CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Max led the others through the woods back to Madden’s mansion. The faint sound of laughter and music drifted on the air from the ballroom. One would think the presence of armed soldiers in full body armor would put a damper on the festivities, but apparently not. The frivolity only went to show what kind of sick fucks Madden hung out with.
They approached a gate built into the high rock wall that bordered the property. One of the armed guards lay on the ground. His eyes shined like glass and were just as vacant as they stared up at the moon with his throat ripped out.
“Anyone near?” Max asked Ronan.
He paused for a moment to listen. “No. It’s quiet.”
Max lifted his hand. The metal gate screeched as he tore it off its hinges and tossed it to the side.
Ronan let loose with a very unmanly giggle. “That was sweet.”
Normally, Max would be just as impressed with himself, but at the moment the only thing that mattered was getting to Crystal.
To his right, Doc and Chase were in full combat gear, ready to follow his lead. He knew they would do anything to save one of their own. But the Daniels brothers were wild cards with no vested interest in the team’s cause. Crystal was too important to put his trust in them so quickly. And if they were hurt or killed in the upcoming confirmation, the guilt would be a burden he didn’t want to bear.
“Look, Ronan, if you go in there, you’ll be tying yourself to us and probably expose your powers. If you want to back out, say so now.”
Max appreciated the fact that the man took a moment to think before he answered. Ronan’s eyes unfocused, as if he was having an internal conversation, before his gaze sharpened and looked back to him. “I talked it over with Ethan. We’re in. And we do have a vested interest in this. Madden dragged us in when he used our software to build his army. Speaking of which.” He pulled the headset and goggles off the body at their feet and looped them around his neck. “It’ll be nice to know exactly what he’s done with our product.”
“Thank you,” Max replied.
Huh. Who would’ve thought he’d be grateful for the extra hands on his team. But with the brothers on their side, that increased their odds and he could end this fight with his father, once and for all.
A snarl in the dark preceded a shadowy black panther looping across the lawn. The fur morphed into skin with a crack of bones. Ripley appeared before them, sweaty, out of breath, and nude. “What have I missed?”
Max kept it short and sweet. “Madden has Crystal, and Anthony DeMateo is alive. He’s The Second.”
“Your friend, Anthony?”
Max nodded once.
Ripley cursed then did a double take when he noticed Ronan standing with them. “Who are you?”
“Ronan Daniels. Telepath. My twin is inside keeping track of Crystal. Try not to eat him.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“What’s going on inside?” Max asked.
“Madden disappeared for a while, but is now back in the ballroom schmoozing the lemmings. There’s a guard posted at every door, except for the few I removed.”
Max crossed his arms. “If he’s in the ballroom, who’s with Crystal?”
“Ethan said DeMateo is alone with her,” Ronan answered.
A twitch started near his eye. “All right, here’s the plan. We’re keeping it simple. We’ll enter through the garage and head straight for the office. Only kill if necessary. I’m hoping that once we start causing trouble, the guards will come after us without alerting the guests. Madden is not going to want to show any weakness in front of the very people he is asking to back him. Ronan, you and Ethan come up with a reason to get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible. We’ll sort out who the so-called lemmings are from the innocent later. Ripley, you take Madden.” He tossed him an earpiece.
Ripley’s eyes sparked in surprise. “You want me to take out your father? Are you sure?”
Never had he been more certain in his life.
As long as his father was brought down, Max didn’t give a shit as to who actually did the deed. His sole purpose now was getting to his woman. “Yes. I’ll get Crystal and take care of DeMateo. Chase, you and Doc cover them.”
“We’ll get her back, Max.” Doc set her jaw.
Max nodded. “Follow me.”
The team dashed across the lawn to the side entrance of the garage. Ripley took the unconventional route and shifted into a bat. His furry mammal flew off into the night sky and down a chimney.
With a wave of his hand, Max opened the side door. Spotlights illuminated the interior of the cavernous room, highlighting dozens of luxury vehicles. Each car was more ostentatious than the next.
“Whoa,” Chase exclaimed. “Nice wheels.”
“Who’s there?” a voice asked from the shadows.
“Oops. Sorry.” He shrugged in apology.
Max sighed with restrained impatience. “Take care of it.”
“Right, boss.”
In a blur of motion, Chase raced toward the direction of the voices. The sound of jaws breaking and bones snapping preceded the thud of two bodies hitting the floor.
Doc took off after Chase, her favorite Glock in hand, with Max and Ronan hot on her heels. They burst into the hallway to see several guards trying to take aim at Chase working his way through the gauntlet of men and Madden’s antiques. Doc took position behind a seven-foot-tall marble statue of Zeus and laid down a layer of cover fire.
“Go,” Ronan shouted at Max and shot off two rounds of his own. “We’ve got this.”
Max pulled the priceless oil paintings off the wall and hurled them at the sea of soldiers streaming their way.
“Take care,” he said, taking off down the hall, the sounds of shouting and gunfire echoed behind him.
Each long-legged stride took him away from one nightmare and closer to another. He had to reach her. He had to save her. Anything less was not an option.
Blood pounded in his head and raced through his veins to settle in his gut as image after horrible image of possibilities filled his mind.
Please, dear God, let me find her in time.