Page 38 of Hardline Torque
Victor Dane didn’t stand alone anymore.
And Black Tide protected what was theirs.
Chapter Seven
“Call signs active,this is Breaker.Surge, comms check.”Luca’s voice came over comms, low and steady, the hum of the van’s engine bleeding faintly through the channel.
“Up.”Kael answered.
“Torch.”
“Eyes on,” Keanu said quietly, already in motion somewhere downslope.
“Wraith.”
“Green,” Drew replied.
“Reef.”
“Set.”Niko’s voice was crystal clear, clipped and calm.
“Mano.”
Tane adjusted his grip on the rifle, feeling the familiar weight settle into his shoulder, and smiled faintly.“Here.”
The forest around him breathed—wind through leaves, the distant crash of surf far beyond the ridge, insects humming like background static.Damp earth clung to the air, rich and sharp, grounding him even as adrenaline threaded through his veins.
There was a half-second pause on the channel before Kael’s voice came back, quieter now, edged with intent.“And our guest?”
Victor stood close enough that Tane could feel his body heat, their shoulders nearly brushing beneath the tree cover.In the dim light, Victor’s dark blue eyes caught what little light filtered through the canopy, unreadable and sharp.He lifted a brow, just barely.
Tane keyed his mic.“Your call, Surge.”
Another pause.Calculated this time.Kael didn’t rush decisions like this—names mattered.They carried weight.
“Specter,” Kael said finally.“You move quiet, you leave nothing behind.Sound fair?”
