Page 101 of Locked and Loaded

"That's the one." Jake's grin faded. "We've got eyes in there too. Not ours. Let's just say Enzo's not the only one who brought friends."

Before Dragan could ask what that meant, his earpiece crackled.

"Comms check." Logan Callahan's voice was calm and steady, the same tone he'd used in briefings a hundred times. "Sound off. Logan and Lacy, northwest corner by the piano."

"Jake Boxer, east wall near the ice sculptures. Whoever picked the decor has a flair for the dramatic."

"Ryker. South entrance. I've got eyes on the main doors."

"Rush. Service corridor behind the kitchen. Nobody's coming through here unless they're carrying a tray."

"Flynn. West balcony. Good angle on the whole room. Also, there's a dessert cart that I'm definitely raiding later."

"Cash. Northeast corner. I'm watching the hallway to the private dining room. So far it's been quiet."

Dragan pressed his finger to his earpiece. "Dragan. North wall. I've got Mitch with me.”

Drake’s voice crackled. “I’m at the bar." He didn’t bother announcing who he was. Everyone knew anyway.

"Copy that," Logan said. "Hawk?"

A pause. Then Thane Hawkins' voice came through, low and rough. "Hawk. South balcony. I'm with Fontaine. Or I was until he decided to walk into the middle of the room. I'm on him."

Dragan grinned. Thane Hawkins was another brother in arms. The fact he’d come made Dragan relax even more. There were lots of eyes in the room. Lennox would be safe.

"Hawk's babysitting Fontaine?" Jake's voice was amused. "I thought Fontaine didn't need babysitting."

"Fontaine doesn't think he needs babysitting," Hawk corrected. "Fontaine is wrong."

Hawk could say that because he also worked with Armand at the Society. Remy, his wife, was a founding member’s granddaughter and currently a member of the board.

A ripple of low laughter moved through the comms. Dragan didn't laugh. He was still watching Lennox. She'd moved away from Alex now and was standing near one of the ice sculptures, her sparkling wine untouched, her eyes tracking the room the same way his did. Looking for threats. Looking for exits.

She was good at it. He wished she didn't have to be.

"Gage," Logan said. "You on?"

Gage's voice came through, but it was strained, tight in a way Dragan had never heard before. "I'm here. Mick's with me. We're in a makeshift ops room at the hospital."

"Everything okay back there?" Logan asked.

"Dani's in labor."

The comms went quiet for a beat.

"Gage," Logan said. "Why are you on comms?"

"Because Dani told me to get back to work. Quote, 'If you pace outside this door for one more minute, I'm going to have them sedate you.' Unquote. She said she would let me know when she needed me.”

“And you believed her?” Alex asked.

“I bribed a nurse to stay with her. She’ll tell me when it’s time.”

"Good luck," Dragan said.

"Yeah, well. I’m gonna need it."

"Babies are easy," Flynn said. "Just don't drop them."