Page 57

“Keep your head down!” Fyo barks, shoving us forward. The way ahead is clear and we scurry like rats. Without a proper bead on the sniper, we cannot be careless. Clearing the factory doors, we slow, assessing the surroundings, looking for a back door.

There is no way out except the upper-level catwalks.

A few shattered windows high up near the rafters will give us access to the adjoining roofs. If we can make it up the broken stairs, the rusted ladder.

But by the time we reach them, this warehouse will be full of black-clad bastards with guns.

“We need backup, I will call it in—” I flip out my cell, pulling up the number.

No bars.

No signal at all.

“This fucking building is blocking my signal!”

“New plan,” Fyodor cocks his gun, setting it next to the door. He proceeds to haul machinery, anything he can reach in front of the opening, blocking the way. They will have to climb. Ciro joins in.

Angry shouts outside announce the arrival of our pursuers. Dozens of them. A few wayward shots ring out before the front of the building erupts in a ticktack of bullets. Only a few make it through the doorway, sending us diving.

“One of us should get out, try to get help.”

“Vanya, you are fastest?—”

“No way. I am not leaving you here to die.”

“Van…” Fyo growls a warning, spinning to unload a spray of pellets into the first face trying to get through the opening. “Do not make me pull rank…”

“Bullshit!”

Because technically he can in a situation like this. He is in charge of missions, troops. I am the operations manager. So in the field…

“Fyo, do not be stubborn. We will find a way?—”

Ciro shoves me aside as a canister clatters into the factory, spraying smoke.

“We are going. Now!”

Their tactics actually buy us time. They think they will smoke us out, so they do not rush in right away.

Just enough time for the three of us to climb the scaffolding in the back corner, reaching the rickety catwalk. But the window is too small for Ciro or Fyodor.

“Go!”

I start to argue but they both move to lift me up, forcing me bodily out of the thin gap. A part of me wants to scratch and kick for the indignity of this.

“I swear, I will kill you both when this is done!” I shout, climbing to my feet and running for the edge of the building. Gunfire echoes around me, down below and inside. They see me, but I am too quick, hopping down onto an old fire escape.

Landing hard, I look around the old yard, blocked off by high walls. The only way out is an overgrown gate.

But a grin spreads across my face as I take stock of the various vehicles. This is a parking lot. For industrial vehicles.

I only have eyes for the massive crane in the center. Let’s hope it still works.

Scrambling up into the cab, I fumble around, discovering the keys in the cup holder.

The ancient thing roars to life after two tries.

“What is it Miley said?” I grit out through my teeth, cranking the levers, “I came in likewrecking ball!”