Page 93 of Night Moves
But now her head was clear.
Tracey intended to take the children and Natalie couldn’t let her do so. No matter what Tracey did to her.
“Step out of my way,” Tracey demanded.
Natalie planted her feet in front of the door. “No.”
Tracey reached into her purse. When her hand came out, she was brandishing a switchblade that glinted in the overhead light. “Then prepare to become The Clipper’s fifth victim.”
Drake tried calling Natalie again. Still no answer. Had she gone to bed when the kids did? Possible, but his gut said something was wrong.
His phone suddenly pealed out an alarm.Willow.The device he’d given her. Was it a false alarm? Or was she in danger?
Drake could ask if Natalie picked up her phone. He had to assume there was something wrong. His brothers would too when the alarm sounded on their phones, and they’d be gearing up and ready to roll. Drake’s vest lay on the dresser where he’d ditched it after their op, too tired to put it away properly.
His negligence might come in handy now. As might the assault rifle, which he grabbed as he raced for the door. By the time he reached the hallway, Erik was out of his condo and headed Drake’s way.
He had his vest on too. “Willow in trouble?”
On the way to the elevator, Drake explained about calling Natalie and not being able to get through. “My gut says something’s wrong, and she can’t answer. And Willow is afraid. Or maybe Willow’s in danger too.”
Erik boarded the elevator after Drake and tapped the button for floor six. “I don’t get it. Gentry’s in custody so what could’ve happened?”
Drake wished he knew.
The elevator stopped at three. Looking alert but just woken, Brendan and Clay got on, and Drake relayed the information again. Then on the sixth floor where they all parked, Aiden waited in the hallway for them, and Drake told the story again. He couldn’t begin to say how thankful he was for his brothers’ instant response. They didn’t ask any additional questions but marched toward the parking garage.
“I’ll drive.” Aiden took the keys from Drake. “You’re shaking.”
Drake wanted to deny his unease, but he didn’t want to waste any more time, so he got out additional vests from the back of the SUV and tossed them to his brothers. The rasping of Velcro was the only sound in the garage save the whistling wind. Drake next handed out comms units so they could communicate at the townhouse. Finishing first, he grabbed a few extra ammo clips and slid into the passenger seat. Aiden got behind the wheel and the others took the backseat.
They all felt the sense of urgency, and the tension was palpable in the vehicle.
Aiden raced down the ramp at a speed that might make others nervous, but Drake was used to tactical driving. He knew how to get to Natalie’s townhouse, but he entered the address in the navigation system for Aiden to make it simple. Besides, the GPS would tell them the quickest route at this time of night.
“Tell us about her townhouse,” Clay said from behind Drake.
He swiveled to face his brother and noted that Erik had his attention on his phone. He was likely looking for the best satellite photo of the complex. “It’s a two-story end unit with three bedrooms and a garage on the left. The main entry is to a long hall. The steps are to the left. A guest bedroom immediately to the right when you enter the townhouse. The kitchen’s in the back right and is open to the living room. Powder room under the stairs and two beds with attached baths upstairs.”
“Where do you want to make entry?” Clay asked.
“Locks are all buttoned up tight. I made sure of that when I dropped Natalie and the kids off, so it’ll be a challenge. Living room has a sliding patio door and a wall of windows, but the back is fenced and there’s no gate. I want to make sure Natalie is okay, but we need to check on the kids first. They’re sleeping in the front bedroom.”
“Assuming Willow’s awake, if we breach that window, we’ll likely scare her,” Brendan said. “She might react and unintentionally out us to whoever’s causing Natalie not to respond.”
“I’ll do a quick check through the window to be sure we’re clear to enter, and then turn on my flashlight so she can see my face.” As Drake visualized the scenario, he ground his teeth.
“You want me on overwatch?” Brendan filled the role as the team sniper and often took the high ground for ops like this one.
“Got the townhouse up on sat view.” Erik looked up. “No place to take a stand.”
“Yeah, the complex is too densely built for that.” Drake looked at his brothers. “Erik, you’re with me. Aiden standby in the vehicle in case we need a fast getaway. Brendan and Clay, take the kids to the SUV. Then come back and take a stand in the front and back.”
“Be careful on the rear of the townhouse,” Erik said. “There’s a green space behind the complex, and our subject could skate.”
They fell silent, and Drake listened to the GPS voice calmly give Aiden the next direction. Drake was glad he’d given the computer charge of directions. One less thing on his mind. The closer they came to Natalie’s townhouse, the more worried he’d become.
If he’d wondered if Natalie was important to him, there was no question now. He couldn’t lose her. That would be unfathomable. He’d only known her for a few days, but he couldn’t imagine life without her. If she chose to adopt the children, then he would make the best of it. And if they eventually got married, he would help raise them to the best of his ability.
