Freedom. Passion. Adventure. I can't let that happen to her again.
I creep along the rooftop's edge, my boots silent on the gravel. At the rear corner, I anchor my rappelling line and hook my harness.
A breath to steady mynerves. Then I'm over the side, suspended in open air. The ground spins dizzily below as I descend, swallowed by shadows.
I'm coming for your information, Tane. I'm coming. And that's just one near-final step before we put your cruel reign to an end. Put you to an end.
I touch down in the alley, gravel crunching softly beneath my boots. Crouched low, I scan the perimeter, mapping my infiltration in my mind.
There—a gap in the camera coverage near the loading dock, just like Aidan showed us on the schematics. My pulse quickens.
"Almost there, Taney-tane," I whisper into the night. "Stay distracted for me."
I slip from shadow to shadow, all of my senses heightened.
The guards pace obliviously, assault rifles slack in their hands. Fools. They have no idea what's coming.