Ruthless Game (GhostWalkers 9)

We're in, it's a go, Kane said as he and Javier started up the stairs, taking care to feel each individual step for sound before they placed their feet.

Mack signaled Ethan, and Ethan slipped over the side of the building, making his way to the window, leaving behind the stars for Mack to use. There were no ropes, and no one would ever think they could climb up or down the two-story structure.

Guard on the balcony, Mack, Ethan cautioned suddenly. I can smell his cigarette smoke.

Rose stepped out of her apartment to get a better look. She could see the guard on the balcony clearly; he was smoking a cigarette and staring down at the street. It took her a long time, even with her night vision, to spot the man clinging like a spider to the side of the building. Her heart leapt.

He's directly in line with you. All he has to do is look up once he turns.

There was a moment of silence as each member of the team realized Rose had tapped into their communication through Kane.

Talk to us, Mack made the decision, trusting Kane's judgment that she was on their side.

Ethan moved with infinite slowness, inch by slow inch, turning upside down right there on the side of the building. He hung with his head down, clinging to the side with his toes and one hand while he, with that same agonizing slowness, took his knife from between his teeth, transferring it to his one free hand. There in the dark he looked like a giant spider, looming over unsuspecting prey.

Mack had already started down the stars Ethan had lodged in the building, retrieving them as he descended. Now he hovered above Ethan, a dark shadow completely motionless, just waiting.

Rose kept her gaze glued on the guard. He used his fingertips to crush the glowing tip and snapped it over the narrow balcony to the street below. He's turning.

I've got him now, Ethan reassured, his voice absolutely calm.

Rose watched, one hand protectively over her baby and the other around the hilt of her knife. They wanted silence. She couldn't use a gun, but ...

The guard turned and took a step, a single fatal step. He never saw Ethan as he dropped down just like a spider, driving the point of his knife deep. He kept his grip on the guard, easing him to the balcony floor in silence. Mack joined him, shoving the throwing stars into the loops on his inside vest. Ethan stepped back, and Mack took the lead.

The balcony door was open. Inside the room, the television blared loudly. Two chairs, back to back, held the woman and a little girl of ten. They were tied, hands and feet. Both had gags in their mouths. The little girl's head swung toward them as they stepped silently into the room. Her eyes went wide with shock when she realized the shadows were large men coming out of the night at her. The mother didn't move, her head hanging as if she wasn't conscious.

Mack put a finger to his lips and shook his head. The little girl froze. There were tears swimming in her eyes. Ethan crossed to the mother, crouching down beside her. Both eyes were swollen closed. She had cuts on her mouth and chin and bruising around her neck. Her dress was torn in several places, and there was evidence of bruising beneath the garment.

Ethan swore under his breath as he cut the ropes. Her hands were nearly purple. She was barefoot, and both feet were cut and bruised as well as swollen.

She's in bad shape. I'm going to have to carry her.

That was bad news. Mack was going to have the child, and with the woman needing a ride as well, that put both men in a more vulnerable position. But they were prepared.

We'll move in ten, Kane announced calmly.

Roger that. Mack cut the child free and lifted her into his arms, soothing her in Spanish. "Your uncle sent us to get you and your mother out of here. We have to be very quiet."

The child frowned and put her mouth next to Mack's ear. "What about my little brother?"

Mack stiffened. No one had said anything about a brother. "Where's your brother, sweetie?"

"They took him away."

We have a complication. There's another child. A boy. "How old is he?"

She muffled her cough against his shirt. "Five."

Kane, the moment we hit the ground running, drop back with Javier and find that boy.

Javier lay at the top of the stairs, his body stretched out on the floor. A low light illuminated the end of the hall and cast shadows down the corridor. A guard sat in front of the door to the third apartment. He had his chair tipped back and his legs sprawled out in front of him. His weapon was in his lap, and he appeared to be sleeping, but neither Javier nor Kane was deceived. Every few seconds he stroked his finger over the trigger as though caressing his gun.

Will do. Hold. The guard's alert.

You want us to draw him inside?

Javier glanced at Kane and nodded just once. He eased his body down the threadbare carpet. Anyone could come out of their apartment and conceivably step on him on their way to the stairs. Both doubted anyone would be showing their face with so many armed men in the building.

Get his attention, Kane said.

Mack whispered to the little girl, and she nodded her head once. He moved her closer to the door. "Be brave, sweetheart."

She swallowed hard, closed her eyes, and pressed herself tight into Mack. "Mommy. Mommy, wake up. Hurry."

Her voice was scared, hushed, perfect for their needs. Mack positioned himself on one side of the door, and Ethan went to the other. Mack pushed the little girl behind his solid body.

The guard's head came up alertly. As he stood, he looked right at Kane, who was pressed against the wall, deep in the shadow. The chair came down with a thud inches from Javier's outstretched fingers. Javier never so much as winced. The guard's boots were old and worn, thin in places, and Javier just barely missed getting stepped on as the man swung around to face the door, his finger still on the trigger as the other hand twisted the doorknob.

Javier rolled out of the way as Kane moved into position behind the man. The guard kicked the door open and took a step. Kane slammed the knife home with one hand and jerked the weapon with the other, preventing him from firing. Mack whirled around and covered the little girl's eyes.

"Keep your head down. Stay tight against me. We're taking you home," he whispered. "You have to stay very quiet." He dragged the protective vest from his pack and quickly dressed her in it before lifting her. He waited for Ethan to put the unconscious woman in a vest as well and shift her into a fireman's carry. They were both vulnerable, packing the hostages out into enemy territory.

Kane lowered the body of the dead guard to the floor well inside the room and went back to the doorway, peering up and down the hall before signaling Javier. The two of them moved like wraiths, Javier disappearing down the stairs while Kane guarded the hall.

You're clear to here, Javier stated.

What's happening on the street, Rose? Kane demanded.

Staying quiet, she announced. Get moving. We have to find that child before they're on to us, or they'll kill him.

There was no "we" involved in finding the boy, but Kane didn't have time to argue with Rose. It was imperative to find the boy before the rescue could be discovered. He signaled Mack to start down the stairs with Ethan close on his heels. Kane dropped in behind them, moving silently, his gun in his fist this time. He was using a silencer, but still, they wanted to slip out without alerting the enemy force.

Something is happening at the end of the street. Teens are running in all directions. They look scared, Rose reported. Get out of there.

There was no urgency in her voice, but Kane sensed it, as did the others. Javier went through the door first, and after visually clearing the street, waved Mack and Ethan through. They ran flat out, dark shadows moving through the open street for the desert.

Bring in the bird. We'll rendezvous in four minutes, Mack said. Gideon, you've got eight minutes from my mark.