Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1824

Rizzo evaluated his options, a deep sense of dread settling in his gut.

A man who could infiltrate this fortress undetected was not someone to be trifled with.

He was surrounded by elite mercenaries and snipers, yet this operative moved like a phantom.

"You don't fight like a cartel operative. Who the hell are you? Law enforcement?"

Tarquin had no time for his questions. "Call your men in. Tell them you're transferring Eagle to a secure location to torture him privately."

Rizzo hesitated, desperately looking for an out, but the throbbing pain in his shattered arm served as a stark reminder of his mortality. Defeated, he called for his guards.

"Bring Eagle out to the SUV. I'm moving him to a secure black site. We can't risk a rescue op here."

The guards didn't question the order. They cut the chains binding Axel to the ceiling and hauled his limp body into the back of a waiting vehicle.

Tarquin pulled his tactical cap low over his face and forced Rizzo into the passenger seat before taking the wheel.

With Axel bleeding out in the backseat, they pulled out of the compound.

Since they were riding in Rizzo's personal armored SUV, the checkpoint guards waved them through without a second glance.

They reached the riverbank where Lowell was waiting in the shadows with an extraction team. As soon as the SUV idled, Lowell rushed forward.

Tarquin gestured to the back. "He's in the rear. Execute the plan."

Lowell wrenched the door open. Seeing Axel mangled and soaked in his own blood, tears instantly welled in his eyes.

He choked back a sob, motioning frantically for the medics to load Axel onto the extraction boat.

Once they were safely on the water, Tarquin threw the SUV in reverse and sped back toward the cartel territory, with Rizzo still held hostage.

Rizzo looked thoroughly confused. "You think you can just float down the river? We control those waters! You're dead men walking!"

Tarquin ignored him, his face a mask of cold focus as he navigated the dirt roads.

Ten minutes later, his comms cracked to life. Lowell's voice came through. "We're clear, Tarquin. Watch your back."

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