The drive back to their temporary safe house was filled with a heavy silence. The tension between Hayes and Wallace was palpable, but it wasn't born of anger or distrust. It was the grim understanding that they were heading straight into a fight they might not walk away from.
The city lights faded behind them as Hayes took the long route through the suburbs, weaving through darkened streets to ensure no one was tailing them. Wallace sat in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing in the side mirror, his mind clearly running a thousand miles per minute.
"What are you thinking?" Hayes asked, breaking the silence, though they had a pretty good idea of what was on his mind.
Wallace didn't respond immediately. He stared out the window, his expression unreadable. "We can't go into this half-cocked," he said finally. "Felix wasn't lying—Reed's going to have that place locked down tighter than a prison. We're going to need more than just bullets to get inside."
Hayes nodded. They'd already gone over the logistics in their head several times, but each scenario seemed to end the same way—with them surrounded. Reed's men were dangerous, but it was Reed himself who concerned Hayes the most. He wasn't just some criminal overlord with money to burn; he was smart, calculating. He'd been several steps ahead of them ever since the investigation began.
Now, with their backs against the wall, it felt like the noose was tightening.
"We need to think strategically," Hayes said, their voice steady, though a knot was forming in their stomach. "This isn't just a raid; it's an infiltration. We can't afford any mistakes."
"I'll reach out to some old contacts," Wallace said, his mind already moving toward the practicalities. "We need intel on the guards, the layout, exits… everything. If we go in blind, it's a death sentence."
Hayes nodded but kept their eyes on the road. They were running out of people they could trust, and every moment they spent planning was another moment Reed gained an advantage. But Wallace was right. This wasn't the kind of job they could muscle their way through.
The safe house was an unassuming apartment nestled between two run-down buildings in the older part of town. It wasn't much, but it was hidden and discreet—two things Hayes had come to value more than luxury. The moment the car pulled into the narrow driveway, Hayes cut the engine and listened for a second, scanning the surroundings. Nothing out of place. For now.
They entered the apartment in silence, the weight of the task ahead settling over them like a dark cloud. Inside, the place was dimly lit, sparsely furnished with little more than a couch and a small table littered with coffee cups and maps of the city. A laptop sat open on the table, several tabs still up from their previous research into Reed's network.
Wallace collapsed onto the couch, rubbing his temples. "We're going to need gear. Weapons, body armor, surveillance—if we want to get anywhere near that dock."
Hayes didn't respond at first. Instead, they stared at the laptop, their mind working overtime. Reed was holed up in that warehouse, likely with his most loyal men, and from what Felix had said, the place was a fortress. It wasn't just a matter of getting in—it was about how to do it without getting torn to pieces in the process.
"I'll call in some favors," Hayes said finally, pulling out their phone. "I know a few people who can help with equipment. But we need to move fast."
Wallace nodded but didn't say anything. He was already in his head, planning, calculating, preparing for what was coming. Hayes knew that look well. Wallace had always been the kind of person to overthink every scenario, trying to anticipate every possible outcome. It was what made him a good partner, but it also meant he carried the weight of the risks more than most.
Hayes dialed a number, leaning against the kitchen counter as the phone rang. After a few moments, a voice picked up on the other end. "Hayes. Didn't expect to hear from you."
"I need a favor," Hayes said, skipping the pleasantries. "We're going in on something big, and I need gear. Top-tier, no questions asked."
There was a pause on the other end. "How big are we talking?"
"Big enough that if you can't get what I need, you might be reading about us in the morning papers," Hayes said, their voice flat.
The voice on the other end sighed. "Alright. I'll see what I can do. What are you looking for?"
Hayes rattled off a list—guns, body armor, explosives, anything that could give them an edge. The voice on the other end took it all in stride, though there was a tension in the way they responded. "I'll get what I can. Give me 24 hours."
"We don't have 24 hours," Hayes said. "Make it 12."
Another pause. "Fine. I'll call you when it's ready."
Hayes hung up and turned to Wallace, who had been listening quietly. "We'll have gear in 12 hours. After that, it's go time."
Wallace nodded but didn't look relieved. He got up, pacing the small space. "What's your gut telling you?"
"That this is a suicide mission," Hayes said bluntly. "But it's the only option we have. If we don't hit Reed now, he'll keep coming for us. He's already got half the city under his thumb."
Wallace stopped pacing and looked at Hayes, his expression hardening. "Then we make sure we hit him hard enough that he doesn't get back up."
The words hung in the air like a dark promise. Hayes met his gaze, understanding the weight behind them. This wasn't just about surviving anymore—it was about ending it. Once and for all.
They both knew what was at stake. Reed was a dangerous man with dangerous connections, and if they didn't take him down now, he'd make sure they never got another chance.
"Get some rest," Hayes said, pulling up the maps on the laptop. "We've got a long night ahead."
Wallace nodded, though neither of them truly believed they'd sleep. The adrenaline was too high, the stakes too great. But they had to be sharp for what was coming next.
As the hours ticked by, the weight of the coming storm pressed down on them. Every minute brought them closer to a showdown they might not survive. But there was no turning back now. The endgame was in sight, and Hayes and Wallace were ready to face it head-on.