In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 262

Roman stared at the warehouse through the early morning light, they were waiting for Agent Rogers to get the thermal imaging readout. Three hours of surveillance had confirmed this was it. Luca's drones had identified movement around the warehouse, and the positioning matched everything they'd deduced from Sutton's photo analysis.

Four armed men had been patrolling. There was a window in the right location that they were sure had to hold Keira and Prince Alexei. But they had moved inside about thirty minutes ago which worried Roman. What was happening?

"This has to be it," Mitchell said quietly, lowering his binoculars. "Has to be."

Roman's jaw clenched. Every muscle in his body screamed to storm the building, to tear apart anyone who'd dared touch Keira. She may be prickly, but he loved her like family. He had to force himself to wait, to think tactically. Blair was counting on him to bring her sister home alive. It would kill her to lose her sister. Life wouldn't be that cruel to the sisters after being through so much.

Agent Rogers returned from his vehicle, holding a tablet displaying the thermal readout. "Four armed hostiles positioned at the north entrance. Two heat signatures in the southeast corner, lying down on what looks like a low bed…most likely a cot."

"That's Keira and the prince," Luca said grimly, crouched beside Roman behind a shipping container.

Rogers studied the data. "The layout's perfect for extraction, but we need overwhelming force. These guys won't go down easy, and we can't risk them turning on the hostages."

Roman looked at the assembled team, Mitchell and his Wystovian operatives, his own security personnel, and Rogers. Not exactly a SWAT team. Plus, he didn't know if any of them firing a gun would get them thrown in jail.

"I'm calling this in," Rogers announced, pulling out his phone. "We need proper backup."

"How long?" Mitchell demanded, clearly not happy.

"SWAT's been waiting since yesterday evening. Twenty minutes tops. Had them prepped to move the second we got thermal confirmation."

Roman's hands fisted. Twenty minutes felt like twenty hours when Keira was locked in that building.

"We wait," Rogers continued, reading his expression. "I know it's killing you, but going in half-cocked gets people killed. Your sister-in-law included."

"I don't need—" Mitchell started

But Rogers cut him off. "Not happening Mitchell, I will lock you all up the minute you move. This is now official."

Roman gave a grim smile when Mitchell said fuck.

Thompson looked at Rogers, who sighed. "I'll take responsibility, I have worked with them before." he said reluctantly. "And they know the hostages personally. Could be useful for keeping them calm during extraction."

"Fine, but I want it noted I don't like it." Thompson conceded. "But you follow Rogers' lead and stay behind the tactical team. One wrong move and you're out."

The SWAT team moved with practiced efficiency, splitting into their assigned groups. Roman, Luca, and Mitchell followed Rogers as they circled to the southeastern entrance, it was an old loading dock that would put them closest to the hostages.

Roman's heart hammered as they approached the building. Every step brought him closer to Keira, closer to bringing her home to Blair. He thought of his pregnant wife, probably pacing their living room right now, terrified and helpless. Waiting for news.

The SWAT team reached the main entrance. Through their radio, Roman heard Captain Thompson give the order.

"All teams, go."

The night exploded into controlled mayhem. Flash-bang grenades lit up the darkness, followed by shouts of "Police!" and the thunder of boots on concrete.

Rogers led their smaller team through the loading dock entrance, sweeping each corridor methodically. The building was a maze of storage rooms and narrow hallways, but the thermal imaging had given them a clear path to their target.