Chapter 993
Rachel, what’s done is done. They are family now. Embrace it, and just focus on getting along p>
“Don’t worry, Mira. I know what’s at stake p>
Meanwhile, Master Ellis finalized the tactical defenses. Beyond setting up an inner perimeter of guards inside the house, he pulled the neighborhood’s head of security aside for a private chat.
He completely replaced the existing gate guards with elite private military contractors until Mira’s team returned.
The original staff were sent home on an indefinite, fully-paid vacation, told to wait for
a call before returning to work.
“Is Eleanor going to go crazy being locked indoors for a month p>
Master Ellis asked.
“With our men holding the perimeter and monitoring the cameras, it’s perfectly safe for her to take walks in the courtyard or head down to play cards p>
“Sounds like a solid plan. I trust your judgment p>
If the entire compound was locked down by their own operators, no threat was getting in. Letting Eleanor get some fresh air was an acceptable risk.
Once their strike team crossed the border into the Balkan Underworld, at least they wouldn’t have to look over their shoulders worrying about home.
Wait, there was still one glaring vulnerability. “Master, make sure every single guard understands the rules. Once we step foot on that plane, the Quinn family is
blacklisted from this property.
And Eleanor is absolutely forbidden from speaking to any of them p>
Mira was specifically worried about Gwen Quinn trying to pull some manipulative stunt while they were gone.
Early the next morning, the crew grabbed a quick breakfast and mobilized, heading out with their respective protection details.
They rendezvoused with their cover group-a commercial tour package—at the high-speed rail terminal. Mixed in among the tourists were York Vance and Callum Young, both dressed in civilian clothes.
Mira spotted a familiar face and glanced at York. “Why is Felicia Foster here p>
“She begged brass for the assignment and practically forced her way onto the roster. We couldn’t stop her p>
The friction Felicia had with Mira was the least of his worries. The real issue was her volatile temperament. He just prayed she wouldn’t compromise the mission.
Aboard the train, Mira-who rarely brought up petty grudges-pulled Owen and Master Ellis aside, giving them a quick rundown of her clashes with Felicia back at the
training camp. It was best they knew who to watch out for.
“She’s a nobody. Don’t waste your breath on her p>
Owen said dismissively.
Master Ellis shot him a sharp glare. “You know nothing. A jealous woman is a dangerous variable p>
He turned back to Mira. “Keep your guard up. A vindictive person will cross any line when given the chance p>
“I know, Master p>
The three of them shared a row, and Mira affectionately looped her arm through her mentor’s. Being
surrommeted by people who genui cared about her was a comforting feeling.
York and Callum were seated directly in front of them.
Felicia was relegated to an aisle seat on the left side of the train with the rest of the group. She kept throwing longing glances at York, but he aggressively ignored her.
Scanning the carriage, Mira noticed Hank Whitlock and Clarence Doyle were missing. They must have booked passage with a different cover group.
Since diplomatic entry quotas were strictly limited, Mavaria had been forced to break
their strike force into small, decentralized civilian tour groups.
Mira leaned forward and tapped York’s shoulder. “What’s our total boots on the ground for this operation p>
“That’s classified p>
Mira dropped the subject without missing a beat.
Owen leaned in and whispered in her ear, “The military deployed five hundred men.
It’s a small footprint, but every single one of them is Tier One p>
When the train rolled into the southern border city, the team checked into a low- profile motel to rest and await the green light from command.
Mira’s squad used the downtime to gear up. Every pocket, holster, and duffel bag was meticulously packed with lethal countermeasures and medical supplies.
The chemical agents crafted by Mira and Master Ellis were completely odorless, colorless and didn’t trigger standard marcotte reagents. They would breeze right past border security.
The specialized weaponry Master Ellis had engineered was equally undetectable.
As for actual firearms, carrying them through customs was out of the question. The military was smuggling their arsenal across the border through shadow channels.