Page 120 of Gunslinger Girl

“You’re welcome!” spat Pity. “What did he tell you?”

“Nothing. He arrived a few minutes ago, pulled a gun on me, and told me not to move. I listened.” A perturbed expression tempered Adora’s manner. “But Daneko—”

“What about him?”

“Daneko supposedly said he needed to see Selene right away—something important about Patrick Sheridan’s departure, but he’d only tell her.” Adora eyed one of the doors, a tinge of apprehension creeping into her voice. “They were bringing him up from his cell.”

“Does that open into Selene’s office?”

“Yes.”

“We need to get to her first. Casimir is about to be attacked. Get up!” Pity ordered Halcyon, who obeyed reluctantly. “Siena, Beau or not, Santino might be in there already…”

“And we’re not going in like fools.” The bounty hunter smirked. “You don’t need to tell me how to take a room, Jones.”

They went to the door. Adora paused in front of it, her hand on the knob.

Pity readied herself. “Halcyon, you next. Don’t you make a peep, either, boss.”

“I harly thing I neeh to.” He pressed an orange handkerchief, now mostly crimson, to his broken nose.

“Shut up. Siena and I will follow you. Max, stay in back.”

Behind her, she heard him take an apprehensive breath and let it out. He put a hand on her back—a simple touch, familiar and reassuring. The memory of him, his arms around her, the feeling of his lips on hers… Her muscles threatened to give out. Pity gritted her teeth and stood straighter.

Now was not the time to lose her steel.

Adora opened the door and went through. Halcyon followed, and then she and Siena, smooth as dance partners, their guns raised.

Pity had only heartbeats to take in the scene. Selene sat at her desk, Beau and Santino to one side of her. Daneko was on his knees in front of the desk, hands chained behind his back, with a trio of Tin Men for guards.

And behind Daneko, with Hook, was Sheridan. His hands were tucked in his pockets, a disarming grin frozen on his face.

Whatever was being said faded like the last notes of a song.

Beau.

Pity turned to him and their gazes locked. His eyes bore into hers. Her muscles tensed. Fast as lightning, he pulled his gun—

—and aimed it at Sheridan. “Nobody m—”

There was a hollow crack as Santino brought his shock stick down on Beau’s head. He collapsed, gun flying from his fingers and across the dark marble. Pity sucked in a fearful breath as Adora bolted to Selene’s side. In unison, Hook and the Tin Men pointed their weapons at Pity and Siena.

“Hold your fire! No one fires a shot without my say-so.” Sheridan’s command carried easy, presumptuous authority. For the first time Pity clearly saw the man who had fooled them emerge. “Everyone just… relax. You two as well,” he said to Pity and Siena.

“Yes,” said Selene. “Everyone contain themselves and tell me right now what is—”

“Shut up, Selene,” said Sheridan.

No one moved, save for Beau. Facedown and dazed, he tried to push himself up. Sheridan pointed and Santino raised his stick again, bringing it down in a wide arc. It connected with Beau’s calf. Even from across the room, Pity could hear the wet snap. Beau screamed.

“Santino!” Selene yelled. “Stop! Stop right now!”

Santino ignored her, his attention on Beau, who was still trying to rise. “Stay down, jefe.”

His club fell once more, breaking Beau’s other leg. This time he didn’t scream, only let out a strangled bark, and fell to the floor, still. Santino grabbed Beau’s wrist, pulled off the alarm band, and threw it away.

“You…” Selene’s voice was pure acid. She started for Santino, but Adora stopped her.