“At the same time they do that, we’ll breach from the cliffs.” Carter gestured to Easton. “He’ll be our pilot on the Little Bird, handling things from the sky and heading up Foxtrot Team. Two gunners to take out their snipers in the overwatch towers. From what I’ve heard, Hudson is one of your best snipers, so once we’re on the property, he and I will move into the overwatch positions there.”

“And I’ll also be ready to take out any reinforcements they may call in for backup, stopping them before they can get into the compound,” Easton said.

I’d prefer Easton to be with Juliette and my son, but I supposed we had no choice if he was our only pilot.

“And what, you just pulled a helicopter out of nowhere?” Colin, with that remark, of course.

“While Carter’s been known to pull a Black Hawk from his ass on occasion, we owe this helo to Emilia,” Easton told him, a sly smile crossing his lips as Carter said something under his breath in response.

“So, we’re swimming and rock climbing today?” Alessandro griped, heading for the gear and weapons table at the center of the room. “Two of my least favorite things to do. Aside from running, of course.”

We were cut from the same cloth.

“The MCX Rattler should work just fine if it gets wet.” Alessandro picked up the rifle and examined it.

Colin eagerly stood by his uncle, checking out the artillery, and Enzo circled the table to join them.

“I suppose we’ll take a short break, then get back to it soon,” Emilia said, then pulled her husband off to the side of the room.

I focused back on my son as Enzo pointed to a box of ammo and said, “Those are armor-piercing rounds.”

“No way. That’s badass,” Colin remarked.

“And this beauty here is good for CQB. The blackout rounds are subsonic. Less noise and more stopping power.” Enzo handed Colin the .300 Blackout. Also known as the Sig MCX Rattler rifle.

I quickly maneuvered around my brother, knowing seeing our son holding a weapon of war would give Juliette a heart attack. Because no, this was not Call of Duty. “Yeah, I’ll be taking that.”

“Well, you’re no fun.” Colin rolled his eyes.

“None at all.” Enzo elbowed me in the side before offering Colin the Sig Sauer P320 sidearm just to mess with me.

“Payback will be fun when your kids are old enough for—” I dropped my words, realizing I’d let myself head north and into the future—a future where I was still alive.

At the feel of Juliette lacing her fingers with mine, my thoughts derailed, and the chatter buzzing around us became white noise.

Don’t do this.

Don’t ask me to make you a promise I can’t keep.