After dragging them into the bushes to maintain our cover, I swapped my Karambit for my Glock 19X, a crossover pistol that handled water better than a regular Glock.

Carter informed the teams we were in position, and Sebastian ordered Easton to fly in. “Start the countdown,” he told Gwen just before gunfire erupted on his cue from all directions.

“Alpha Team, you’re a go,” I transmitted once the helo gunners successfully took out the watchtowers. “We have your six.”

I took a knee beside Carter, using the bushes for cover as we fired off rounds at the guards rushing the property. Above, Easton banked hard and disappeared, diverting enemy focus.

“Delta has breached. We’re inside,” Emilia reported over comms. “Move to Phase Two.”

Hudson and my brothers reached our position up top.

Time to split up.

“This is TOC,” Izzy cut in. “Alpha Team, you have at least five hostiles advancing toward you. Target packages are still in the center of the house, but there’s a flurry of movement inside.”

“This is Alpha Two, roger,” I confirmed. “We’ll cover you.” I glanced at Hudson and Carter as Enzo and Alessandro flanked me. I gave Hudson a slight nod, silently telling him to be safe and not get himself killed, and then he took off with Carter.

“This is Foxtrot One, doing a quick flyover to help clear that path to the watchtowers for you,” Easton said as the helicopter blades chopped the air, announcing his return.

The guards on the ground redirected their focus to the helo, giving me an opening. I sniped the closest tango who’d made himself known, putting him down before he could raise his rifle, then took out two more with suppressed headshots before Easton finished off the last two.

“Alpha Team, you’re a go. Move in,” Carter signaled once he and Hudson were in position.

Rifles in hand, my brothers surrounding me, we rushed the property, closing the distance to the main house where Delta Team was already inside.

“This is Foxtrot One, looks like they called for backup,” Easton alerted as we neared the back terrace. “Second wave inbound. Two vehicles approaching fast. We’ll take them out,” he assured us.

“TOC, we’re going in. I need your eyes,” I requested.

Alessandro tossed in a flashbang before we breached the first hallway, clearing rooms according to Gwen’s instructions.

Just as I moved down the next hall, a smoke grenade landed at our feet. Thick, acrid smoke swallowed everything in sight, including my eyeline to my brothers.

Instinct kicked in, and I yanked up the bandana from around my neck, covering my nose and mouth and keeping low as I scanned for movement.

“Alpha Two,” Izzy came through my earpiece a moment later, her voice sharp with urgency. “Tango immediately coming from your right with a knife. You see him?”