The Revenge (The Insiders Trilogy #3)(79)

We were in the east side of the house, so we had three options: front, back, kitchen.

The front would be too vulnerable to a frontal assault. The same with the back end of the house. But the kitchen … I wished I had Bailey’s memory. I tapped Harden’s shoulder in front of me. He held his hand up. The rest of our group paused .

I typed out my thoughts on my phone and held up the screen. It was turned on night mode and dimmed, so when he read it, none of us were worried a sudden flash of light would alert anyone else in the house.

Does the kitchen have two exits?

He frowned.

I pulled my phone back and typed again.

Two are in the back. They’re surrounding the kitchen. Above, below, behind, in front.

He knew what I was saying. My brother was the one in the kitchen, but instead of replying or making a decision, he raised my phone so the computer team would be able to read it. The camera was hooked on his night vision goggles.

A second later, we heard in our ears, “The kitchen has two exits. A door and hallway connects to the garage. There’s also a door leading to the backyard. The two heat signatures are on the back patio.”

The voice added, “You have one minute to get out. Decide and go.”

Harden made a hand motion, signaling to the rest of the team.

The four behind me moved ahead.

We’d decided.

Harden had a hand on my shoulder, and he held me in place. Once his men were lined up against the wall, he walked me past them. At the opening, he tapped me twice on the back.

I was to go.

He raised a hand in front of his camera. In sync with his motions, the voice in our ears said, “Three. Two.”

I walked out.

“What the— ”

It was enough.

The guards in the living room were alerted first, but they were confused by the sight of me. My men used that second. They rushed forward, getting the jump on them, and I ran into the next room. When I went into the kitchen, I understood their shock. Chase? We still hadn’t been officially introduced to each other, but Chase was handcuffed to a chair. He had restraints around almost every part of his body. Looking at him, I searched for signs of abuse. I saw nothing. He looked fine. No bags of exhaustion under his eyes. No gaunt look around his mouth to show he was hungry. His skin was fine, so he was hydrated. He was merely held captive.

His eyes cut to mine as shouting and shots erupted in the air behind us.

I darted to him, but paused right before trying to cut through his restraints. “If you make me regret this”—I placed the edge of the knife to his throat—“I will find you and I will finish this job. Do you understand me?”

There was no reaction from him. He didn’t blink. He only said, “Yes.” His gaze held mine steadily the entire time.

Another second, and Harden came in yelling. “They’ve dispatched more agents. We have to go now!”

“I need help.”

Harden holstered his gun and dropped to his knees. A second later, another man joined and we were hurrying through the restraints.

Harden cursed. “We can’t wait.”

I looked up. We’d only gotten through four of the restraints. “What do you suggest? Because I’m not leaving him behind.”

Harden’s eyes flashed at me right before he took a step back, brought his gun up. He shot through the two back legs of the chair. Wood exploded in the air. I had enough time to jump at the same time the second man grabbed my vest and hauled me back, too. The momentum kept me clear from any shards getting into my skin .

Chase wasn’t as lucky. He winced, readying himself, his head lowered and bracing.

The guy let me go, grunting as he passed me. “Minor scrapes. The trajectory sent the wood in your direction.”

Good to know.

Chase was glowering at both of them. “This is who you had on him?”

Him. Our eyes met. We both knew who he meant.

Harden grabbed the back of the chair and answered for me. “Yep, and your granddaddy didn’t have a clue. If you’re thinking of complaining, save it. We don’t have an HR department, if you know what I mean.” With that said, he lifted.

The second guy lifted the other side.

The back door was shoved open. A guy appeared and yelled, “We have to go now! Now!”

“We know. We’re coming!” Harden yelled back.

The third guy saw the dilemma and his eyes got big. “Clear some space! They’re bringing him out strapped to a chair.”

They carried my brother out the back, going through the door being held open by the third guy. All of us darted over the backyard. Men were working behind us. There were a bunch of flashes as the third guy ran next to me. He took my arm, guiding me into the second vehicle. I saw them taking my brother to the first vehicle.

“No.”

The guy’s grip tightened.

I knocked it off, twisting out of his hold, and at his look of surprise, I snarled back, “Do not attempt to force me. I know your skill level. You don’t know mine.” He let me go. I took advantage and moved around him.

They were loading Chase into the back. I jumped in next to him. They were going to shove him in and shut the door. I got in right as they were reaching for the door.

The guy saw me and paused. “What— ”

Harden shot me a look, but commanded, “Leave him. We have to go.”