UNDERCOVER TO MY HEART

THE BREACH

The screech of tearing steel shattered the air as the black armored vehicle smashed through the outer compound gate.

Heavy iron doors buckled inward, crashing onto the concrete with a deafening thud that shook the entire yard. Floodlights blared from the roof of the assault trucks, blinding every man in the courtyard as tactical officers poured through the gap with shields raised high.

Get down! Jack yelled, pulling Bella flat against the cold ground behind a thick stack of wooden pallets.

Cartel enforcers opened fire from the upper catwalks, sending automatic rounds tearing through the diesel trucks and kicking up wild clouds of dust. Heavy caliber bullets ricocheted off the corrugated walls, filling the enclosed space with deafening noise and flying metal splinters. Federal smoke canisters bounced across the asphalt, filling the open courtyard with thick, choking gray fog.

He is getting away! Bella shouted over the roar of gunfire, pointing her pistol toward the rear bay.

Through the rising haze, Xavier Knight staggered toward a heavy armored secondary truck parked near the side alley. Blood soaked the entire shoulder of his expensive dark suit where Bella's bullet had struck him, but two heavily armed lieutenants dragged him into the front passenger seat. The massive diesel engine roared to life with a deep growl, black smoke belching from its exhaust pipes.

He has the paper manifest! Jack barked, scrambling up onto his feet. If he gets that sheet to the boat, those victims disappear forever!

The armored truck accelerated through the rear service gate, smashing straight through a chain link fence and disappearing into the rainy night.

Take that one! Bella yelled, pointing toward a heavy black motorcycle leaning against a tool rack near the garage entrance.

Jack did not hesitate for a second. He straddled the machine, kicking the starter pedal down with raw force until the heavy motor thundered to life under him. Bella leaped onto the pillion seat right behind him, wrapping her left arm tight around his waist while keeping her service weapon ready in her right hand.

Hold on! Jack shouted, twisting the throttle wide open.

The motorcycle launched out of the burning warehouse like a missile, tearing through the rain-slicked streets leading toward the commercial harbor. Cold rain lashed against Bella's face, blurring the red tail lights of Xavier's truck two blocks ahead. The giant diesel vehicle was weaving wildly around heavy shipping crates, throwing up towering walls of road spray as it headed straight for the deep water docks.

Shoot the back tires! Jack roared, leaning the heavy bike low to round a tight asphalt corner.

I cannot get a clean angle through this spray! Bella screamed back, her tactical vest soaked through with freezing water. Get us closer to the left side!

Jack twisted the grip further, forcing the engine to scream in protest as the distance closed. They pulled parallel with the speeding truck just as the road narrowed into the main pier access route. Bella leveled her sidearm, taking a short breath, and fired three precise shots directly into the rear driver side tire.

The heavy tire exploded with a loud bang, shredding black rubber across the slick pavement. The massive truck swerved violently, its back end skidding sideways across the wet planks of the pier before slamming hard into a steel mooring bollard. The engine sputtered out, steam pouring out from beneath the crushed metal hood.

Jack slammed on his brakes, sending their motorcycle sliding sideways into a halt just twenty yards away.

Out of the vehicle! Bella ordered, stepping off the bike with her pistol raised in a firm, two-handed grip. Put your hands where I can see them!

The dented driver door swung open slowly. Xavier staggered out onto the wet wooden planks of the pier, clutching his bleeding shoulder with one hand. His two lieutenants lay motionless across the dashboard inside. Rain poured down his face, pasting his dark hair across his forehead as he backed up against the edge of the dark ocean below.

It is over, Xavier, Jack said, walking forward with his fists clenched, his broad frame blocking the only land escape route. You have nowhere left to run.

You think you won because you brought the law to my door? Xavier sneered, his lips turning up into a bloody, manic grin. You always were too stupid to look at the big picture, Jack.

Drop the manifest, Xavier! Bella demanded, taking a slow step to the left to create a crossfire angle. Drop it and get on your knees right now!

Xavier let out a harsh, dry laugh that turned into a painful cough. He slowly lifted his uninjured right hand out of his jacket pocket.

He was not holding a gun. Clutched tight in his hand was a thick, black plastic box with a red toggle switch and a bright blinking LED light at the top.

Do you know what this is, agent? Xavier asked, his voice dripping with venom as he held the device up high.

Put that down, Bella warned, her finger freezing on her trigger.

This is a wireless remote detonator, Xavier said, his eyes wild and bloodshot under the harsh yellow pier lights. I placed three military grade demolition charges inside the heavy steel shipping containers sitting on that cargo vessel right behind me.

You are lying, Jack spat, taking one half step closer.

Try me, Xavier hissed, placing his trembling right thumb directly over the raised red button. The moment my thumb leaves this switch, or the second a bullet hits my chest, those steel containers blow wide open. The explosion will rupture the hull and send every single human being in those holds straight to the bottom of the ocean.

You monster, Bella whispered, her skin turning pale despite the freezing rain.

We all go down together, Xavier sneered, his body shaking from blood loss as he took a small step backward toward the edge of the pier drop off.

In the distance, the loud wail of approaching federal sirens echoed across the water, growing louder by the second as searchlights began sweeping the dark harbor.

Tell your friends to back off, Xavier ordered, his thumb pressing hard against the deadly red switch. Or I wipe them out right now!