Unmasked (Simon Riley)

Chapter 23

*Brooklyn's POV*

I watch Price as he paces back and forth, voice booming as he goes over the plan again. My hands are shoved in my tac vest as I listen, Milo fidgeting with his own gear beside me.

"Understand?" I nod, everyone around giving similar responses. The task force and I are explicitly waiting for any signs of the attack starting, while a few hand picked men have been sent to watch important locations around DC.

The sun is slowly starting to set, time reading about 5pm. Price dismisses everyone he was briefing, definitely a larger group than I'm use to, and we are left to sit and wait.

Everyone left has been split into two teams, the plan being to infiltrate whichever building Nikolai has chosen from two different entry points.

Ghost is leading one team, Price leading the other. I approach Ghost as we are dismissed, him tightening down his vest and checking his guns. "Ready, love?" He says, glancing up briefly to greet me, still focused on his gear.

"Never better," I joke, reaching up and straight his vest, which is sitting crooked on his shoulders. I get a satisfied grunt in response, him patting over my own vest.

"You'll be careful, yeah?"

I nod, "you too?"

"Always."

I smile up at him, wishing I could see his smile in return. "Look," he says, pulling my attention back to him.

He reaches for my walkie on my vest, "you need me, you go to this channel." He switches to a channel I've never seen before, showing me the name and how to get there.

"And I'll be there." He finished. "Who else has it?" I ask, switching between it and the main channel. "Just us, just incase."

I smile softly up at him, "we'll be fine. Besides I wouldn't want to pull you from your squad. He shakes his head. "If you need me, you call me. They'll be fine, you're what matters to me. Not the mission, not leading a squad."

I'm at a loss of words from his statement, only able to nod in response. "Sir," I hear from behind me, turning to spot a man speaking to Price in a hushed voice, leading him towards a nearby building. I know this building is where we are keeping tabs on the scout, feeling anticipation we are soon going to be heading out.

Ghost notices too, gently tugging my attention back to him. "Don't do anything stupid," he says sternly, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face.

"Don't worry about me, everything will be fine," I reply softly, grabbing his hand in mine.

"Brooke!" I turn slightly towards the voice, Milo waving me over to the building Price just entered. "Show time," I mumble, looking back to Ghost.

"Be safe," I tell him. "I love you," he responds, gripping my hand in his. I smile, squeezing back, "I love you too."

And with that, I jog off towards Milo, following him as we enter the building. "Shots fired!" A voice screens over the comms. "We're moving out," Price says harshly, nodding towards me as I enter.

I nod in response, heading back outside and yelling out to everyone. The place immediately jumps into action, Helicopters starting up, men jogging to their places, Price and Ghost barking orders to their respective teams.