is called terrorism and wins the user many years of free meals behind bars.”
“Oh. Okay,” Frankie said in a faint voice.
Gabe looked over. “Gear up, bro.”
“Yeah.” Bull grabbed a body-armor vest in dark camo.
Around him, his brothers and JJ were doing the same.
In the short time before arming up, Gabe and Caz made calls and pulled strings. They’d done all they could, and now it was up to Audrey to organize the incoming health professionals, social services, and law enforcement. Bull didn’t worry; the woman was superb at juggling resources.
Lillian and Dante had already left, taking Regan with them. His niece would spend the night with her bestie.
The two seniors were recruiting trustworthy people and getting them to the right place at the right time. The plan called for a lot of volunteers, some for the distraction, others to guide the women and children out. Even more would help transport everyone to town.
The mission was organized with Gabe’s usual attention to detail. They’d penetrate the compound during the darkest hours of the night—between 1:00 and 3:30 a.m. Before and after that, the twilight-gray sky would be too light for covert endeavors.
The narrow window of opportunity was worrisome.
“If we—” Bull’s mind stuttered to a stop.
Frankie was trying on a small bulletproof vest—the one Caz had worn as a skinny teenager.
Jesus fuck. “What are you doing?” He thought that was a very reasonable question.
“You’re all wearing body armor. I thought you’d want me to wear one, too.”
“I would if you were going on this op. But you’ll be in town with Audrey and coordinating the agencies.” Bull’s voice hadn’t risen; he was sure it hadn’t, but Caz turned away hastily with a smothered snicker.
“Shh.” JJ punched the doc in the belly.
“Frankie, you’ll be in town. Safe in town,” Bull repeated, in case she didn’t understand what he’d just said.
“No. I’m going with you to the compound.” Frankie settled the vest on her shoulders.
Bull’s gut clenched like he’d eaten a barrel of green apples. Like his woman had just told him she planned to walk into what would likely turn into a fucking firefight. “No. No, you’re not.”
When she rolled her eyes and eyed the handguns, he turned to the one person to whom she might listen. “Gabe. You’re in charge.”
His brother folded his arms over his chest and eyed Frankie. “Convince me.”
“Easy enough.” She set her hands on her hips like Mom had done when squaring off against Dad. Bull’s heart gave a painful twang.
“You guys are huge, even before you add the armor. All in black. Deadly.” Frankie shook her head, frowned, and started to braid her hair back. “You’re forgetting these women have been abused. Why in the world would they go with you? You’re going to come across as even more terrifying than the cult fanatics.”
Bull opened his mouth, closed it. Cleared his throat. “We’ll tell Kit that you sent us.”
“Maybe she would believe you…eventually.” Frankie looked at Gabe. “In that plan of yours, did you build in time to explain matters?”
The sour expression on Gabe’s face said she was right.
She’d be coming with them.
“God-fucking-son-of-a-bitch.” Bull heard the echo off the walls and winced. Hell, that was his raised voice.
Frankie didn’t even flinch, just chuckled. “I love you, too. And I know I’m no soldier, and I’m scared spitless, but I need to be there so Kit trusts you. If she does, maybe the rest will, too.”
She loved him. Said it out loud in front of his brothers. Fuck, but he’d never tire of hearing that no matter how many years they lived.
She was scared…and going along anyway. Her loyalty to a friend left him in awe.
Bull gripped her arms, and the feeling of her tense muscles was its own reassurance. She did know how to fight. Could hold her own. He leaned his forehead against hers. “Jesus, woman.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Hauling in a breath, he fixed her with a hard stare. “You’ll obey orders. From Gabe, me, Caz, Hawk, and JJ. Immediately. No questions or arguments. Immediately.”
She glanced at the weaponry covering the armory walls. Her lips tilted slightly. “Don’t worry, orsacchiotto. I know when I’m at the bottom of the rank and file.”
Chapter Twenty-One
If you are going through hell, keep going. ~ Winston Churchill
Frankie’s world had shrunk to the narrow trail and to Bull who was in front of her. Thank heavens she’d become proficient at hiking while wearing her night vision monocular. Using her jo as a walking stick also helped.
As she’d learned on her previous forays,