Chapter One Hundred Fifty-One

Chapter One Hundred Fifty-One
Grey's POV
The planning session went until midnight. Everyone exhausted, running on adrenaline and stubbornness.
"We need intelligence," I said. "Location. Security. Number of guards. We can't just storm in blind."
"Agreed." Dante studied the maps Marcus had pulled up. "Marcus, can you track their vehicles from the kidnappings?"
"Already working on it. They were careful, but not perfect. I'm following cell tower pings and traffic cameras."
"How long?"
"Six hours. Maybe eight."
"We don't have eight hours," Victoria said. She was recovering, but still weak. "The longer they have those people, the more they'll learn. Emma's particularly vulnerable. She's young. Frightened. They'll break her easily."
"Then we work faster." Dante turned to me. "Grey, you have contacts in law enforcement. Can you find out if anyone official is investigating the Restoration after the public exposure?"
"I'll make calls." I pulled out my phone. "But most cops won't move against a group this powerful without serious pressure."
"Apply pressure. Remind them the world is watching."
I stepped outside to make the calls. The warehouse district was quiet now. Crime scene tape fluttered where the battle had raged. Blood stained the concrete.
My first call was to Detective Morrison. We'd worked together before. He owed me.
"Grey. I was expecting this call." He sounded tired. "You want to know about the Restoration."
"What's being done?"
"Officially? Task force is forming. Warrants are being prepared. Unofficially? Everyone's terrified. The Restoration has connections everywhere. Taking them down won't be clean."
"I'm not asking for clean. I'm asking for action."
"We're moving as fast as we can. But they've got lawyers. Politicians. Money. This will take weeks."
"We don't have weeks. They kidnapped fifteen people. Innocent civilians."
Morrison was quiet. "Do you know where they're being held?"
"We're working on it."
"If you find them, call me first. Let us handle the rescue."
"With respect, detective, your people aren't equipped for this. The Restoration will kill those hostages before you can breach."
"And you think you can do better?"
"I know I can. Because I'm not bound by rules of engagement."
"Grey—"
"Just have ambulances ready. When we move, there will be casualties. I'd prefer they get medical attention quickly."
I hung up before he could argue.
My second call was to a private investigator who specialized in finding people who didn't want to be found. She answered on the first ring.
"Grey Hunter. Didn't expect to hear from you after the last job."
"I need your best tracker. Money is no object."
"What am I tracking?"
"Fifteen kidnapping victims. Taken by a paramilitary organization with significant resources."
She whistled. "That's a tall order. My fee would be—"
"I'll pay triple. Just find them."
"Send me everything you have. I'll start immediately."
Back inside, Marcus had made progress.
"Three possible locations," he said, pointing to the map. "All Restoration facilities. All heavily guarded. But this one—" He tapped a spot outside the city. "This one had unusual activity tonight. Lots of vehicles coming and going. More than normal."
"That's our target," Dante decided.
"We need confirmation," I cautioned. "If we hit the wrong facility, they'll move the hostages."
"So we confirm first, then hit." Dante looked at Victoria. "Can you do a remote scan? Check if the hostages are there?"
"At this distance? After being drained?" She shook her head. "I'd need to be within a mile. And even then, I might not be strong enough."
"Then we get you within a mile." Dante was already planning. "Small team. Reconnaissance only. Confirm the location, then we bring everyone for the extraction."
"I'll go," I volunteered.
"No." Evelyn stepped forward. "You're too recognizable. If the Restoration spots you, they'll know we're onto them. I'll go with Victoria."
"Absolutely not," Dante said immediately.
"She's right," Victoria interjected. "I need someone to protect me while I scan. Someone I trust completely. Evelyn fits."
Dante looked between them. I saw the war on his face. His need to protect Evelyn versus his need for this mission to succeed.
"Fine," he said finally. "But Beck goes too. And you stay in constant communication. First sign of trouble, you abort."
"Agreed." Evelyn touched his face gently. "We'll be careful."
"You better be. Because if anything happens to you, I'm burning that facility to the ground with everyone inside."
She kissed him. "I know. That's why nothing will happen."
They left an hour later. Evelyn, Victoria, and Beck, in an unmarked van. The rest of us waited, tension thick enough to cut.
Marcus monitored their progress through GPS. "They're approaching the facility now. One mile out."
On the comms, I heard Victoria's voice. "I'm starting the scan. Everyone stay quiet."
Minutes passed like hours. I watched Dante pace, his hands flexing like he wanted to hit something.
"I've got them," Victoria said suddenly. "Fifteen distinct consciousness signatures. Third floor. Northeast corner. They're alive. Frightened, but alive."
"Emma?" Sarah asked.
"She's there. I can feel her specifically. They haven't damaged her yet."
Relief flooded the room.
"Get back here," Dante ordered. "We move tonight."
"Copy that. Returning now."
But thirty seconds later, Victoria's voice came back. Urgent. Frightened.
"We've been spotted. Security patrol just pulled up behind us. They're—"
Gunfire erupted over the comms. Then static.
"Beck!" Dante shouted. "Beck, report!"
Nothing.
"Victoria! Evelyn!"
Still nothing.
Dante grabbed his weapons. "Everyone mobilize. Now. We're going in hot."