Page 100 of My Solemn Vow

Attached is a photo of three bags of rolls from the local grocery store and the butter my mother likes on our kitchen counter.

Valor:

That’s perfect. Excited to be home. Buyeris late.

I hit send the same second there’s an explosion. It startles me, and I snap into focus. Even with the echo of the warehouse, I know it came from out front.

Neil is quick to shout and wave his arm, beckoning us to follow him. “This way, we’ll go out the back before they can get there.”

No. Danger. Go out the front, they’ll have moved away from the explosion themselves. It’ll be an ambush.My wolf and I agree that Neil is headed the wrong way.

“No!” I shout, letting the alpha command rip through me. “It’ll be a trap out the back. They won’t expect us to walk into an explosion.”

“That’s ridiculous! We can’t take the ammunition and C-4 past the flames. They’ll explode.” Neil has a point regarding the explosives, but precious seconds are ticking by.

My gut disagrees with his orders. The men are clearly conflicted, looking between me and Neil.

“Leave it. It’s five grand, not worth worrying about.” I turn and leave them to their devices.

It’s not up to me if they come or go, but I’m trusting my wolf.

Pulling my gun, I head toward the front where we came in. I don’t know what they blew up. It sounded like one explosion, not multiple, so chances are there’s a vehicle in good enough shape to limp out of here until I can get somewhere on foot. I test the doorknob for heat.

It’s cold.

Footsteps come from behind me, and I look over my shoulder to see three men have followed me with their guns drawn. Two of them were recently shipped in from Ireland, and one is younger in the business, leaving Neil and two others to go out the back.

I count down on my fingers.

Three.

Two.

One.

Guns raised, we sweep, heading out of the building.

Danger.My wolf draws my attention to a single enemy standing by a vehicle.

He raises his gun, but one of the fresh-from-Irelands shoots the gun out of his hand rather than to kill.

“Fresh body for the basement.” I huff a laugh as we jog past what was one of our throwaway SUVs, burning from the explosion.

Our heads are on a swivel, watching for threats.

One Irishman grabs the injured man’s gun and then drags him, kicking, swinging, and groaning in pain, to our other SUV that looks drivable.

The young gun and the one with the prisoner watch our backs as the other Irishman and I sweep the vehicle for explosives. The tires aren’t even sliced, and we don’t find any detonation or tracking devices of any nature.What sort of amateur hour is this?

Gunfire is coming from the back of the warehouse, but they knew the risk. We’re not a no-man-left-behind agency. Neil will have to handle his fuckin’ self.

I get in the driver’s seat, and the rest of the men climb into the SUV with the captive before I throw it in gear. Out in less than two minutes.

Home to our mate and pup.My wolf is on edge, forcing me to watch for tails and other potential threats.

“Quit your bitchin’ and moanin’, would ya?” the Irishman in the back snaps at our wounded capture.

I catch a glimpse in the mirror of what’s happening.