Page 287 of Operation: Defiance

Chapter Ninety-One

Raine

The building is the definition of office park ordinary. One story. Glass front, broken only by four vertical columns. “Inara has eyes on the interior,” Natasha says as she pulls into the parking lot. “Guard behind a desk. Voss is dead center, two feet from a security door. Asher’s got two men on him. Holding his arms. Four more spread around the lobby.”

“Blind spots?”

Natasha repeats the question, eases the SUV up to the curb, and shifts into park. “She’s four hundred meters out, fifteen degrees southwest of the doors. Open sight lines, but the columns provide limited cover. Watch your angles.”

I scan the roofline out the far window. I can’t see her from here, but I trust she’s there.

My thumb drifts to my index finger, finds nothing, and I squeeze my eyes shut for a single breath. “The second he’s in the car…go. Don’t let the guards get near you.”

Natasha meets my gaze in the rearview mirror, then touches the pistol strapped to her hip. “If they try, they’ll regret it.”

With a nod, I put in one of the earplugs, then open the car door.

Inside, I don’t spare Voss a single glance. I zero in on Asher. On the guards holding him up. On the dark stain covering too much of his torn shirt.

He lifts his head—I can see the strain in every muscle of his neck—and his eyes find mine.

I freeze for two full seconds.

The video didn’t prepare me for this. I don’t know why I thought it would. Thirty hours of everything they could do to a person, and he’s still here. Still looking at me. Still⁠—

I close the distance by half. Not a step more.

“Agent Calder.” Voss doesn’t raise his voice. Doesn’t yell or demand or gloat. “Right on time.”

I don’t take my eyes off of Asher. I can’t.

“Let me say goodbye to him. That was the agreement.”

Voss studies me for a moment. The slight tremor in my voice lands exactly where I intended. “Bring him to her.”

The two men carry him across the lobby. His boots drag on the old linoleum. He’s using everything he has just to hold his head up.

Up close, the inventory is so much worse. The pallor of his skin. Dried blood around the heavy cuffs securing his wrists in front of him. The careful, deliberate way his eyes track me, like he’s afraid he might lose me if he blinks too slowly.

I rest my palm against his cheek.

He exhales. Not a word. Only a simple breath that sounds like he’s been holding it since he left me.

“Can you stand? For a minute? Just you. And me.” I say softly.

His eyes close, then open slowly. I take that as a yes.

“Tell them to step away. This…is private.” I look at Voss, letting my shoulders fall just enough to mimic defeat.

“By all means.” Voss’s voice carries all the warmth of a man watching a match he’s already won. “Take your time.”

The two guards are kinder than I expect, letting me wrap one arm around Asher’s waist before they step back.

“I’ve got you,” I say. “I choose you.”

His sob is completely silent, catching in his throat and almost sending him to his knees. I adjust my stance, bracing him with my full weight. He lowers his head, the kiss full of all the things we can’t say to one another.

“Follow my lead,” I whisper against his lips.