Strategic Maneuvers - Jemma Westbrook Page 0,65

make any call she wishes.” Pierce’s voice was strong and loud as it boomed through the speaker.

Heidi gave her phone a smirk Vincent couldn’t see.

“I’ll be in touch.” Vincent hung up.

“He’s just a bucket full of fucking sunshine, isn’t he?” Bess eased into her chair as her skin paled.

“He’s not used to taking orders.” Mona crossed her arms as she surveyed the situation spread across the bank of monitors.

The room was quiet except for Dutch and Isaac’s occasional directions to Rico and Luca as they drove, the two vans moving together as smoothly as the men inside them did.

“Five minutes out.” Alec dealt with the men at headquarters, organizing the chaos as they raced against the clock.

Zeke’s body cam feed was replaced with the view from the camera overlooking the front gate. Mona held her breath as the seconds ticked by, watching as Gentry and the rest of the men moved into position, lining behind one of the vans used to transport teams.

“This is crazy.” Lennie stood just behind Mona, Eva, and Bess, watching with the other two women from Investigative Resources. Willa’s dark eyes were wide as one hand pressed to her mouth. Paige was a little pale, her lower lip pinched tight between her teeth.

Eva glanced back their way. “You’ll probably get used to it.” She eyed Paige’s pallid face. “Probably.”

“There they are.” Harlow was on her feet, watching as the two vans moved to the main screen. “I don’t see any sign of the Charger.”

One of Alaska’s biggest assets was also one of its biggest downfalls.

It was easy to disappear.

There were a decent number of traffic cameras in the more populated areas, but those were few and far between, which meant it was difficult to keep track of someone when you didn’t know their path.

Two men ran to the gate, pulling it open manually while four more men stood around them, guns pulled. Both vans raced through the opening, bouncing on their shocks as they took the drive at a speed that tested the limits of control and safety.

The waiting van immediately pulled across the lane, blocking the path of anyone who might try to cut through the gate before it could be fully closed.

“I don’t see anything.” Harlow’s head moved along with her eyes as she scanned the screens.

Mona’s stomach finally unclenched, the twist of fear easing as she watched the vans make their way across the security cameras.

“We’re going.” Eva was the first one moving, making her way toward the door of the office. She paused looking at Mona over one shoulder. “Come on. They get butthurt if you don’t go and tell them how big and strong and brave they are after a mission.”

CHAPTER 19

“GET THEM TO a room.” Pierce pointed toward the rooming building. “Suite six is set up and ready.” He passed one of the bags Helen brought to Zeke. “I want a man on the room around the clock until this is resolved.” He risked a glance at the young woman he’d only seen through the feed of the surveillance footage shared with him during their daily briefings. She looked so much like his sister.

So much like the mother who should have been the one to care for her instead of an inept young man who’d managed to make a mess of everything.

Amelia held his gaze, her deep blue eyes unwavering as fully-armed men ran around her, unloading the vans in case they needed to be taken out again.

In case Amelia’s other uncle decided now was the time to make his move.

“Come on, Honey.” Helen wrapped one arm around Amelia’s shoulders, directing the young girl toward the doors leading into the building.

Amelia held his eyes as she went, until there was no choice but to look in front of her as they went inside.

“She doesn’t seem too happy to not be dead.” Shawn stood at his side, peeling up the mask covering his face, leaving it rolled to the center of his forehead.

“She’s just scared.” It was the most likely explanation. It didn’t appear Helen gave Amelia any sort of a heads-up that they were going to be relocating. “She might also be in shock.” He turned to catch Abe as he walked past. “Send Eli up to check on Amelia. Make sure she’s okay.”

Abe glanced to where Amelia and Helen went into the building. “She freaking out?”

“It seems like she’s struggling.” Pierce walked toward the entrance, Shawn and Abe falling into step with him. “I don’t want this to be