Page 24

TWENTY-FOUR

ZEKE

I TUCK MY head as close to Savannah’s as I can, hoping to protect her from as much of the blast as I can. Debris rains down around us, peppering the churned snow.

The second it’s safe, I push up, hauling her along with me. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but getting her somewhere safe is my top priority. So I do a quick scan, looking for the best path to get the fuck out of here.

While discovering this place was a frequent stop for the unhomed had me on edge originally, it was a blessing in disguise. My own footprints get lost in the mess as I heft Savannah into my arms and start to run. She looks pretty and perfect in her dress and suede boots, but they will make it impossible for her to move as fast as I need her to.

“What’s going on?” she asks, panic edging her words.

“I don’t know, so we’re getting the fuck out of here.” I dart behind a building, putting it between us and anyone who might be out here as I continue racing to the treeline at the back of the property. Like the rest of this area, numerous footpaths are cut through the woods, helping me both cover my tracks, and find a way out.

Savannah tenses as voices carry through the trees. She peers over my shoulder, her grip on me tightening. “I don’t see anyone yet.”

“Good. Tell me if you do.”

I break through the trees into an area that might have been considered residential thirty years ago. Now it’s a strange mix of abandoned single-family homes and old commercial buildings. The closest spot where I can hide Savannah is a small Cape Cod with a sagging roof and a cracked sign hanging over the porch indicating it used to house a florist. It’s not a bad option, but it’s too easy and likely the first place anyone who might be following us would look. I continue past it, zeroing in on a larger building at the end of the dead end street.

Savanna tenses right as I reach the corner of the three story hotel. “I think I see someone.”

My lungs are burning, but I push harder, determined to get her somewhere safe. She trusts me to keep her safe. To protect her.

No one’s going to take that from me.

I don’t slow down until I reach the back of the sprawling building and find the hidden employee entrance. The heavy steel door presents a problem that might send us to one of the more easily breached exits, but given this area has an alarmingly large number of prints, I take a chance and test the handle.

I blow out a relieved sigh when it opens. Without hesitation, I duck inside, blinking as my eyes adjust to the sudden shadowy darkness. The odds are high we’re not alone in here, so I slow my breathing, being as quiet as I can.

Savannah shifts in my hold, but I don’t let her down. I take another minute to make sure there’s no one close by before slowly letting her soft body slide down mine until her feet are on the filthy floor. Even once she’s standing on her own, I keep a tight hold on her. “Stay right behind me.”

She nods silently, eyes wide, her gloved fingers curling into the heavy fabric of my coat as I tuck her against my back. Slowly, we begin moving through the building. Savannah’s movements are nearly as silent as mine as she follows my lead. I didn’t think it was possible for me to be more impressed by the woman following closer than my shadow, but she’s proving me wrong.

Our path gets brighter as we reach the lobby. The ground-level windows are boarded up, but what remains of the rapidly dwindling daylight filters in through a set of skylights situated right above the check-in desk. Trash and other debris covers the grimey tiles as I step carefully through the mess, picking the path of least resistance as I plow toward the hall of first floor rooms. If it was just me in here, I wouldn’t hesitate to go upstairs, but Savannah’s skill—or lack thereof—is forcing me to make different choices than I normally would. Escaping through a second floor window with her in tow isn’t an option.

The mess stacked on the floor continues into the hall as I move quickly in search of the best strategic location. I barely pause as we pass the indoor pool, weighing its viability before moving on. It’s not the worst option, but it’s also not the best.

Not that any of my options are good. I’m going to fucking kill Pierce the next time I see him. I don’t care that he signs my checks. It’s his fucking fault we’re in this mess.

I reach the last room at the back of the building and peer through the open door, looking for any sign someone might be inside. It’s just as trashed as the rest of the place, but it seems deserted, so I lead Savannah inside. I clear off the surface of the desk built into the wall and lift her onto it. Once she’s seated, I hold one finger to my lips so she knows we still have to be quiet.

Again, she silently nods.

I start to move away, but she grabs for me, holding tight to the front of my coat as she shakes her head, eyes wide.

I wrap both my hands over hers, leaning close. I know she’s scared, and it’s fucking tearing me up, but I have to figure out what the fuck is going on and how much danger we’re actually in. I’ve been at this long enough to know shit doesn’t just accidentally blow up, so the odds it was some kind of a coincidence are slim to none.

And it makes me wonder what in the hell is going on in Nashville and if Vincent has anything to do with it.

But those are concerns for when Savannah is locked up safe and sound.

So I cup her face, hoping I’ve given her enough reasons to trust me, then kiss her, breathing in her scent and soaking up her taste. Letting them feed me. Fuel my focus.

It’s nearly impossible to pull away from her, but I have to. Just for a few minutes. Long enough to figure out how in the fuck we’re going to get out of this if it’s as bad as I think it might be.

Keeping my voice low, I hold her gaze. “I need you to text Pierce. Tell him what’s going on.” I kiss her again because I fucking hate the thought of leaving her. Even for five minutes. “Give me five minutes. If I’m not back by then, call the cops. Tell them where you are. Don’t leave with anyone unless you see a badge, understand?”

She presses her lips together, eyes narrowing like she might argue. Instead she gives me a jerky nod.

I pull her in, kissing her yet again. “Good girl.” I can keep her safe if she trusts me, but putting your safety in someone else’s hands isn’t an easy thing to do. “I’ll be back soon.”

A slight frown tips her full lips. “You better.”

I almost laugh, because there’s nothing in this world that will keep me from her. Not now.

Not ever.

Walking out of the room is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, even though I know there’s no way around it. I can’t do what I need to with Savannah at my side. I wish she’d been comfortable learning to shoot. I’d feel a hell of a lot better if I could have left her with a gun. But unless you’re ready and willing to shoot, a weapon is worse than useless—it’s a liability.

So I leave her behind, knowing I’m her only line of defense.

God help anyone who crosses my path.