Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,17

area. Inside, people were working at a row of monitors.

“Status.” He walked over to Sergeant Samantha Kimpton, Infinity’s dispatcher, and picked up the chart on the edge of her desk.

“Fury has just entered the area, sir,” she responded.

“And Infinity?”

“They’ve taken position on the outskirts,” Sergeant Craig Truman responded from his spot next to Sam.

Liam picked up a headset. “Get Maddox on the line.” Elijah had returned to Crumpet on personal business.

“Roger that.” Sam sent the alert and connected him to Captain Stone.

“Sir?”

“Fury is lead on this.”

Maddox sighed. “I know. I don’t like it, but I know.”

“Good. The situation is too unstable to have Infinity go in, but they’ll need you when they come out.”

“Understood,” Maddox replied.

He tossed down the headset and pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off worry, but it didn’t help.

Sam reached over and flipped the switch that kept the sound on as well as what Infinity was seeing from the camera attached to River’s helmet. The compound looked deserted, but Liam knew it was anything but. It had taken several days for Fury to locate Bowman. The man and his crew were inside with possible hostages.

While he could see what Infinity saw, Fury had no such monitor. The only communication was between the three men. It kept fuckups to a minimum.

He really should have told Spencer he was in charge of Fury, but he hadn’t had the heart to potentially sour the evening. If he were being completely honest, he feared Spencer would back away if he found out.

Their renewed friendship was still fresh and frankly unstable. He hadn’t wanted to risk ending what they’d started because he was the man’s commander. Last year, Liam had offered Spencer a spot in Infinity and had been turned down flat, making it very clear he didn’t want to report to him.

“Vehicle approaching,” River’s voice came through the com and the camera attached to his helmet turned, affording the command center a view of the jeep.

Several men stepped out of the jeep and entered the compound. Five in total, business men carrying briefcases and wearing expensive suits.

“Infinity, move in closer to the perimeter and hold new position,” Liam ordered.

“Is that Bowman’s buyer?” Sam murmured.

“Possibly.” He stared at the screen as if he could see inside the building and know Spencer was okay. He had to trust at this point; those three men were some of the toughest and highest skilled in the military.

In the distance, sudden gunfire irrupted and light flashed inside of the building.

“Shots fired!” Maddox shouted.

Sergeant Samantha Kimpton swiveled in her seat, her gaze locked on him. He gave her a quick nod.

Sam spun in her chair and gave the order.

“Infinity, move in.”

“Roger that, base,” Maddox returned and gave the order to the rest of the team.

Through the darkened night, the compound lit up again. The flash of gunfire brightened the darkened sky to the east side. Infinity broke out in a run, converging on the building.

Liam snatched up his headset, too impatient to wait.

“Report when Fury has been informed Infinity is on site,” he snapped.

“Roger,” Maddox grunted.

Through the camera attached to River’s helmet, he watched as Infinity moved in.

Several tense moments went by. From his end, all he could hear was shouting, gunfire, and the sound of war. It fucking sucked, and for a moment, he actually missed being out there. At forty-five, though, and too many years out of the field, he’d be nothing but a hindrance.

Maddox shouted orders and the sound of gunfire and running filled the mic and the camera wobbled. Attached to a rope, the captain scaled the wall and leaped onto the balcony. River followed Maddox along with the rest of Infinity.

The backup camera on Infinity’s jeep gave an alternate view of the parking lot. From the corner of the building, three men shot out and ran with one lone man hot on their asses.

From the way the black figure flew over the ground, he’d bet money it was Spencer. Two more black figures emerged and charged after the first. The three were lost to view once they left the floodlight lit area around the building. From there, they disappeared into the surrounding trees.

While most of Infinity was inside the building, three soldiers charged from an open door and followed the group into the trees.

Liam stood watching the screen. It was several long, tension-filled minutes before Maddox and what was left of Infinity returned to the parking lot.

“Scene’s secure,” Maddox said.

“Roger that, Alpha team,” Sam replied.

Liam released a hard breath,