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She was too far away. If she moved now, he’d shoot.

Leo exploded forward.

Time slowed, sound dropping into a distant hum.

There was only the gun.

Crack!

Muzzle flash painted the hallway white, and both men hit the floor.

47

Kat’s bodywent cold all at once.

Leonid.

For a breath, the world stopped.

No.

A pained helpless sound tore from her throat.

Then his hand slapped the floor.

Alive.

Her knees buckled.He’s alive.

She dove forward as Leo grappled with the guard, landing a savage fist on his temple. The guard collapsed and Leo shoved him aside, staggering upright.

The ceramic plate on his vest was spider-webbed. The impact had hit dead-center—too high for his heart, but low enough to hit like a sledgehammer. He swayed, clutching his ribs.

Kat punched the fractured plate. “Never. Again.”

“Jesus… Kat.” He laughed, then coughed and folded over.

With a gasp, he straightened and pulled her into a crushing hug.

“I…” She choked on it. “I thought you were dead.” Tears burned her eyes as she held him tight, breathing in the sharp tang of gunpowder embedded in his collar.

Leo’s arms crushed her. “Still here.” He coughed and wheezed. “Shit, that hurts.” He kissed the top of her head. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Help me.” She broke free and grabbed the unconscious guard’s arm. Together they half-dragged, half-carried him the last hundred yards.

A minute later, they burst through the primary doors into the cool night air, each stride a silent countdown.

What kind of blast rad?—

Whomp!

A concussive wall of heat blasted them airborne. Kat hit the dirt hard, her lungs flattening like paper. Secondary bursts stitched the night and debris rained down. Concrete, wood, laced with the acrid scent of melted plastic.

Weight crushed her.

Leonid.

Shielding her with his body. She curled into him, every nerve on fire, ears ringing like sirens. Slowly, the thunder faded.