“Are you kidding me?”

Ranger got it. “Listen. I know this sounds flimsy, but I promise we’re the good guys. And if we don’t stop this—”

“Let me make a call—”

“We don’t have time!” Dodge said.

Wow. Ranger glanced at him, brow up.

“Listen. I’m former Air Force. Ranger is a former SEAL. And the guy in there, our brother, he’s Delta Force. We’ve been tracking this virus for a while. It’s lethal, and if we don’t stop whatever is going down, it’s going to get worse. Much worse. You’re going to have to trust us.”

Abe considered them for a moment. Then, “Fine. But I’m calling for backup.”

“Good. But keep them back.” Dodge headed for the door.

Abe pressed the gun into Ranger’s hand, then stepped back, pulling out his flashlight. This he also handed to Ranger.

“Thanks,” Ranger said. “Stay clear of the building.” He turned to follow Dodge.

Noemi grabbed Ranger’s arm.

He rounded back to her. “Babe, I—”

“I know you have to go. I just wanted to say I love you.”

He grabbed her around the back of the neck and kissed her. Quick. Solid. Forever. “You’re my girl.”

She met his eyes, hers so dark and beautiful. “Yeah, I am. So come back to me.”

“Has it occurred to you that maybe God has especially designed her to be in this with you?”

Yeah, she was.

“Good copy.” He took off for the building.

Dodge was already by the door, trying the keys.

“You open it, let me go in.”

“We go in.”

“No. Only me.” He met Dodge’s eyes. “Because you’re a pilot.”

Dodge stood up. “No. I was on the mission with you in Nigeria. I can shoot.”

“We have one gun, bro. And I’m used to shooting in the darkness. You close this door behind me and don’t open it again until I come out.”

Dodge didn’t move. “No. We have one gun. And I’m the one who can see.”

The words hit Ranger like a punch.

“You miss, you shoot Colt. Or Tae or . . . I don’t know.”

Ranger drew in a breath. He’d hit his target just fine at the compound.

“You are just as stubborn as your brothers. You don’t want to admit when you’re in over your head. When you’ve gone too far, and you’ve found yourself in trouble.”

He slapped the gun into Dodge’s hand. “Listen up. You go in the door, there’s a workbench to your right and a wall to the left. The shooter is against the wall. And probably Colt by now, so look alive. The drones are popping lights in and out, so keep your eyes down so you don’t get flashes across your vision. And don’t hesitate. You see the guy, you shoot the guy. I’m right behind you.”