“Negative.”

“Party crashers?” I asked Kayden.

Kayden’s negative was followed by Wolf’s.

I shared a look with Jinx. It worried me that we hadn’t gotten eyes on Ellery

or Bosch yet. With Hobbes on the way in, where were the other two?

Jinx and I kept our pace casual as we moved downstairs to the lower-level parking garage. I envied Jinx’s ability to blend as she dragged me into another store as we stalled for time. Kelsey would’ve liked her. After spending the last

hour and half with Jinx, I discovered a snarky mind lurked behind those big brown eyes. We stopped just before the doors leading to the parking garage and

sat on the edge of a brick planter. Just a couple of women taking a break from

their power shopping. Bags were clustered at our feet.

“Target’s turning into the garage.” At Ricochet’s warning I tossed my half-finished coffee in a nearby trashcan. Then Jinx and I gathered up our bags and

casually strolled out the doors.

The garage was two levels, the street level, and the basement. The basement

level was tucked away from the afternoon sun which left it dim, but also trapped

the heavy summer heat. Although out of sight, Kayden and Bishop were in

position on our level, while Wolf and Rabbit remained on the street level.

“Basement level, east entrance,” Ricochet confirmed.

Once Jinx and I cleared the range of the cameras at the door, we ditched the

bags and split up, moving between the parked cars as we made our way toward

the garage entrance. A subtle growl preceded the glow of lights that belonged to

a black executive sedan. The heavily tinted windows kept us blind to the occupants. I dropped to a crouch behind a dusty SUV and watched it prowl through the garage.

Everyone held their position, waiting to see where it would stop.

Somewhere out there, Ellery and Bosch were also watching. Bosch didn’t

worry me. Not yet. He wanted me here. Whether he brought friends or not, did

worry me, as well as what would happen if Ellery saw me before he could meet

with Hobbes. Then there was the valid concern of what would happen if innocent bystanders got caught in the crossfire. Fighting threats on urban streets

was a nightmare because there were too many variables. No matter how solid the

plan, eventually you would be left using your skills and instincts.

The sedan pulled into a handful of empty slots situated near a metal door leading to the back stairs.

“Hold.” Kayden’s soft order came across the line.

Silence settled over the garage.

I pulled my gun out of my inner pants holster, flicked off the safety, and then

settled the weight in my palms. A quick double click in my ear indicated Ricochet was now in position.

Nothing moved around the sedan.

I worked my way closer. The lot wasn’t full, but there were enough cars in

place to provide cover. It didn’t take me long to get an angle with a view of the

sedan’s back door. Unfortunately, gaining a sight line to the other side that was

close to the fire exit would mean risking exposure. I held my position and tapped

three times on my earpiece, letting the team know I was in place.

One by one, the rest of the team checked in with soft, reassuring clicks.

Rabbit remained above, monitoring the electronic signals, just in case any surprise packages popped up.

My mind was quiet and clear. My pulse remained as steady as did my grip on

my gun. It was strange to realize I actually missed this, the action, the adrenaline rush, and even being part of a team.

Bishop’s “Head’s up” hit moments before the sound of metal scraping

concrete echoed through the garage. The fire exit door opened and, backlit by the afternoon sun, there was no way to make out the approaching figure. I tried

not to ruin my eyesight and focused on the sedan, tracking the new player from

the corner of my eye.

The back door on the driver’s side, closest to the exit, opened and Reeve Ellery moved out of the shadows, taking time to scan the garage.

I worked on my mental shielding with Wolf, when he finally announced me

passable, I wanted to kill him. Right now, I was grateful for his drill-sergeant

mentality. Still, I didn’t risk looking directly at Ellery. Sometimes targets could tell when they were being watched. I huddled behind the SUV, watching the action at the sedan and praying my mental shields held. No way did I want to be