Alexander's POV

Vita abruptly ended the call and I brought my phone away from my ear in disbelief. She never answered me. Worry for her safety seeped into my heart.

A few hours ago, I received a call from someone that claimed to be Cadence Reyes, a person that was supposed to be dead according to Vita.

*

"Alexander Blades, my name is Cadence Reyes and if you do as I ask, I will reveal where Vita is held."

I immediately narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "You expect me to trust a dead woman?"

Cadence remained silent for a moment. "My elder sister had a bad run in with Cody three years ago and they killed her. She left behind a five-year-old son named Nolan. A few months ago, Efren used my moment of weakness to recruit me. When I didn't agree, he kidnapped my eight-year-old nephew and I haven't seen him since. I know you are protecting your family and are willing to do anything to keep them safe. Well, so am I, Blades."

"You and I are nothing alike," I replied back icily, not going further into detail that she betrayed her country and all her close friends.

"You will never find Vita fast enough without my help. She was able to survive last time but there's no guarantee that she will fight to live this time."

I clenched my hands into fists. "She's stronger than you think."

"I saw her, she doesn't look too good right now." She sighed. "Alexander Blades, you're doing everything you can to protect someone you hold dear, that is what I'm trying to do as well."

I clenched my teeth and looked around the room in frustration. "I need proof."

"I can't prove that Cadence Reyes is alive, but I can give you the location of my nephew."

"I'm not sure if Vita has ever told you about me or not, but I'm good with computers. I hacked through Efren's system and found where they were keeping my nephew. The reason why I couldn't go get him myself is that it is very well guarded and the moment they realize it's me, they're going to kill both of us and I can't risk that."

"Then, I need more than just Vita's location."

Cadence paused and sighed. "I can get you files on all of Efren's dealings, all his compounds and all of the members of his team."

I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling like I'm being pushed into a corner. "Give me the address of your nephew."

*

"Wait, what did you just say?" Emmaline widened her eyes in shock and disbelief.

"It will be all hands-on deck. We will be splitting into three groups. One will rescue Cadence Reyes' nephew, another will seize Efren's current compound and find Vita Simmons, the other will meet Efren at the set location. Cadence is aware of this plan and she will be giving us a signal when it will be the best to enter the compound."

"All at once?" She furrowed her eyebrows as she glanced at me questionably.

"The most important question is if we can trust this person called Cadence," Victor spoke up for the first time since I revealed my plans in our unit room.

"I was able to access her records and she is telling the truth about her nephew. A few weeks ago, he disappeared and never went back to school."

"You know it could be a trap for all teams." Victor eyed me cautiously.

I nodded. "Of course. The team that will be rescuing Cadence's nephew will have to do a full analysis beforehand."

"Or, 'Cadence' is already dead and the woman that contacted you could be entirely someone else." Victor continued to argue with me.

"Victor, I've talked with Vita before and they never found Cadence's body and Vita found some other clues that pointed towards the fact that Cadence could still be alive." I informed Victor calmly, fully understanding his reasons of being very weary. "And besides-"

Suddenly, the door to our unit room opened right before I finished my sentence and my mother walked in with a folder in hand. "There is a young boy kidnapped in the house that Cadence Reyes provided. Whether it is her nephew or not, that remains unknown, but it shouldn't really matter. We will be rescuing that boy and bringing him back safety."

"Cadence will be notifying us exactly when Efren and his team leaves their compound and she will be shutting down the compound to let us enter. However, all teams must be in position before that which means we have less than 24 hours to plan and execute our mission." I looked carefully at Emmaline and Victor and saw the flames of their fierce determination burning brightly.

*

"All in position?" I asked just to make sure all teams were ready before we began. Everyone's timing had to be just right or else one mistake could trigger Efren to come back with his team, meaning they will fully outnumber us.

One by one, confirmations came in and when everyone was ready, we simply waited. We all wore fully black outfits with semi automatic rifles ready in our hands. The silencers were screwed on and we each wore helmets with night goggles equipped.

We waited at least 15 minutes when I saw that all the lights of the compound shut down and I understood that it was Cadence's signaling us that Efren has left the compound far enough for us to enter.

There were three entrances. Team 1 and Team 2, my team, will be entering through two of the entrances and the third team, Team 3 will be on standby at the last entrance to wait for anyone that tries to escape the compound. We will be taking control of this compound one enemy at a time.

We all made a single line and entered in one by one.

My team will be splitting in half as soon as enter. Two of my team members, Murphy and Ross, and I will be focusing on finding Vita and getting her out of here while the others will be focusing on capturing everyone that works for Efren in this compound.

"What the-" A man walked towards us in confusion as he drew out his gun, one of my men knocked him unconscious.

We continued forwards and kept the fact that we have infiltrated into their compound as quiet as possible.

"Alexander, I just got a call from Cadence. She said that she shut off the lights earlier than she wanted because someone went into Vita's cell and he didn't come back out." I heard Emmaline's voice through the earpiece and I stiffened while the others in front of me continued to clear out rooms and take out Efren's men one by one. "Also, the lights will be coming back on in eight minutes."

