Ray first checked the surveillance feed. Only after confirming that everything was safe did he step outside.

In weather this cold, an ambush was unlikely—but a little caution never hurt.

Caution was the first rule of survival.

The frigid air rushed in, and Ray's mind immediately sharpened. All the flirtatious beauties at home were pushed to the back of his thoughts. Thinking about lust at a time like this would be nothing but courting death.

As he exited the passageway, he saw light in the d