Raven advanced as the goons took up formation, their leader, a hulking individual with a scar on his cheek, moving ahead. He radiated arrogance, the type of individual who thought himself to be above reproach.
"You got balls coming here alone," he sneered.
Raven smiled innocently. "Oh, I don't require balls. Just good timing."
The man scowled just as Dante's voice in her ear whispered, "Trigger is live. Say the word."
Raven cocked her head, playing dumb. "Hey, did you guys park those fancy SUVs by the warehouse doors?"
"Yeah? So what?"
"Oh, nothing. Just wondering." She smiled. "Boom."
The blast shook the lot, metal flying everywhere as two of the SUVs went up in flames. Mayhem broke out, gunfire spewing wildly as the men fled. Dante fired from his perch, taking out targets with chilling accuracy.
Raven dodged and rolled behind a pile of crates, firing back as their attackers turned on one another in panic. Shouts and the bitter odor of smoldering rubber filled the air.
Dante's voice broke in. "I think they're getting the message. Time to wrap it up?"
Raven fired one last round, striking the leader in the leg. He fell with a cry.
"Yes," she said, rising from her seat. "Time to leave a last message."
She walked over, looming over the injured man. "Inform your boss his business is over. If he attempts it again, next time, I won't destroy the cars alone."
He spat out blood but nodded. "You're crazy."
"And still, I'm leaving." She winked, then turned towards Dante. "Let's go before I get mushy."
As they ran toward their escape vehicle, Dante chuckled. "Sentimental? You? I'd pay money to see that."
She shoved him as they sped off into the distance, leaving nothing but destruction behind.
"Mission accomplished."
Meanwhile, back at the safe house, Lucas was pacing around the room, eyeing the kids while Valerie worked at the table, completing the final bits of surveillance work. When the door opened and Raven and Dante came in, Valerie didn't even glance up. "Took you long enough. Did you bring souvenirs?"
Dante threw a flash drive onto the table. "All the evidence you ever needed. Names, transactions, locations. It's over."
Lucas took a deep breath, shaking his head. "So you two managed to come back in one piece. Nearly disappointing. I was hoping for at least one melodramatic injury."
Raven flopped onto the couch. "Believe me, I was close to making it happen."
One of the kids pulled on Lucas's sleeve. "Are the bad guys gone?"
Lucas knelt down to child level and grinned. "Yeah, kiddo. They're gone for good."
Valerie yawned, finally settling for the first time in days. "Well then, I think we all have earned some rest. And perhaps a really, really big pizza."
Raven rolled her eyes. "Best idea you've ever had."
Dante grinned. "I'll order extra explosives—I mean, extra toppings."
They laughed, the burden of the mission lifting at last. For the first time in a long time, it felt as though they could finally breathe.