Page 147 of Blake

“Then what the hell are we waiting for?” he seethed.

“A way to get her out without getting her killed.”

The man’s words stopped Blake cold. He knew Emmett was right.

Whitaker had already demonstrated how far he was willing to go. Charging into the building without knowing where Devon was being held could get her killed.

Blake forced himself to sit. “Okay.”

Emmett studied him for a moment before nodding. “Okay.” To the others, he said, “Let’s get to work.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Two hours later . . .

Blake stood beside an unmarked SUV parked in a secluded lot several blocks from the Crestview property.

The evening air was cool, carrying the faint smell of damp leaves and approaching rain. He wore a protective vest over a dark shirt, although Lucas had made it clear that the vest wasn’t going to magically protect his injured side from every impact. He’d also insisted on checking Blake’s bandage before they’d left headquarters.

Twice.

Now Lucas stood nearby, organizing medical supplies in the rear of another vehicle while Emmett and Draven were speaking with Lincoln and two officers from his unit. Gwen was checking her equipment, and Jethro studied the wooded area beyond the road.

Everyone was moving with deliberate purpose. There was no wasted motion. No unnecessary conversation.

Blake had worked alongside these people for months. He knew their backgrounds. Knew what they were capable of. But he’d never appreciated their collective experience more than he did now.

These weren’t simply his coworkers. They were highly trained professionals who’d spent years making difficult decisions under impossible circumstances. And tonight, Devon’s life depended on every bit of that experience.

Emmett approached Blake with quiet steps.

“Jethro’s moving into position. He’ll give us a better picture of what’s happening around the building.”

Blake nodded. “Any movement?”

“Two guards outside, and another vehicle arrived about twenty minutes ago.”

“Whitaker?”

“Don’t know yet.”

Blake looked toward the distant glow of the property’s security lights. “Can we get closer?”

“We will.”

“When?”

It felt like years had passed since he’d last seen Devon.

“Whenever Lincoln is finished coordinating with his people.”

Blake exhaled sharply but kept his frustration inside. Emmett noticed.

He always does.

“You holding up okay?”

“Ask me when Devon’s safe.”