SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 169

Rain pelted the black waters of Cedar Lake as Alexander and Stefan crouched in the underbrush. The angry sky rumbled above them, lightning flashing in the distance. Through night-vision goggles, Alexander scanned the cabin that held Camille.

What had once been a rustic family retreat now resembled a fortress. Motion sensors dotted the tree line. Cameras swept the property in careful arcs. Two men with rifles patrolled the perimeter, their movements precise and military.

"She's turned it into a damn compound," Alexander whispered, his jaw tight with tension.

Stefan wiped rain from his face. "Rose never does anything halfway."

They'd left the boats hidden behind the split pine tree Margaret had called the "twin tree," the water team of six men now spread through the woods. The road team waited on the other side of the property, ready for Alexander's signal.

"Talk me through it again," Alexander said, his voice barely audible over the rain. "Every entrance. Every weak point."

Stefan closed his eyes, picturing the cabin he'd never visited but had heard described so many times.

"Front door faces the road. Back door opens to the lake. There's a cellar entrance on the east side, hidden under a fake rock garden." His hands shook as he pointed. "Kitchen window has a broken lock, or it did when the Lewis family owned it. Margaret always complained about it letting in cold air."

Alexander relayed the information through his earpiece to the teams. The rain grew heavier, a blessing that muffled their approach and blinded the cameras.

A guard passed just fifteen feet from their position. Alexander tensed, hand moving to his weapon, but the man continued his patrol, unaware of their presence.

"Six minutes until the road team creates their distraction," Alexander murmured. "Then we move."

Stefan nodded, clutching the small fishing lure Margaret had given him. The wood felt rough against his palm, a connection to a time when Camille had been happy, before he and Rose had destroyed everything.

Thunder crashed overhead as lightning lit the sky. In the brief flash, Stefan saw Alexander's face, not the controlled businessman he knew, but something primal and dangerous.

"If anything happens to her..." Alexander's words trailed off.

"It won't," Stefan said, trying to believe it himself.

Alexander checked his watch. "Two minutes. Jason, position report."

"East side secure," came the whispered reply through their earpieces. "We've identified three motion sensors and a trip wire. All disabled."

"West team?"

"In position. Guard approaching. Hold."

Tense seconds ticked by. Rain drummed against the leaves sheltering them.

"Guard passed. West side ready."

Alexander turned to Stefan. "You stay behind me at all times. If I say run, you run. If I say hide, you hide. No heroics."

Stefan wanted to argue, but the steel in Alexander's eyes stopped him. This was a side of Alexander Pierce that few ever saw-the man beneath the tailored suits and boardroom smiles.

"Thirty seconds," Alexander said.

Stefan tucked the lure safely in his pocket and checked his own equipment one last time. Unlike the others, he carried no weapon. Alexander had been clear about that.

reported. "Thermal imaging shows one guard at the exterior cellar entrance." "That's our way in," Alexander said. "Road team, begin distraction on my mark." The seconds stretched like hours. Stefan's heart hammered in his chest, a

"Mark."

the distance, an explosion rocked the night. A moment later, a plume of fire rose above the treeline near

signaled, and they were moving through

stories, a narrow deer trail that led to the old stone garden. The fire burned bright in the distance, drawing the attention

side, report,"

guards moving toward the road. Main

garden, now overgrown but still recognizable. Stefan pointed to a large flat rock

"There."

Two men stepped forward, shifting the heavy stone to reveal a set of concrete steps descending into

Jason, checking a handheld thermal device.

take point. Stefan, you stay here

static cut through

fire! Multiple armed tangos emerging from the

"Rose has backup." He turned to Jason. "We need

by two of his

came Alexander's voice. "Stefan, get down

down the steps into a dimly lit storage area. A guard lay unconscious

across the room. "Thermal shows two

sound of gunfire echoed

the team leader. "We've got

cursed under his breath. "She was ready for

this side," Jason reminded him. "They're focused

up. Breach

Stefan pressed himself against the wall, heart in

suddenly, ear pressed to

don't know how,

silence, pressing a small device against the door. A tiny screen lit up, showing a thermal image

Alexander whispered. "Rose

had discovered more than just guards the entire property had been rigged

we've found what looks like explosives wired to the foundation," reported a team member from

cold. Rose wasn't

said she used to panic if she didn't know exactly how to get out of

hidden

"I don't care what it takes. I'll

through the door, followed by a mechanical sound, something sliding or

reported the team watching the perimeter. "Looks

made a quick decision. "Change of plans. We breach now,

the team readied for entry. Whatever lay beyond

"Go!" Alexander ordered.

as the team rushed in,

of the property. In the center sat a chair with cut ropes hanging from its arms,

"No targets!" Alexander strode to the chair, touching the restraints. "Still warm.

panel standing ajar in

narrow tunnel lit by emergency lights. "They've moved

rushing toward the lake, taking defensive positions