“We’re here,” Thomas’s voice breaks me from my wandering mind. All distractions are cast aside until the beat of my heart resyncs with hers-Riri comes home now.
KARL
The truck stops outside LockCore Inc., and I pull down my balaclava, the white skulled bones etched into its fabric.
The guys do the same, their guns rechecked, ready to wreak havoc. I pull out my latest toys- Thelma and Louise. Guns work, but the blade is so much more thrilling. The machete and dagger are the perfect combination for the level of hell I plan to unleash in this building.
“Did you even bring a gun, you idiot?” Rowan asks, jumping from the back of the truck. His masked face matches my own.
“Of course I did,” I turn my hip so he can see the FNX-45 Tactical. “You know how much I enjoy making it personal, and this is as personal as it gets.”
Straightening, I put my blades away and double-check my gun- the magazine full and the safety off. With the built-in suppressor, we can light this building up like Christmas.
“Okay, two-person team entries, watch your partner’s six. Gamma and Sigma have cleared the entryway and are making their way to the upper levels. Beta and Delta will enter the lower levels first, and Alpha will follow. Remember why we’re here. Let’s get these girls home,” Thomas directs, and the teams file out.
Just as we walk toward the entrance, a man in a black suit runs out of the door, gun drawn, preparing to fire, but before he can lift the barrel of his weapon, there’s a hole between his eyes. His body drops to the ground.
I peer over my shoulder, trying to find where the sniper is.
“You won’t be able to see him from here. Eyes front- head on a swivel,” Sebastian orders.
As soon as we enter the building gunfire is heard, but no one breaks formation. Thomas and Erik are in front, August and I in the rear.
We walk down the main floor hallway, heading for the stairs. Thomas aims his gun up then down, surveying the stairwell, “Clear.”
Once we hit the bottom landing the door to the lower level entrance is already open, Beta and Delta having cleared the way initially. But once we step onto the floor, chaos ensues.
Our team is in combinations of shootouts or hand-to-hand combat.
Rowan takes out two men before Thomas utters, “Stay safe and stay focused. Let’s get to the rooms so we can start our search.”
We pick off people but don’t stop our forward progress. The teams have it under control.
I sense movement as we’re about to enter the first room. Snatching my push dagger, I wheel around and upper-cut the man rushing from my left flank-nailing him under his chin. Surprise lights his eyes as blood pools in his mouth. Grabbing my machete, I slice through his carotid artery and rip my dagger from his chin, letting him drop to the floor before I stomp on his skull.
As his body hit the ground with a thump, I wonder if people think, ‘This is it. This will be the one bad decision that causes my death.’ Do they ponder the moment that caused the domino effect that brought about their end? If they don’t, they should.
“You stupid fucks chose the wrong girl,” I shout, stepping over the asshole’s body.
“She’s not in here,” Liam shouts.
Fuck.
“Keep going,” Sebastian snaps.
Moving through the hallway, we enter room after room and still nothing. Frustration mounts every time we turn up nothing- no Emma, no Sam, and no people.
We’re at the last room on this floor, and Liam kicks it open, breaking formation.
I see Thomas gritting his teeth as the giant tries to reign in his temper. He wants Emma back just as much as we do, but he doesn’t want any of us getting killed in the process. Our dads would have his head.
“Can you please follow orders? If not, I’ll send you back to the truck,” his tone placating but firm.
“She’s not in here either,” Liam grumbles, holding one hand up to indicate his apology for his error. “Sorry, T, it won’t happen again.”
Huffing, Thomas delivers his next command, “The next level is the basement, and since Beta and Delta are tied up here, it means we’ll have to clear the floor before we search. Have your guns ready and your eyes and ears open.”
We reach the basement with no initial resistance. It’s looking like they didn’t expect us to make it this far down.
Stupid on their part.
Our movements slow as we travel down the dark corridor, only the emergency lights guiding the way.
Thomas gives the signal for us to break out into smaller teams. August and I are in step, moving together to form a unit without a second thought. The minute we enter the first room, someone drops from the ceiling, landing on both of us, sending our guns scattering.
August rears his elbow back, smashing the man in the face. I’m about to grab Lola when I’m kicked in the side.
Grunting, I grab his foot before the next hit can land, knocking him off balance. As he falls to the ground, I jump on top of him, balling my fist, and take aim.
Punch after punch. His face whipping left then right with each blow. I don’t stop until I hear the crack of bone.
“You picked the wrong day to show up to work,” I snarl, grabbing his neck with my left hand, my thumb pushing down on his throat. I watch his light blue eyes blow wide as his mind struggles to figure out why it’s not breathing freely anymore.
As he fights to breathe, I pull Lola from her sheath, releasing his throat long enough for him to gasp in one lung full of air before I plunge the blade through his Adam’s apple.
Wasting no time, I don’t bother to enjoy watching the light leave his pathetic eyes. I retrieve my blade, wiping his blood on his now dead face.
Can’t leave it dirty. She has more blood to collect.
Standing, I turn to see if August needs help only to discover he’s currently stomping his attacker’s face in, or what’s left of it.
“Wy, I think you missed a spot,” I joke, pointing to the part of the man’s eye, which is the only distinguishable thing left on his face.
August turns his maskless blood spattered face to me but doesn’t stop, moving from the dead man’s head and slamming his boot on his nuts.
“He died too quickly. He’s lucky my rage won out, or I would’ve saved him.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.