"Is there a way to open my comms to Cadence?" I asked Emmaline.

"No need." I heard a new female voice, Cadence I assumed, through the earpiece and I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "I have your location. I'll lead you to her."

I hesitated only for half a second. "Fine."

"You might want to take a few people with you, I saw a few guards there before I turned the lights off."

I signaled the two that were supposed to follow me and soon felt two taps on my shoulder.

"Lead the way," I demanded gruffly.

"Keep going forwards and turn right, you'll see a set of stairs leading downstairs."

I walked forwards like she informed me and I saw one of Efren's men walking around in the dark confused. Ross quickly took him out while I kept moving onwards with Murphy.

When we reached the stairs, I went down first.

"At the bottom of the stairs, turn right again and there will be an open area. There were at least five men sitting there before the lights went out. You will need to cross the open area to go into a hallway." I heard Cadence's voice again.

I signaled to my two teammates to be ready.

"What the hell is going on?" I heard a man's voice penetrate through the darkness.

"Don't worry, the emergency generator will turn the lights back on in less than ten minutes." This other voice sounded nonchalant and uncaring.

"Why do you think the lights went out?" The first man I heard, questioned.

"Who knows. There's construction going on in the area so someone must have accidentally hit something."

I went towards the voices and since we could see them all and they couldn't see us, we took cover and quickly took them out. Looking past the open area of sofas, there was a narrow hallway.

"Vita's room is the third door on the left. I prepared all the documents and I will meet you all outside. The lights will be turning back on in four minutes."

As I reached the door, Murphy opened the door while Ross and I went in with our guns ready to fire. Before we could realize what was going on, Ross got tackled to the ground.

"Stop," I warned and was confused if we entered the wrong room. Then, I really saw who it was. "Angel," I breathed her name softly and she froze, her hand stopping mid strike.

Vita whipped her head towards me, her icy blue eyes widening in shock.

I quickly went towards her and reached out to help her get off of Ross. She immediately shrugged my hands off her shoulders and quickly got up, all the while looking away from me.

"Do you have an extra gun?" Vita questioned as she took a rapid glance at me before looking away again.

I unstrapped one of my handguns and handed it to her. When she reached for the gun, I didn't let go. "Vita, look at me," I spoke softly and gently, hoping to figure out what was wrong.

"Not now. Let's go," she grumbled stiffly before following Murphy and Ross out of the room.

Looking around the room one last time, I saw a dead man on the floor with his throat slit. I turned around and quickly followed the rest.

We kept a tight line while we retraced our steps.

Vita was walking in front of me and I realized that her footsteps were bloody, more specifically, her left. She favoring her right leg as she was walking.

"Angel-"

"Not. Now," she whispered each word harshly and continued on following the men in front of her.

We moved quickly and efficiently, soon we were all out of the building.

Ross and Murphy looked at me and I nodded. They both went to join Team 3 on standby at the third entrance as backup. I took off the night goggles as I realized the moon was bright enough for me to see.

Vita stood facing away from me and I reached out to lightly touch her shoulder. "Angel, look at me."

She turned slowly and tilted her face up to meet my gaze. The first thing I noticed was the large bruise near her temple and another near her opposite jaw, something I did not realize with the night goggles on. I quickly looked down at her left leg and saw that her jeans were soaked with blood and something metallic glinted in her wound.

"You were shot?" I asked through clenched teeth, fury boiling in my veins.

As I was about to lean down to examine her wound, Vita began sway on her feet and I grabbed her shoulders to steady her.

"Angel?"

Her eyes were emotionless and she wore a mask of impassiveness. I stepped closer until we stood toe to toe, chest to chest.

"Angel, you're safe now." I cupped her uninjured cheek softly and assured gently, hoping she would lower her walls down.

Vita held my gaze as she nodded slowly.

"You don't have to pretend you're okay."

She blinked twice and I soon saw her mask shatter. The thick walls she built to protect herself crumbled down, her eyes were glassy with vulnerability and her bottom lip trembled slightly. My heart broke as I saw her strong facade fall apart. My warrior angel was falling apart piece by piece.

"I'm here. I'll protect you."

Vita nodded again while blinking back tears. "I-I know." She leaned forwards to rest her head on my chest. I wrapped one arm around her shoulders and used my other hand to hold her head against my chest, enclosing her gently in my embrace.

"Alexander, I got news that Victor succeeded. He got the boy out and they're rounding all of Efren's men to bring them into custody. Efren never made it to the meeting point. Your mother will be calling you later with further details." I heard Emmaline's voice in my ear.

"Got it. Vita's out and the rest are clearing the compound," I informed her.

"H-how is she?"

"I need an ambulance."

"Understood. I'll call one from Phoenix." I heard Emmaline say and she became quiet after that.

Vita leaned back and looked up at me. "My parents?" Her voice was raspy and broken, her eyes hopeful.

