“Papa One at the east side of the south annex. Awaiting further instructions.”
“Papa Three entering annex from the south. Get the fuck insidenow,”came Mac’s hiss. “She’s getting married!”
I balked and my heart all but lurched out of my chest.
“Papa One on the move,” Claire hastily replied while I acted.
The instant I kicked in a large wooden door, Claire surged past, and all hell broke loose.
Papa Team Three broke a window and raided from our left, one after the other jumping through the shattered pane and battle-rolling before gracefully coming to their feet. Weapons were raised in the aim and yelled demands filled the small church.
A dozen or so people lined the two rows of pews on either side of a wide aisle. At the front and center of that aisle stood Hallie, mouth agape yet not pulling out of the stranger’s possessive grip. An older male easily identified as her father shot to his feet and came for us, face red and bellowing commands to his goons.
Security descended on us, making our intentions to have no casualties all the more challenging. Locked in hand-to-hand combat, Claire, Kellie, Nevada, and I fought off the guards while Mac took out the guy beside Hallie, then shoved Hells from the alter. Mac propelled her our way, seemingly having to force each of Hallie’s steps. The long dress kept tangling in her legs until Mac impatiently reached down and gathered it.
Hallie was a vision, but even from across the room she appeared distant and dazed. Her reaction time was lethargic compared to her usual primed and calculated movements.
Snagging a momentary reprieve after disarming another guard, I braced as Hallie catapulted into my arms.
“Get her the fuck out of here—she’s been drugged!” Mac yelled.
“Fuck!” I swooped and slung Hells over my shoulder, then took off running full tilt from the church. I sprinted across the outdoor courtyard with Claire’s radio call in my ear.
“Papa HQ, request Playtime immediately at rendezvous one-bravo.HELLFIREretrieved and coming in hot with assistance.”
“Roger. Moving now,” came Jackie’s immediate reply.
Nevada’s update was next. “Papa Team Two hasSWANin possession. Making our way to rendezvous one-bravo now.”
Hallie’s sedated weight bounced with each of my sprinted steps. My concerns over her welfare heightened from her lack of grip or rigidity. Usually in this hold, she’d support my lower back, but her touch was nonexistent aside from limp arms knocking against my ass as I ran.
I rounded the east wing of the manor with the girls’ pounding footfalls close behind. Jackie pulled the van to a screeching halt in the yard, ten feet in front of me, and sprinted around the hood. She tore open the side door as I came to a halt before it.
“Has she been shot?” Jackie exclaimed.
“No. Mac reckons she’s been drugged. I think she’s right.”
I grunted while loading Hallie onto the first bench seat. “Fuck, she’s all floppy. Hallie, babe, wake up!” I knelt on the seat beside her and lightly slapped her cheek, my actions growing more urgent when there was no response.
“Hurry the fuck up and get in. We need to go!”
“Claire, Lexa, and Ty are almost here with Trudy.”
I leaned half-out the door and gesticulated wildly. “For fuck’s sake, hurry! She’s unconscious.”
A harrowing cry came from Trudy’s mouth when she saw her daughter. “What did they do to her?” she panted.
“Drugged,” Claire deadpanned while Ty assisted Trudy into the van.
Running boots coming our way accompanied Trudy’s name being called in panic. “Trudy! Trudes, wait! Please wait.”
Claire raised her rifle and stepped forward. “Halt!”
“Please, don’t shoot. I need to say goodbye to Trudy!”
Hallie’s mom gasped. “Arnauld! Please, can I have one moment?” she pleaded to Lexa, who stood blocking her path.
“You have one,” Claire snapped.