Ghostwalker 09 - Ruthless Game

that the point? Were they trying to drive home to him that he was stil weak?
    He ignored Baily and stalked across the room to snatch up a towel. Gideon leaned against the wal regarding him with worried eyes.
    “Tel him to go to hel ,” he suggested. “He’s a sadist.”
    “I haven’t even been working ten minutes,” Kane said, slightly ashamed. “He’s got me going up the ropes over and over, and my gut just can’t take it yet.”
    “This is a bul shit workout, and you know it,” Gideon said. “I think Eric went to sleep, or he’d be al over this guy.”
    Lights began flashing throughout the workout room.
    Gideon turned and ran for the door, Kane fol owing on his heels. The silent alarm had to have been triggered by one of the team; no one else knew about it.
    Two Ghosts coming out of Kane’s house. They both carry a precious package. Javier’s voice fil ed their minds. Steady. Cool. Lethal.
    Gideon broke off and went up the stairs two at a time. He could serve them better from the roof. He would be their eyes and wouldn’t miss if he got a shot.
    Kane could hear his blood roaring in his ears. He didn’t have to be told what those precious packages were. How the hel had they gotten in without triggering the alarm? Mack met him on the stairs and threw him a gun. He knew the other team members would be pouring into the street, onto the roof, and would be ready to go mobile if their prey somehow managed to get through the gauntlet of team members.
    Whitney’s two men burst out of the warehouse, running for the waiting SUV. It was dark with tinted windows and should have been running. Instead, al four tires were slashed and the engine was off. The man with the baby tore open the passenger door, looked inside to see the driver slumped over the wheel, his throat a mass of blood. Swearing, he slammed the door, and the two men took off running for the docks.
    I’ve got eyes on them, Ethan reported. He was on the roof of the second building, already making his sweep for enemies. Heading for the docks. He caught sight of Gideon running across the warehouse roof toward the ocean side. A movement on the roof of the building across the street sent a chil through him. Gideon, drop! Drop!
    Gideon threw himself flat as a bul et spit into vent housing, missing his head by a scant inch.
    Damn it, Gideon. Are you hit? I don’t have a shot. I can’t take the shot. Lucas? Again it was Ethan. Fucking fog.
    He hadn’t heard the shot, but there was no doubt one of Whitney’s sharpshooters had gained the roof of the apartment building, where they were most vulnerable. It wasn’t a long shot by any means and easily a silencer could be used without fear of losing accuracy.
    Shoot that bastard, Ethan, Gideon snapped, keeping down. He couldn’t help, pinned down as he was.
    I’ve got him , Lucas Atherton announced calmly. The sound of the shot cut through the drifting fog. He’s down.
    The three men on the roof of the buildings scrambled to become the eyes for the team spreading out like wolves hunting on the ground. People walked along the street, moved through the fish market at the far end of the docks, and workers unloaded cargo along the docks. Traffic moved slowly, and the world seemed oblivious to the drama taking place on the street.
    Javier, on a skateboard, dropped into position just a few yards from the fleeing men. He looked like any other teenager out for fun, sliding in and out of pedestrians with ease. He had spotted the SUV waiting in front of the warehouse and had taken a closer look before disposing of the driver.
    Kane and Mack burst from the warehouse and ran together, weaving in and out of the pedestrians, sprinting fast. A bul et shattered the glass of a smal bookstore, sending shards flying into the air and raining down onto the sidewalk and street. Several people screamed and began running.
    Take a left, Top, through the alley. You’ll get around in front of them. Javier is closer to them, and Brian’s flanking them on their left. Gideon was as calm as ever.
    Jacob’s closing in from the right, Lucas reported.
    Get the shooter, Mack snapped.
    Already done, Top, Ethan said as he took his shot. The shooter was in an apartment on the third floor, fifth window over. Ethan fired through the window, watching his bul et hit the target. He’s down. Sweeping now.
    Paul and Marc are right behind you, Top, Gideon added.
    Paul Mangan and Marc Lands were the best medics they had on their team. If Rose