I took my hand off her head to brush away stray strands of her hair that fell on her face. "The doctor said that your mom will make a full recovery and your father is out of surgery. His life's not in danger anymore, but the doctors are keeping a close eye on him."

She nodded in understanding and gave me a small smile. "Thank you, Red."

I frowned slightly at her thanks and was I was about to say something when I saw Vita's gaze harden as she grabbed the gun I had holstered near my waist, pointing it behind me with the safety off. I also quickly got my other handgun and turned around, pointing in the direction she was.

Vita was pointing at a woman walking out of the compound with a backpack and her blond hair high up in a ponytail. As I looked carefully, I realized it was probably Cadence. Vita push me slightly to the side and fully faced Cadence with her finger still on the trigger.

"Simmons, I-I..." Cadence seemed like she wanted to say something but she stopped herself and held up both of her hands in surrender.

I put my gun away and reached for the one in Vita's hands. I slipped it out of her hands without much trouble and Vita simply turned away from Cadence as she couldn't take the sight of her.

Once both guns were safely holstered, I looked towards Cadence. "Your nephew is safe. Go to the south-east exit and tell the men there that you're Cadence Reyes, they'll take you into custody and you'll meet him soon."

Cadence nodded silently and left Vita and I alone once more.

From the distance, I saw red lights flashing lights and I knew the ambulance was coming.

"Can you walk, Angel?"

She looked like she wanted to lie, but she answered truthfully. "No."

I bent down to put arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees. She put her arms around my neck with a small wince as I lifted her up.

"This is slightly humiliating." She cringed and I smiled.

The ambulance stopped near us and the paramedics came out with a stretcher. I placed Vita gently on the stretcher and brushed the tip of my nose against hers.

As much as I wanted to go with her now to the hospital, I had to take of the situation here so I couldn't. As I opened my mouth to inform her that I will be joining her later in the hospital, she beat me to it.

"I'll be fine." Her blue eyes glinted in strength and I knew my fierce angel was back.

She reached upwards towards my face and cupped my cheek. "Go."

I nodded and held her hand for a moment longer before stepping back to let the paramedics carry her into the ambulance and take her away.

"Emmaline?" I called for her hoping she heard me through the earpiece.

"Yes?"

"Vita's on her way to the hospital, what's the status of the team."

"Victor is wrapping up on his end. The entire compound is cleared, all of Efren's men are either dead or in custody. Cadence Reyes is still waiting with Team 3. I'm not sure what's going on with Mrs. Blades."

"Got it."

I quickly made my way towards Team 3 and spotted Cadence sitting on the floor by herself, silently in contemplation.

A few extra armored trucks arrived so that we could transport Efren's men. All of Efren's men will be taken into the cells at Phoenix Headquarters and while Cadence will also be in custody, she'll be taken immediately into one of the interrogation rooms where we'll have a guard stationed.

One of the team leaders came towards me. "Agent Blades, the compound is cleared. I'll have a few of my men keep an eye on it tonight until FBI comes to formally take care of the compound."

"Understood. I'll take the rest of men back to Headquarters."

He nodded and then went back to his team.

"Emmaline," I started knowing she could hear me. "You can go back to Phoenix. It's done."

*

All of Efren's men that we've captured were in cells for further questioning later. Cadence was waiting in the interrogation room and Victor brought in her nephew. He told me that both Cadence and her nephew were crying in relief. Cadence also handed us her computer where there were files upon files of Efren's dealings that we'll have to go through with a group of people to sort through them. She's still not off the hook but her and her nephew were moved to a guarded room where there was a bed and some food for them.

I received a call from my mother that they were able to find and surround Efren, but Efren and half of his men still escaped. She will continue pursuit.

Victor and Emmaline both went home while I was in the waiting room of Phoenix Headquarters' hospital section, waiting for Vita to come out of surgery.

A few hours had passed when a doctor came by to inform me that the bullet in her leg was removed and she also received stitches on her shoulder. Two of her ribs were cracked, her torso and legs were badly bruised and she also had a mild concussion from a rough blow to the head. The doctor told me that they would be keeping a close eye on her bullet wound for infections.

I walked quietly to Vita's hospital room and closed the door softly behind me. Sitting on the seat next to her bed, I eyed her carefully in the light. She looked peaceful.

Relief flooded through me as it finally hit me that she was back, alive, and safe. I reached for her hand and held it gently in mine as I leaned forwards with my elbows on my knees. My breath shook as I breathed in deeply.

I kissed her palm and pressed her hand to my face for a moment before I gently placed her hand back on the bed and stood up. Brushing her hair away from her face, I leaned down and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Don't leave me, Angel. What would I do without you?" My voice broke as I remembered the feeling of devastation when I realized that Vita had left.

"I lose." I paused as I stared at her sleeping peacefully.

Sitting back down, I held her hand in both of mine carefully. "I love you, Vita."

****

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Yours truly,

InvincibleBunny