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One eye on Avery, Mason folded his arms across his chest and waited for Paige to dazzle them all one more time.
Paige held up her sleek device. “I’ve been working on a little something extra, just for this occasion.”
Mason watched, intrigued, as she tapped a button on the side of the box. A soft, pulsing hum filled the air, and he felt a tingle of anticipation run down his spine.
No—it was more than a tingle. It was a heavy wave of … energy.
“Ultrasonic frequency generator,” Paige explained. “It sends out pulses of low frequency sounds. Ultra-low frequency infrasound. They’ll disorient anyone within a 50-foot radius, making it harder for them to focus or coordinate their movements. It’ll be like being drunk. Very drunk.”
Graham scratched his chin. “What about us?”
Tai snapped his fingers. “Noise cancelling headphones.”
Paige pointed straight at him. “A point for the tall man. The headphones are over-ear. They won’t interfere with our comlinks.”
Tai whistled. “This isn’t your grandma’s mission.”
Mason’s eyebrows shot up, impressed by Paige’s ingenuity. He glanced at Avery and saw the same look of admiration on her face.
“That’s brilliant,” she said. “So we’ll have a window of opportunity to slip past the guards while they’re off-balance.”
Mason nodded, his expression serious. “Exactly. But we’ll still need to be careful.” He eyed Paige. “You think the effect’ll last long enough for us to get them tied up?”
The computer expert didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely.”
He turned to Tai. “I want you on overwatch.”
Tai nodded, his fingers already dancing over his keyboard. “Got it, boss. I’ll have eyes on the perimeter and the interior.”
Mason looked around the room, his gaze settling on each member of the team in turn. These were the people he trusted with his life, the ones who had his back no matter what. “We get in, get the evidence, and get out. No heroics, no unnecessary risks. Understood?”
A chorus of nods and murmurs of assent filled the room. Avery looked equally determined.
She reached out, taking his hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ve got this,” she said, her voice steady and sure.
A rush of warmth zinged through him, almost as powerful as Paige’s Phantom.
But the excitement was short-lived. Paul slapped a hand down on the table, his eyes wide and determined. “I’m coming with,” he announced.
Mason stiffened. “Absolutely not.”
Avery shook her head. “Paul, it’s too dangerous. You’re a civilian.”
But Paul, being Paul, doubled down on that stubborn glare he perfected in the second grade. “I know that warehouse better than any of you. I can help.”
“Help?” Mason scoffed. “More like get yourself killed.”
“You don’t even know me. I’m not helpless,” Paul shot back, his chin jutting out defiantly. “I know the risks, and I’m willing to take them.”
Mason opened his mouth to argue, but to his surprise, Tai spoke up. “The kid’s got a point, Mace. His background knowledge could be invaluable.”
Graham nodded. “Agreed. We could use all the intel we can get.”
Mason looked to Avery for support, but she just shrugged helplessly. “They’re not wrong. Paul’s insights could give us a real edge.”
He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Fine. But you’re staying outside as a lookout and getaway driver only. You can guide the team over the comlink. No arguments.”
Paul’s face lit up, and he nodded eagerly. “I hear you. That’s fair.”
