We're a go. Gideon, stay sharp.
I've got you covered, Top.
Javier took a step farther out into the street, a seemingly casual move, but he put himself in a better position to cover the driver and Malichai. Mack signaled his team forward, and they swept into the street, a rush of dark shadows, climbing into the back of the truck.
Kane held position in the alley watching the street, another pair of eyes to keep his team safe. Rose, Rhianna, and Lucas joined the others, easily jumping into the back. Javier went up and over the hood to the roof, lying flat. Kane followed, leaping onto the roof and settling down, facing the back, his semiautomatic ready.
Come on in, Gideon, Kane said.
"Hurry," Wyatt Fontenot hissed.
In truth only a few minutes had passed, but most of the town belonged to Cesar Lopez, and those who didn't were terrified. The last thing they needed was for someone to tip off the cartel czar with the news that a small army had invaded his territory. The pararescue team didn't want their hard-won covers blown, and Kane couldn't blame them. It was a dicey prospect living in the middle of a kill zone.
Gideon leapt from rooftop to rooftop until he could jump to the top of the truck. Javier and Kane made room for him. Malichai slapped the back of the truck and raced around to jerk open the passenger door to hop inside, and then the truck was racing away. Kane watched the buildings flash by. Most of the residents were huddled indoors, knowing from experience that it was dangerous taking to the streets after dark. Even the teenagers were secure for the night.
The safe house was located on the rise of a slope across from the Lopez estate. It wasn't above the Lopez property but rather just a few feet below with an expanse of undeveloped acreage between them. From the windows and balconies they had a good view of the luxurious dwelling. Joe was all business, recognizing the time crunch. He spread out the blueprint of the massive, sprawling home as well as maps and diagrams. A tall fence surrounded the residence complete with eight towers housing guards.
"He's serious about security and has massive firepower," Joe informed them as they crowded around the long table to study the prints.
"I assume there is a command room in the house?" Mack asked.
Joe went back to the first blueprint. "Right here. Everything is controlled from this room. This is your biggest obstacle. Before you move in that house, you'll have to take out the two guards in there. From there they control firepower; the guards and can see everything. Cameras are scattered all over the estate."
Mack turned to look at his team. "So we take that control room first. We shut it down, and everything else will go smoothly. Javier and Lucas, that's your job. You go in through the tunnel and get inside the house. You can't trip any of the sensors in the house. Get into that room and take them down without them seeing you if possible. I don't want anyone killed, Javier."
Javier grinned at him. "You're spoiling my fun, Top, but you want sleeping babes, you've got it."
Mack eyed him sternly another heartbeat or two before turning back to the blueprints spread out in front of him.
"He's got regular patrols along the fence," Joe continued with the briefing. "Dogs. Seven of them, very vicious. He keeps them on the hungry side, and they don't like strangers. When his grandchildren are in residence, they're locked up except at night, and then they roam the grounds without their handlers. The patrols stay safe inside the double fence. The dogs have been trained to leave them alone."
"You control the dogs, Kane," Mack ordered. "You'll have to do that even while you're taking out your assigned guard."
Urban fighting meant endless contact with canines. It was a must that one of their members be able to control animals, and Kane felt fortunate that he had the gift. He nodded. "No problem. I can control animals and multitask." He'd done it enough times to be certain.
"How many guards?" Mack asked.
"At any given time he's got twenty rotating patrols with one guard manning each tower."
"Ethan, you take the towers," Mack said. "You have eight of them to cover, so you'll have to be fast."
Ethan, who could go straight up the side of any building like a spider, nodded, confident he could take out the eight guards quickly without detection. There was a long distance between each tower, but they could run like the wind when needed. As long as Kane controlled the reaction of the dogs, he was certain he would have no problem.
"He keeps ten guards patrolling the fence line with ten off in the barracks," Malichai added. "The number is always the same."
"We'll each take a guard inside the fence as soon as Ethan gives us the signal that the tower guards are down," Mack said. "I'll send each of you to a position, and we'll go at the same time. No shot can be fired. I don't want any weapons used. Put them to sleep with the darts."
"There are ten guards," Malichai pointed out. "We can't go in with you. We can't take any chances of ruining our covers."
Mack nodded. "We understand, but we're down three."
"Two, Top; once I'm finished I'll be able to take a guard out," Ethan reminded.
Mack flashed a humorless grin. "Sorry, Ethan. I didn't mean to leave you out of the fun. Thought maybe you'd need a rest."
"Don't insult me, Top."
Mack laughed and then sobered, resuming their meticulous planning. "Rhianna, you and I both can use teleportation if necessary. Hurts like a son of a bitch, but we don't have any other choice. We'll both take a second guard. You up for it?"
Rhianna nodded curtly.
Rose raised an eyebrow. "Teleportation? Is that for real? I've heard of some extraordinary gifts, but none of the women I grew up with could do that. Levitate, maybe, but teleportation?"
Rhianna shrugged. "It's spotty. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and it's always wrenching and pain . . ."
"Dangerous." Javier was looking at Mack.
Rose caught a glimpse of those flat, cold eyes and shivered. Javier had a way of looking without a single hint of emotion, as if he'd gone to another place and he was capable of anything. Kane dropped a hand on Rose's shoulder, spreading warmth through her.
"Everything we do is dangerous," Mack said evenly, ignoring the overt threat. "Teleportation is not exact, but it will get the job done. Rhee, if you prefer another method, we'll work it out."
Rhianna tilted her chin, not looking at Mack but keeping her large, liquid eyes on Javier. "I have no problem with it, Top."
Javier didn't so much as glance at her. "You'd better not have a problem with it."
Mack turned his attention back to blueprints, ignoring the little byplay. Rose looked around at the circle of faces. None of Javier's team seemed concerned. The same thing couldn't be said of the pararescue men. They appeared uneasy. She shrugged off the goose bumps and leaned forward to study the plans.
"His remaining soldiers are housed here in this building." Joe shoved the first blueprint aside and pulled a second one up. "Two stories and they have an escape tunnel that connects with the tunnel from the main house leading to this exit here." Again he pushed aside the blueprint to pull out a meticulously hand-drawn map.
"So those guards have to be disposed of as well before we enter the house."
Joe nodded. "The tunnels aren't guarded. We've gone all the way to both the main house as well as the barracks. The doors leading into the structures aren't locked or guarded either. Lopez has gotten a little sloppy with his security. He's used to everyone fearing his reprisal--even the government. The tunnel in the main house exits into the control room. The control room is bulletproof. When you go through that door into the room, you'll be vulnerable. Both men inside are armed to the teeth, and they won't be sleeping."
Javier shrugged as if men armed to the teeth were of no consequence.
"No killing, Javier, you have to get in and put them out without them seeing you or knowing anything is wrong," Mack said. "That's essential to the plan."
"No worries, Top," Javier said and winked at Lucas. Lucas grinned back a
t him.