to the stairs without incident. Praying nothing would alert the guard, Owen twisted the knob and slipped inside the stairwell. The narrow passageway was lit by a low-watt bulb screwed into a socket in the ceiling.
Jackson followed him with a tranquilizer gun in his hand. Rafe fell in behind the medic, closing the door without a sound.
Owen hugged the wall as he descended the stairs, weapon up and ready. Hopefully, the guard wouldn’t decide to go for a midnight snack while the tracker team was in the stairwell. If they were discovered, they wouldn’t have anywhere to go.
He approached the landing with caution. The stairwell turned sharply. Owen signaled for Jackson and Rafe to wait while he checked the next section of stairs.
With his back pressed against the wall, he peered around the corner. The stairwell ended at an open archway entrance to the basement.
He signaled for Jackson to come ahead. Seconds later, he and Jackson made their way to the bottom of the stairs.
The medic moved into the archway, aimed the tranquilizer gun, and pulled the trigger. The dart plunged into the guard’s shoulder.
The man arched and grunted. He reached over his shoulder and removed the dart. Eyes wide, he stood, reaching for his weapon. The guard pulled the Glock from his holster, but his eyes glazed as the fast-acting drug hit his system.
Jackson surged forward and caught him before he dropped. He eased the unconscious man to the floor. “Guard’s down,” Jackson whispered.
“Which room, Zane?” Owen murmured. His gaze swept the basement. There were three rooms on the south wall.
“Center.”
With Rafe keeping watch at the top of the stairs, Owen crossed the remaining distance to the center room. He turned the knob. Locked. Trusting his teammates to watch his back, he holstered his Sig and went to work with his lock picks. Seconds later, the tumblers moved with a soft snick. After sliding his tools away, Owen twisted the knob and opened the door.
A soft gasp came from the opposite side of the room. “Can’t you leave us alone for more than an hour?” a feminine voice demanded.
Relief swept through Owen. He’d recognize Toni’s voice anywhere. “It’s Owen Montgomery.”
Silence, then, “Gigi’s Owen?”
His lips curved. He liked that description. “Yeah.”
“How did you find us?”
“I’ll tell you later. I’ve brought friends with me. One of them is a medic. Are you injured?”
“A few bruises.” Her breath hitched. “Those creeps beat Ellis when he wouldn’t do what they wanted.”
“Is he conscious?” If he wasn’t mobile, rescuing him would be more difficult, especially since they didn’t know if he had internal injuries.
“He’s been in and out of consciousness since their last visit.” Toni sounded bitter.
“Time,” Eli whispered through the comm system.
Jackson moved past Owen. “Toni, I’m Jackson, the medic. Are you mobile?”
“I’m okay. I could use a pain reliever, but I’m fine.”
“Good. I’ll take a quick look at your boyfriend, then we’ll get you out of here.” The medic glanced at Owen. “I need light.”
Since he hadn’t seen a window when he entered the room, Owen flipped on the light. Toni’s cheek was bruised and her lip swollen. Otherwise, she appeared unhurt.
Owen knelt beside her. “Gigi’s been worried sick about you. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Help Ellis.”
“Jackson is a great medic. He’ll take good care of your boyfriend.” He cupped her chin and turned Toni’s head to see her face better. “You’ll have a shiner in a few hours. Did they hit you anywhere else?”
She laid a hand on her ribs. “Here.”
Possible cracked ribs. He’d leave the examination to Jackson once they were safe. “What about your stomach? Gigi told me about the baby.”
Toni shook her head.
“Good. When we’re in the air, we’ll find pain meds safe for you and your baby, and ice packs for the swelling.”
“How will we escape? Guards are everywhere.”
Owen squeezed her hand. “I brought plenty of help. Do you know if Ellis told Wagner anything important?”
Another head shake. “That’s why he looks bad. He refused to talk.” Toni swallowed hard. “They threatened to beat me next if he didn’t tell Wagner what he wanted to know. Is Gigi okay?”
“A little banged up.”
Jackson looked at Owen. “We can move Ellis. Whoever beat him knew what he was doing. The injuries are painful, but superficial. We’ll have a doctor check him to confirm once we’re stateside, though.”
“Is he mobile?”
A slurred male voice said, “With a little help, I can walk. Just make sure Toni’s protected.”
“We’ll take care of both of you. Eli, we’re ready.”
“Copy. Watch your back. There