Moth(69)

We sit back and watch the infamous Alizar take his place amongst his guests. They shake hands and head inside of the main house located on the center of the property. The boat operator takes off in the direction he came from while the second person onboard stands guard at the front entrance of the house.

There is a man posted at the shack and two more down at the pier. At the angle we’re positioned I’m not sure exactly where Renner and House have taken up residence, but I know they’re close.

My heart is beating a million miles a minute. I’m sweating like a f*cking pig, determined that no matter what happens I’m putting an end to this bastard’s reign.

I motion for Nina to stay behind me as we slowly make our way through the camouflage vegetation. Sounds of nature, animals and bugs surround the vicinity making it easy to sneak close without alarming the guards. I can’t be sure, but I have a feeling Alizar doesn’t suspect this. There aren’t enough men to protect him, and he’s never been anywhere we were able to see him this close up. I’m excited, but petrified this could be a trap. We’re so close to victory, but that ill feeling overwhelms me. I worry I’m going to puke.

Shaking it off as nerves, I pull out my flashlight and signal twice in the direction Renner and House should be. I see two flashes back and wait while looking to my right. If all goes well the other team will be in position and the flashes will get back to us from the opposite side. It takes a few seconds until I witness the two flashes. I’m not sure if it’s Malone and Cowboy or the other guys they’ve brought with them, but they are at least where they need to be. I flash my light three times in the direction of Renner and House and when it comes all the way back to me I know it’s time to move in.

Normally we would take precautions to save the innocent people, but after a day of surveillance we’ve only seen his trusted employees coming and going. I’m sure he has housekeepers and cooks in the home, but their loyalty lies with a criminal, so I don’t guarantee anything.

We make it up until we’re in close proximity of the house. The guard at the front door is looking down at his cell phone. I lean into Nina’s ear and whisper. “I’m going to take him out. Keep your eyes on the other guy at the shack. Make sure he doesn’t notice.”

She nods and I kiss her forehead before sauntering toward the target. I’m not going to wait until I’m feet away. Instead I make a chirp sound and plant the bullet right between his eyes. He falls to the ground lifeless, and as I rush over to drag his body away, I see something out of the corner of my eye. It’s Nina. She’s running toward the shack with her gun up in the air. I watch the guard go down and her rush inside the building after her brother. “Damn,” I say under my breath. Nico is the least of my concerns. We need to capture Alizar first. I’m forced to make a quick decision. I wave my team toward the front of the house and have them prepare to barge through the door. When House and Renner take charge I rush over to the shack to be sure Nina is okay. I know I’m making a mistake, but I have to know she’s safe. With only seconds to spare before I’m needed in the main house, I burst through the door of the small building and realize this isn’t a rescue at all. Nina is standing facing me. Her eyes are wide with fear and regret. Everything around me ceases to exist. It’s just us and the person with the gun up to her temple. I’d know his face anywhere.

Loud gunfire startles me. It’s coming from outside. Once again it’s an ambush. He led us here and now he’s going to take us out one at a time, starting with the person I’ve come to care about the most.

Tears are streaming down her face. She’s petrified this is the end and I don’t know how to tell her it isn’t. “It’s finally a pleasure to meet your acquaintance,” Alizar announces with a deep accent. “Too bad the circumstances weren’t different, Agent Douglas.”

“Fuck you!”

“Lower the weapon or I put a bullet in your girlfriend’s pretty little head.” This man has no regard for family or loyalty. Money has consumed him. He is greedy and powerful, to the point of thinking he’s invincible. We’re in the way and he’s determined to make sure we’re no longer a problem.

I’m aiming at his head, but he keeps moving behind Nina to keep me from taking the shot. I can’t take the chance that I’m shaking and accidently hit her instead.

“Take him out, Moth. Do it. Take the shot! This bastard needs to die.” Nina wants me to have justice. She wants me to be the one to put a bullet in his head.

“Last chance, Agent Douglas. Drop the weapon or watch her brains redecorate this place. It’s your choice.”

I have to weigh my options. Which do I want more, justice or … what’s the word – LOVE? Justice or love.

I know what has to be done, what I can’t ignore that has been growing since I first laid eyes on her.

I surrender and place my gun on the ground. There’s another one behind my back, but I’m not about to risk Nina’s life until I know he’s distracted. “This isn’t about the girl. Let her go and you can put that bullet anywhere you want in me. I’m giving my life for hers. She deserves a second chance, while I have nothing holding me back. Do it. You know it’s what you want. I’m the one you’ve wanted this whole time. Here’s your chance. Stop being a bitch and do it.”