man’s hand came up in reaction to the pain, Logan dropped to the ground and swiped his legs out.
Siegel lost his balance, gun waving in the air.
Macy didn’t hesitate, he fired three bullets, hitting Siegel in the chest.
Siegel stumbled, but didn’t go down. The bullets weren’t doing any damage. The fucker was wearing a vest.
Another echo of gunfire followed and a small spot appeared on Siegel’s forehead.
Macy shot a quick glance to his right and found Storm.
Storm lowered the gun he’d used to put a bullet perfectly in the center of Tony Siegel’s forehead. Yeah, the sniper was a much better shot than any of them.
Siegel crumpled to the ground and Logan spun, kicking the perp’s gun away.
It had all happened in a matter of seconds.
Macy flew across the hallway and then Logan was holding him tight.
“You had a plan.”
Logan huffed. “Always.”
He’d known it, but his heart was still racing. Bullets cleaved into the doorway next to them and the group plastered back against the wall again.
“Not out of the woods yet,” Logan grumbled and then said over his head to Storm, who stood next to them, “Thank you.”
“Yes,” Macy said to the silent mountain. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” Storm rasped and carefully stepped past them, moving in the direction of the gunfire. Wild was on the man’s six.
They cleared rooms across the third floor as they worked their way through the warehouse, finding a few perps that quickly gave it up when they learned Siegel was dead and therefore, they had no paycheck.
Macy could have laughed if he hadn’t been so shaken from almost losing Logan. He kept one hand touching Logan as they moved, just to reassure himself that Logan was alive.
Reaching the end of the warehouse, they found a trail of bodies. Macy stood open mouthed, but he couldn’t help it.
There must have been ten perps sitting zip-tied and gagged, some injured and some not from the three-man team. Jaxon, Hayden, and Brick had literally cleaned fucking house.
“About time you all showed up,” Jaxon drawled.
“You said there were two,” Macy managed to say and Jaxon grinned at him.
“Siegel’s dead,” Logan responded.
“No shit?” Hayden asked.
“No shit. Courtesy of the big guy there,” Macy said with a jerk of his thumb at Storm.
Storm grimaced and tucked his gun away.
Wild laughed and patted his husband on the back. “My hero.”
Storm was a hero, and Macy would forever be in the man’s debt.
Logan’s arm slipped around his waist and drew him out of the way as SWAT filled the room.
It felt almost surreal that Siegel’s reign of terror was finally over.
“That was too close.” He fisted his hands in Logan’s shirt.
Logan drew him close and held him tight.
They regrouped back at Logan’s office building, on the third floor. Everyone, including DPD who had been instrumental in the cross-task force operation, stood gathered around for a small, informal debriefing. This gathering was more for them, for friends, and for family.
Hitch stood at a table filling shot glasses with whiskey and some with sparkling cider and encouraged them all to take a glass.
There was a long, solemn few minutes when they raised their glasses in honor of the fallen men.
“Both Frank and Stanton saved my life,” Macy began and raised his glass. “They will forever be heroes.”
“Here, here!” Nathan lifted his glass high, tears welling in his eyes.
Whip Tauber lifted his glass. “Stanton and I knew each other from college. He was an honorable man. He could kick my ass, and that’s no small feat.” There were murmurs of agreement and even a chuckle or two before Whip turned to the man standing at the back of the room.
“Mac, Stanton and I graduated the US Marshals’ academy together. Of course, Mac came in late because he was wavering about joining the FBI.” Whip made a face.
“Hey now, don’t hate,” Alexander grumbled, and the room broke out in laughter.
Mac Mackenzie pushed from the wall, the man had yet to say a word since he’d arrived, but he did so now.
“Stanton was a good friend of mine. He left this world doing what he loved. Be happy with the memories he gave us.” Mac glanced at him and lifted his shot glass.
“So, let us drink,” Macy said around the tightness in his throat. “Not only for Frank and Stanton, but for all the men and women who have given their lives to save another in harm’s way.”
As a collective whole, the room lifted their drinks high, those closest to one another tapped their glasses.
He downed