Chapter 64

Chapter Sixty-Three

Fiona sat at the kitchen table, her fingers drumming softly on the wooden surface. She had always been cool, calm, and collected-the one who guided her team through the toughest of situations. But tonight was a different story altogether. This wasn't just another mission; this was the beginning of the end. They were going to take down Cross, the man who had been haunting them for months, the man who had nearly destroyed everything they held dear.

Staring at Fiona, Victor leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest. "We've got everything in place. The communication hubs are our first target. When those are down, Cross won't be able to organize a coordinated response.

Fiona nodded, though her mind was already going through an infinite combination of possibilities. "So what about the third hub? In the warehouse?"

Julian, pacing near the window, swiveled to face them. "I've been going over the schematics. It is more heavily fortified than we thought it was going to be. But I think I have a way in that may get us inside. We'll have to move fast, though. Once inside, we'll only have a small amount of time to take down the servers before reinforcements show up.

Seated next to Fiona, Emma asked, "And Gregor? Do we have word on his situation?"

Kian, who had hung back in a corner, quiet until now, stepped forward. "Gregor's secure. My team has him under constant surveillance. No one gets near him that we don't know about. But Cross will come for him once he figures out what's going on.

"And that is exactly why we have to move at speed," Fiona interjected, her voice firm. "The longer we sit on our hands, the more opportunity that bastard Cross has for regrouping. We hit the hubs tonight, then we take down the warehouse. Once we've crippled his communications, we'll force him into the open."

The silence of the room was palpable as the weightiness of their circumstance settled upon them. They each knew what hung in the balance. They had been in danger before, but it was different this time. It was personal. Cross had taken so much from them, and finally they had the chance to finally end it.

Fiona stood and her eyes swept over her team. "We've come a long way together. I know you're all tired, and I know this won't be easy. But we're ready. We've prepared for this moment, and we're going to see it through."

Victor uncrossed his arms, his face set in a determined expression. "We'll make sure he has nowhere to run.

Julian nodded. "And when he's cornered, he won't have a chance."

Kian said in a more somber tone, "We have one shot at this. Let's make it count."

Fiona filled her lungs with air; a wave of determination washed over her. "We meet back here in an hour. Gear up, recheck your equipment, and be ready. We take the fight to Cross tonight.

The team disappeared, one by one, to make their way toward preparations for the mission that lay ahead. Fiona watched them go, her heart filled with hope and fear, as she had led them through so much already, and was now leading them into the final battle. There was no room for doubt, no space for second-guessing. They had to succeed. There was no other option.

As she went to gather her own gear, the images of all those people touched-understands 'touched' here in a rather awkwardly chosen sense-by Cross's actions, the pain he had caused, would not leave her mind. This was for them, too-for every person who'd suffered at the hands of his greedy cruelty. She would make sure he never hurt anyone again.

An hour later, the team reconvened in the living room, all faces set and eyes determined. They moved in an efficient silence, their focus on what was to be done, clear in their minds of the purpose. Fiona turned around toward them, a swell of pride welling up inside her. They were more than just a team-they were a family-bonded together by battles they had fought and the losses they had endured.

Let's move out," Fiona said, voice firm and steady.

With a nod, they moved towards the door, stepped out into the cool night air. Above them, the stars seemed to hold their collective breath as they moved with purpose, slipping into their vehicles headed for their first target.

The night was still, but Fiona knew that it wouldn't last much longer. Soon, the storm would break, and with it, they'd be waiting. This was where it started to go downhill; now, they were going to see it through to the end.

They motored into the darkness, and Fiona's mind went to Cross. He has no idea what he has coming to him. But soon he would. And when he did, there would be nowhere left for him to hide.