A black Sikorsky swept in over the familiar shape of the rotunda at the Palace of Fine Arts to hover above the grass near the pond. Easton followed Vander, Rhys and Saxon behind him, as they jogged toward the helicopter.

As they leaped aboard, Easton was hit with a flashback to his Ranger missions. Except this mission was the most important one of all.

He pulled in a breath and realized his head was clear. Harlow was his focus.

Maggie was in the pilot seat, headset on. She waved and pointed. “Vests and earpieces.”

Under the seat, Easton spotted a box of bulletproof vests and sleek earpieces so they could communicate.

Vander grabbed a vest and earpiece, then dropped into the seat beside Maggie.

As Easton pulled his vest on and fastened the Velcro, the helo lifted off. Moments later, they were flying out over the Bay. He slipped his earpiece in.

Vander leaned back. “Ace has the boat on drone camera. Two minutes to intercept.”

Easton’s jaw was rock solid as he stared out the side of the helicopter. Alcatraz Island came into view.

Then he spotted a white dot against the royal blue of the water. It got larger, and the boat took shape.

Vander slid into the back.

“Hugo will know we’re coming, so expect a hostile welcome. Maggie will get into position, we’ll drop ropes, and rappel down.”

It was risky as fuck. They weren’t fully decked out. It was a small boat. And it was certain that Hugo would be armed. He could hurt Harlow.

Vander gripped Easton’s shoulder. “We’ll get her.”

He nodded.

They got closer and now he saw Hugo at the controls of the boat. Where was Harlow?

Then Easton spotted her on the deck, her wrists tied together.

She looked up.

At the same time, Hugo pulled a handgun.

Not going to stop us, asshole. Easton gripped the edge of the door. Time to get his woman back.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The noise of the helicopter overhead was loud.

Harlow saw Maggie in the cockpit, face focused as she swung the helicopter around.

Then Harlow saw Easton.

Her heart leaped into her throat. He’d come for her. Like she’d known he would. He stood in the doorway, the wind whipping his hair around his face.

Hugo moved, and when she glanced at him, she saw him pull a gun.

No!

He fired. The helicopter jerked. She saw Hugo grinning, swiveling to aim right at Easton.

No fucking way. Time slowed down, her muscles bunching. She had a split second to remember that she’d promised Easton that she wouldn’t throw herself at armed men. A flash of bright orange beside her caught her eye.

There was a large life vest under the bench. She grabbed it with her bound hands, and leaped up.

She smacked the life vest into Hugo’s head. He shouted, and the gun flew out of his hand.