Page 247 of Allegiance

Rogue punched Zayn.

“Are you going to be a dick this early in the morning?” he asked.

Gene shuddered, keeping the entertainment going.

“Do we really have to discuss titties? They creep me out.”

Jagger laughed.

“You’re all insane,” he said, as Maura drove them, making sure to keep a good distance behind the man.

“One cup of coffee is not making me cheery,” she said. “Anyone want to postulate whose ass I’m going to ride if you guys don’t shut up?” she asked.

That seemed to work.

“He’s taking the turnoff ahead,” Jagger said. “He is going to the airstrip. We have to get to the woods and haul ass.”

She knew he was right.

Once the cop turned off, her lights went on, and she put the pedal to the metal.

They found some trees to hide the vehicle, and now, they were going in on foot.

Out of the vehicle, they each grabbed guns from the back and a little present from the CIA. It was updated night vision gear that had attached earpieces. Pulling them on, she pointed.

“Follow the leader. We find him, and we wait for my signal. Am I clear?” she asked. “We don’t know what’s in that airstrip. I don’t like going in without recon. So keep your asses hidden.”

No one wanted to get shot, so they were going to do exactly what the Major said.

With Jagger all over her, since she was pregnant, they headed into the trees.

They weren’t too thick, and that was likely good.

New Orleans bayous had snakes, spiders, and shit that would eat you if you let your guard down.

Gators.

Lots of them too.

As they moved through, they saw the taillights. Maura needed them to be ready for anything.

“Zayn, climb a tree,” she said.

The man saluted and disappeared into the thicket without a single word. If you wanted to sneak up on someone, send a Native.

He was silent.

As they hunkered down, Maura was thinking that not bringing Jinx might have been a misstep. She wanted to give Boone, Jinx, and Tommy some sleep—in case she had to use them later.

“Let’s see what this douchebag does,” she whispered, their coms all picking it up.

Now, it was time to see who would show up to meet him.

And would it be the end of the game?

Or not?

Meanwhile…