Page 87 of Fighting for Family

CHAPTER 28

Saint clicked his comms. “Operation Leo has now commenced. When Rayven gives the signal, we go. Sitrep.

“Eagle Two right behind you,” Shadow reported.

“Eagle Three and companion check,” Cole said.

“Eagle Four in position,” Ragu responded.

“Eagle Five on my way to Eagle Four and Six,” Patch informed them.

“Eagle Six waiting for his slow ass,” Knight replied.

“Eagle Seven and Eagle Eight have a clear view,” Jake said over the comms, making Saint chuckle. The two older men were determined to help.

“Victoria here. I really don’t like this woman. Are you sure I can’t torture her a little?”

“Keep the chatter to a minimum,” Saint reminded her. “And use the call sign.”

“Why?” Victoria argued. “I want them to know I’m here. I want them to remember I’ll be back if they hurt another of my friends.”

“Damn it, Victoria. We talked about this. You can’t make her balance on one foot and drink hot coffee. She’ll get burned. Eagle…fuck, I don’t remember what number I am.”

“I know it’ll burn her. I made it extra hot. They make things so complicated. When will they learn a name instills fear? By the way, that was Ivan. Eagle Ten.”

Saint rubbed his forehead, debating whether to cut their comms.

“You can’t. We may need them,” Shadow whispered behind him. “I know what you’re thinking, brother. Don’t do it.”

Glancing back at Doc and Taco, he nodded.

A big boom shook the ground beneath them, signaling Rayven’s distraction. The team took off, running down the path where she stood.

They followed her into the back of a cave and down a pair of wooden steps. Amena stood waiting to take them to their leader.

“I must signal my team,” Rayven told Shadow. “You’re on your own. You never saw me.”

“What if I need to get in touch with you?” he asked.

She grinned and said, “When you find me, give me a tweet.” She turned to the doctor. “Hurry, Amena. The others are waiting.”

“Follow me,” Amena said, motioning them through the tunnel. Shadow took out his flashlight to see which way she headed.

“Remember the pattern,” Saint said. “Right, right, left and right, if we get separated.”

“We’re not getting separated again,” Shadow vowed.

Amena stopped and pointed toward a wooden slab. An old man with a beard lay on it, appearing on his deathbed.

“It’s him. Your friend, Leo,” Amena said, encouraging them forward before leaving.

“Doc, you better go first,” Saint ordered.

Entering the small space, Doc leaned over the frail man dressed in orange pants and a yellow shirt. His beard covered most of it. His hair fell over his shoulders, and his eyes remained closed.

Doc’s heart raced as he put his hand to his neck to check for a pulse. Leo’s eyes slowly opened and widened at the sight of his best friend.

“Leo,” he breathed before he turned back to the team. “He’s a sack of bones, but he’s alive,” Doc announced.