And I Love You the Most (This Love Hurts 3)

I don’t answer; I won’t negotiate with Cody. Even if we are outnumbered and outgunned, there is no excuse for failure. We have the element of surprise and the need to win. One on three or one on ten, it wouldn’t matter. There’s not an army that exists who could keep me from her.

If, however, we show our hand, arriving at the wrong location and tipping off Brass through security breaches, then there’s no one to stop them from taking her somewhere else. Meaning it could be days or weeks before we have a chance to save her … or never. He could kill her and walk away. We’d never have a chance to save her.

My throat is tight and my vision blurred as I hit the gas harder, revving the engine and tearing down an old dirt road. It takes another ten minutes before I have to slow and park alongside a thick row of pine trees. Beyond that is a small shed, decayed and rotted from years of unuse. I follow the map Riggins sent me, noting how the calls have stopped altogether.

Walsh must be there now.

Both of us at each location simultaneously.

Good, is my first thought, but then the anxiousness eats me alive as I take each step carefully, searching out the grouping of three trees that signal the location of the opening Riggins said was best. What if Walsh got there, and what if he doesn’t have the same fight?

What if the worst of both outcomes has come true? The overgrown weeds hide the panel well, so well that I know this entrance hasn’t been used for at least a year. Tearing through it, I rip the door open, the rusty lock breaking easily.

The knowledge that it was far too easy makes one thing known—I cut the wrong wire. Even with that hopelessness washing over me, I continue the motions, wishing I’d listened and done what Walsh asked.

I contemplate messaging him, but I can’t waste the time. It takes me five minutes to carefully make my way down the first passage. It’s musty, dark and the light switches don’t work. The wiring must be outdated and it’s obvious no one’s been down here for years.

Fuck!

My heavy breathing is the only thing that breaks up the silence as I make my way down the second passage, knowing damn well I sent Walsh to the other location and that’s where she is.

She isn’t here. I made the wrong choice. A cold sweat breaks out along my skin and I feel sick to my stomach.

There’s no one here to fight, and I may have lost her forever.

Cody

Everything feels heavy to the point that I’m reminded of both exhaustion and the spot in my chest that pains with every small movement. The anxiousness running through every inch of me is so overwhelming, I nearly miss Evan’s vehicle. It’s tucked away behind the overgrown brush, camouflaged in varying shades of dark moss.

I barely glanced at the map Marcus sent, but I fucking hope we’re close.

My keys jingle as I slam on the brakes to pull up close behind him, shaking off the fear of failure as I park. I’m quick to shut off the car and slam the door as I leave it; all the while my pulse thrums heavily and every movement appears to be automatic. Like I’m not the one doing it. It feels like I’ve lost control of my body, although I’m aware what’s happening around me.

The truck rocks as I leave it there, meeting Evan halfway from his car to mine.

“Four men,” he starts. The friend I’ve deceived thinks this is about a case that’s gone wrong. The bit I fed him about a man who wants revenge is true enough, but he can’t find out the details. My head’s dizzy as I lean against the back of my pickup and look up at Evan, not sure how this will end for either of us. I’m vaguely aware at some point from this moment forward, Marcus and him may meet. That can’t happen. I’m backed into a corner with no way out and everywhere I look, someone close to me is going to be hurt.

The deep bags under Evan’s eyes match mine and I have to remember there’s a chance this all goes to plan. “It’s just over there,” he says and points, and it’s then I see the binoculars hanging around his neck. “What have you got on you?” he asks and my response is a reflex, just like everything else.

“Just my Glock.”

With a nod, he motions to the back of his sedan and I follow him, grabbing another handheld and a few magazines.

“I’ll go in first and you cover me.” I give the command, my jaw tense and the thrill of the hunt mixing into a deadly concoction with the fear that’s consumed me. A darkness falls over my gaze as I stare off into the distance and Evan goes over the plan. If this were just like any other takedown, there’d be a hint of a smile on my expression.