Playboy (The Trident Series II: BRAVO Team #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Playboy exited the team’s building and slowly walked over to the bench that sat under a tree. Ignoring the chill in the evening air, he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

He feared they were running out of time. It had been almost forty-eight hours now—two whole days since Gabby was taken.

His mind replayed the moments they had watched from the parking garage’s security footage. Gabby had fought like hell. She was strong, fierce, and unyielding, just like always. He knew wherever she was, she was no doubt still fighting. But the thought of her in the hands of Ramon, sent a chill through him. The man was ruthless. He had killed his own parents because he thought they were too soft.

Every lead they had followed had turned into another twist in the nightmare. Selena had been their biggest source of information, but her condition kept her teetering between lucidity and unconsciousness. The revelation that she was Ramon’s sister had floored them all, though her claim of being estranged for six years added a layer of complexity. And then the bombshell: her ex-fiancé, the man who had attacked and took Gabby, had been someone she once sought for protection, but then he too had betrayed her somehow. To top it off, Tyson—the DEA agent put in charge of the drug bust Gabby and his team had been a part of was dirty. He had been playing both sides for Ramon. Playboy felt his stomach churn at the betrayal.

But despite everything, his team had been relentless. Each team member pushed their own limits, combing through every sliver of intel, and yet, it still hadn’t been enough. He clenched his fists.

The sound of the door behind him creaking open pulled him from his thoughts. Joker stepped out, his face hard but with a glint in his eyes. Playboy’s pulse quickened.

“We’ve got something,” Joker said.

Playboy’s heart skipped a beat. He surged to his feet, the knot in his chest loosening for the first time in days. He followed Joker inside.

When he entered the briefing room, the atmosphere was thick with tension, but a sense of purpose radiated from every person present. Tink stood by the table, his men clustered around him, battle-hardened and grim. Gabby’s teammates were there too, their faces set in determination, loyalty burning in their eyes. They were all in this together. Everyone had pushed aside their usual boundaries to bring Gabby back.

Playboy was about to ask what they had when the door opened again. He turned and froze, as he watched President Evans walk in, flanked by secret service agents. The room fell into a heavy silence.

What the hell was the President of the United States doing here?

Playboy's mind spun. He knew Evans had ties with Derek and Tink. If the President was personally involved, then it meant this mission had escalated into a national affair, yet it was being treated as a shadow op. Something that would never see the light of day.

Evans’ eyes swept over the room, stopping briefly on Playboy, acknowledging him with a curt nod. Then, in a low, measured voice, the President said, “I’m here because Gabriella Allen matters. I’m here because people I trust are leading this mission. And I’m here because failure isn’t an option.”

Playboy barely registered the president’s words as Tink took over. His voice was steady, resolute. “We’ve got her location. Gabby’s in Maria La Gorda, Cuba, being held at an estate owned by Ramon’s family.”

Playboy’s mind sharpened at the mention of Cuba. Of course, it had to be in fucking Cuba. The United States didn’t meddle in Cuban territory. There were too many political landmines, too much risk of creating an international incident. The government’s hands were tied. But then, Tink’s team wasn’t exactly the type to play by the rules.

Playboy’s gaze flickered toward Tink. He knew the kind of work his firm did. Their missions didn’t fall under any sanctioned authority. They did what was necessary, no matter what, to get the job done. They operated in the shadows, under the radar, and it was clear that this operation would be no different.

“We don’t follow the rules of engagement,” Tink said, his tone cold but resolute. “We don’t care about borders. And with the president’s,” he paused, glancing at Evans, “support, though he’ll deny it if this ever comes to light, we’ll go in, extract Gabby, and take down anyone in our way.”

Playboy looked around the room as the plan unfolded. The men and women here, all of them, Gabby’s teammates, Tink’s operatives, even he and his team, were all risking everything for this mission: their careers, their reputations, their lives. And yet, not a single person flinched.

His heart swelled with a deep sense of gratitude and respect for each of them. It wasn’t just a mission anymore. It wasn’t just about rescuing a fellow operative. It was about Gabby, the woman he loved, and they were all willing to cross a line to bring her home.

As the plan solidified, Playboy’s hope grew that they would reach Gabby in time and bring her home. They had to.