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“Got it,” Beau said as Xavier immediately knelt in front of the generator.

“One more thing,” I said. “Stay out here when you’re done. Put your guns down and hands up once you get the lights on. No sudden movements and cooperate fully. The counterassault team won’t know you’re the good guys, so don’t give them any reason to shoot you.

“That’s super encouraging,” Xavier said. “Not.”

I climbed into the house through shattered dining room window. I hoped Hands, Tito, and Agent Glass had been able to deal with the attacker upstairs, but just in case, I said a fervent prayer and announced my presence in a loud voice.

I’m coming,cara. Stay safe.

SEVENTEEN

Lexi

Icouldn’t breathe.

I didn’t feel pain, just a huge, suffocating weight on my back. Maybe that was what happened when you were shot and dying. You were already past the pain when you took your last breath. The only odd thing was that my hearing seemed especially heightened. It sounded like someone was breathing hard in one ear, while at the same time, the sound of a helicopter was blasting in the other. I couldn’t feel my fingers and I couldn’t move my legs, arms, or head. I had no idea if I was still holding the gun, if I’d hit the gunman, or what was happening. I didn’t know how long had passed since I’d been incapacitated.

Time seemed frozen.

On the other hand, I didn’t hear horrific screaming or any more shots being fired. I just hoped that meant Basia and Elvis were okay, and I’d saved them.

My thoughts drifted to Slash. I hoped with every fiber of my being he was alive. If I was still alive, I wasn’t sure I could live life without him.

“If you’re not already dead, I’m going to kill you myself,” a male voice said roughly. Suddenly the weight on me was lifted, and I was unceremoniously hauled to my feet.

I blinked twice in shock as a face came into view. “Hands?” A jagged cut on his forehead was dripping blood down his cheek. His once perfectly pressed suit was ripped in several places, his tie was missing, and his face looked like it had been smeared with soot.

He held an automatic weapon in one hand, still pointed toward the attacker who was sprawled on the floor. His other hand remained in a fist on the back of my dress, which he’d used to pick me up.

His expression was furious.

“You’re alive,” he said. I wasn’t sure if I heard relief or suppressed rage in his voice. “What thehellare you doing out here in the hallway?”

His tone made me wince. “Helping Agent Glass?”

“You’re supposed to hiding behind a locked door,” he growled, his expression darkening further. “Are you hurt?”

I patted myself, realizing with equal amount of surprise and relief that I hadn’t been hit. “No, this isn’t my blood. It must be Agent Glass’s. She’s been shot.”

“I know. I heard her moaning. You’re damn lucky you’re not dead, Keys. Is the first lady safe?”

“I don’t know where she is. I haven’t seen her since dinner.”

“Okay, stay here and don’t move.”

He strode down the hall. He bent over the attacker, kicked his rifle down the hall, and rolled him over.

“Is he…dead?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Did…did I do it?”

“You, me, it doesn’t matter. He’s dead, and that’s a win for the home team as far as I’m concerned.” He walked over to me, the scowl on his face exaggerated by the shadows of the flashlight, remaining as dark as I’d ever seen. “Why didn’t you stay hidden with the others?”

“I told you, I was helping Agent Glass. Besides, I’m an honorary SEAL, aren’t I? Hiding didn’t seem right.”

He growled again but didn’t disagree.