Ian didn’t argue, nor did he agree. “We won’t know anything for sure until we see what they’re hiding.”
“And how do we do that without getting ourselves killed?” There was a little less challenge in Quinn’s tone now, but Ian still bristled.
“If you don’t have the balls for—”
Quinn flew out of his chair and was halfway across the table when Carissa grabbed him. “Cut it out!” She didn’t have the strength to pull him back, but she didn’t let go. “If you two can’t work together on this, we’re all screwed.”
Both men huffed, but Quinn returned to his seat and Ian proceeded to ignore him.
“You’ve been on-site,” Erin prompted. “You know what we’ll be facing, at least to some extent. What do you suggest we do?”
“Even if there’s nothing but storage in the basement, we’re outnumbered and out gunned. Trying to amass a larger force would take too long and compound the logistical nightmare. Our only hope is the element of surprise. We need to use distraction and deception to slip in under their noses. We strike fast and hard, preventing them from calling for backup.”
“How well did the shooter see you? Haven’t we already lost the element of surprise?” Quinn’s tone was low and even while hostility still smoldered in his eyes.
“You got a better idea?” Ian snapped.
“It’s a reasonable question.” Erin’s expression communicated warning even more eloquently than her words.
Ian sighed. “They were shooting at shadows. There’s no way either of them saw me clearly.”
“What if we need backup?” Kyle asked. “We have no idea what’s waiting for us once we step off that elevator.”
Clearly frustrated by the continued objections, Ian sighed. “So we’ll have backup stationed far enough away to avoid detection yet close enough to assist if we’re overwhelmed.”
“Are you talking ground or air support?” Payne asked. He’d remained quiet through most of the conversation, silently watching as the others worked out the kinks.
“Air would be best, given the impossible terrain,” Ian told him. “Do you still have access to those sorts of resources?”
“It will cost you, especially if you want them here by morning.”
Ian looked at Erin and she nodded. “This thing with Osric has gone on long enough. Make the call.”
“If that’s all you needed from me, you could have told me on the phone.” Payne smiled, his eyes shimmering like antique coins. “Am I distraction or deception?”
Ian returned the smile. “A little bit of both.”
Chapter Nine
Kyle decided to barbeque for dinner, which drew all the men out onto the deck. “There is something about cooking over an open flame that men can’t resist,” Erin said with a chuckle.
“Brings out their inner caveman.” Carissa laughed.
“That’s not necessarily a bad thing, is it?” Ava wiggled her eyebrows and they all laughed some more.
“This feels so good!” Carissa wrapped her arm around Ava and squeezed. “I can’t believe how much I missed you.” They sat on the sofa in Jake’s living room, enjoying the brief break in activity as the men bonded over burgers. Erin sat in an armchair facing them, a large window at her side showcasing the majestic mountains and deep blue sky.
“And I can’t believe how much things have changed in so short a time.”
“Do I seem different?” Carissa sounded hurt.
“You didn’t until you turned into a… What the hell was that thing? I’m pretty sure I’ve never heard of a black tiger before.”
“Nothing about Carissa is ordinary and I think her cat is beautiful,” Erin objected.
“So do I. That’s not what I meant. I’m just having a hard time believing that was her. With Kyle and the others it’s easier to accept, but I grew up with Carissa. I remember her losing teeth and agonizing over her first pimple.”
Carissa relaxed, even managed to smile. “It gets easier. Before long it’ll all seem common.”
Ava shook her head. “I hope not. I never want to lose that sense of awe. You guys are amazing.”
Erin moved from her chair and joined them on the couch. “You are amazing too. Never doubt that for a minute. The blood that flows through Carissa’s veins also flows through yours.”
“That’s not what’s bothering me.” Even as the words passed her lips they sounded hollow. “If the ancients accept me, I’ll likely go through with the blood ritual. If they don’t…I think I’m okay with that too.”