Page 130 of Collateral Love

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The invitation to rush.

Xavier didn’t miss it either.

“Fast favors you Nigga,” X said. “Not us.”

Joel cleared his throat, a nervous habit. “We’ve got a location ping,” he said, grateful for the interruption. “Warehouse district. South end. Old freight spur.”

That’s not Cameron.

That’s Charles.

Everyone knew that’s where the gang he was hiding behind liked to hide.

Miles nodded quickly. “That tracks. Charles has always preferred industrial cover. It’s messy enough to hide in.”

“Or obvious enough to draw attention,” Chanel counters.

Miles opens his mouth.

I cut him off.

“We’ll go,” I say. “But not the way you think.”

Xavier turned to me. “You thinking perimeter first?”

“I’m thinking observe first,” I reply. “We don’t touch Charles until we know why Cameron’s letting him breathe.”

Orders rippled out, and my soldiers began to mobilize.

As the room emptied, Miles lingered.

“Zay,” he said quietly. “I know you’re under a lot of pressure.”

I turned.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice like we were sharing something private. “Kenya wouldn’t want you hesitating. She’s decisive. Always has been.”

That was a fuckin mistake.

“Don’t talk to me about what my fucking wife would do bitch.”

I snarled.

“Kenya taught me patience,” I said “That’s how I know when someone’s trying to borrow her voice. There’s no way you’re making it outta this alive, so save your bullshit for a dumb fuck.”

Miles stiffens.

Then he recovers. “I know that Shit. I just want Kenya to be safe.”

I glanced toward the stairs. I thought of my wife, Kenya, recovering in the bed.

“Cameron thinks she’s leading us,” I murmur. “She thinks this path ends with a rescue.”

Chanel joined us, voice steady. “But it doesn’t.”

“No,” I agreed. “It ends with a reveal.”

Outside, engines turned over low and controlled. The city doesn’t notice us leaving. That’s how we like it.

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