Page 136 of Falcon’s Forever

"Didn't say you'd enjoy it," she says, and I bite back a laugh, and he gives me a look that says he's noticed I'm failing to hide it.

Vulture's phone rings. His expression changes when he sees the screen. "Rook." He answers on speaker.

"Talk."

"A black van arrived two minutes ago, it backed into the loading bay, then two men went inside."

"Anything come out?" Sterling asks.

"Not yet."

Falcon's whole posture shifts, and I watch every instinct in him wake up at once, and he doesn't move.

"What do you think?" Vulture asks him.

"They could be moving the women," he replies.

"Agreed." Vulture doesn't look away from him. "Run it. I want to see if the last few weeks stuck."

Something moves across Falcon's face, it’s too fast for me to name, before he nods once and turns back to the group.

"We don't have ten hours anymore," he says.

"No." Vulture looks at Sterling. "Your contact?"

"Ready. Haven't given the address yet."

"Give it," Falcon says.

Sterling's already dialing. Falcon turns to Vulture. "Police need probable cause fast. Rook's got visual, not confirmation of holding, we need something stronger."

Sarah steps forward. "What if they move them before that?"

"We won't let them disappear," Falcon says. "We’ve got three vehicles watching them, and if the van leaves, one follows. Nobody engages unless the women are in immediate danger."

He looks at Ice Pick. "West house. Check it. If Cara, Sarah, and Maggie approve it, lock it down."

"Then we can decide if it's a recovery point," Falcon adds, looking at me. "We."

"Okay," I say.

Ice Pick opens the SUV door for Maggie. I'm about to climb in myself when Falcon says my name. I turn.

Falcon stays where he is. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

I look at Ice Pick. He gives me a small nod, and I step a few feet away with Falcon.

“What?” I ask.

He shoves his hands into his pockets, probably to stop himself from reaching for me. “I hate this.”

“I know.”

“I hate you going anywhere connected to these people.”

“I know,” I repeat.

His jaw tightens. “I hate that I can’t put you somewhere safe and keep you there until this is over.”