Page 25

CHAPTER 25

S ephie’s garment bag hit the floor as Taschen lunged for Landry’s weapon. In one swift move, he yanked the gun from its holster and fired two shots. The first landed with a whack in one of the guard’s foreheads. The second got the other guard in the throat.

Landry tackled Taschen, slamming his shoulder against the wall. Taschen bashed his own skull against Landry’s head. The asshole’s eyes rolled back, and he went limp. Pain burned across Taschen’s forehead, but he didn’t miss a beat.

Raymond ran. “Help!”

Taschen aimed and fired.

Crack!

The bullet hit Raymond in the arm. The man’s sharp, pathetic cries gave him a blip of satisfaction. A third guard, probably hearing the commotion, barreled around the corner and fired. Taschen threw his weight to the side, blocking Sephie and dodging the bullet .

He charged forward, pulled back his weapon, and slammed the butt of his gun against the third guard’s skull. Raymond’s cries grew louder, but the fucker was out of sight.

More than anything he wanted to chase the bastard, but he needed to get Sephie out. Catching her arm, he towed her down the hall.

Sephie skidded, pulling him back. “Stop! We need keys for the door.”

He cursed and eased her back against the wall. “Wait here.” He moved to one of the guards, grabbed the ring of keys from his belt loop, and raced back to Sephie.

Not wasting a second, she bolted for the stairs. He was right behind her. The beeping of radios sounded. More guards shouted to each other. Sephie’s raspy breaths urged him on. As they got close to the top, his earbud crackled.

“I have Sephie and we’re heading for the rear of the house.”

“Got you covered, bro.” Toth’s relaxed tone suggested he could have been on a beach rather than in position with a rifle somewhere on the property.

At the top of the stairs, Taschen jammed one of the keys in the deadbolt and turned it. Thank god it was the right one. The door opened, and he caught Sephie’s waist before she could charge through. Tucking her behind him, he scanned the eerily quiet house .

A light tapping sound snapped his gaze to the garden doors. Rami, in full gear, a gun hanging across his chest and an AR-15 in hand. He waved comically. Taschen could’ve laughed at the ridiculousness. He hustled Sephie toward the door and accepted his gun from Rami.

“They got out!” someone shouted from downstairs.

Sephie slammed the basement door shut and turned the lock. She gave him a shaky smile. “We should go now.”

“We’ve got heat.” Toth’s voice boomed against Taschen’s eardrum. Gone was the lazy drawl.

Taschen unlocked the garden doors and motioned Sephie outside before yanking off the stupid cloak and tossing it to the ground. The damn thing would only impede his movement. The guards downstairs reached the basement door and started ramming.

It wouldn’t hold for long.

He tucked the guard’s Glock into his waistband then locked his hand around the AR-15. A sense of peace finally washed over him. With Sephie sandwiched between Rami and him, he ushered her forward in his friend’s footsteps.

Crash!

The basement door burst open, and a guard came barreling out with Raymond on his heels. Rami shielded Sephie and Taschen aimed.

He fired two shots. Both smacked into the guard. Raymond ducked down the hallway toward the kitchen. Taschen fired but missed. “Fuck.”

“Move,” Toth warned. “You’ve got men coming from all sides. Head to the wall at the east side of the property. Brick just retrieved the vehicle and will meet you there.”

He wrapped his arm around Sephie’s shoulders, and, with her tucked into his side, they moved in the direction Toth indicated.

The clap of two bullets pierced the night air.

Sephie staggered. “What was that?”

“Just Toth giving us a clean path,” he said calmly. He moved close behind Rami so Sephie had more cover. They stayed near the line of trees and passed two unmoving guards on the ground.

“Ohmigod,” she groaned, as she stepped over one of the man’s legs.

“It’s all right, honey. Keep moving. Our vehicle’s not far.” He moved his hand to the base of her back and inched her in front of him so they ran single file.

The wall loomed ahead. Holy fuck. They were going to make it. Rami must have sensed his urgency because he picked up the pace, his boots stomping the flowers that bordered the trees. Sephie had to damn near jog to stay close to Rami.

Trepidation beat a steady drum against the insides of his ears. So damn close. Once they got over the wall and behind the bulletproof SUV, they’d be free and clear .

He didn’t bother to scope out where Toth and August were, but knowing they were watching, helping to protect them, made some of the tension in his shoulders ease.

Shouts erupted behind them.

Fuck.

He threw a glance over his shoulder to spot two guards running across the lawn. “You seein’ this, man?” he said, to whoever the hell was listening.

One guard dropped behind a stone fountain with another figure next to him. Raymond . That cocksucker shouldn’t even be alive. He should’ve gone after him when he had the chance.

“Shit,” August huffed in his ear. “They’re covered. I can’t get a clear shot.”

“Me either,” Toth echoed.

Rami halted next to the wall and dropped to his knee behind a bush. He swept his arm behind his back, motioning Sephie between the wall and him. Taschen came up behind her, shielding her from every angle. Once they attempted to climb, they’d be open fucking targets.

Sephie’s hand curled around his bicep, and she rested her cheek on his arm.

Fear gripped him. “You okay, babe?”

She nodded quickly. “Yeah. Just scared. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

He brushed his lips over her forehead, wishing he could take more time to reassure her. “ Everything’s going to be fine. Just let us figure this out.”

Rami’s hard, determined stare met Taschen’s. “You go first. I’ve got your six. I’ll pass Sephie up to you once you’re on the other side.”

No. Hell no.

As much as he wanted to catch her when she came over the ten-foot wall, he couldn’t leave her even for a second. “Brick,” he barked into his mic. “Where you at?”

“At the wall with the SUV.”

“We’re near the northeast corner. Tell me when you’re there and we’ll send Sephie over.”

“Copy that.”

“They’re gonna shoot as soon as we climb,” Rami said.

“No shit.” He pinned Rami with his gaze. “You’re gonna get Sephie over after I take them out.”

Sephie’s fingernails bit into the underside of his arm. “What? No. You’ll have to get too close.” She shook her head frantically. “I don’t like that idea.”

He caught her hand and squeezed. “It’s the only way. We’ll be out in a few minutes if you do what we say. Got it?”

Her lip trembled. Christ, he hated that she was in this position. Hated that he hadn’t stopped the bomb. That she’d endured so much he didn’t even know about. But he had to maintain his strength so she could get through this .

“You’re doing this so you can kill Raymond.” Her tone came off more worried than accusatory. As much as it gutted him that she was concerned, he wouldn’t miss another opportunity to serve justice. If the bastard was stupid enough to try to get near her all bets were off.

“I’m doing this to get you safe.”

“I’m here!” Brick hollered, his heavy breathing sharp and ragged.

Taschen winced.

“You nearly blew my eardrum,” Rami blurted. “Do some cardio, shithead. You sound like you’re dying.”

Taschen smacked Rami’s shoulder. “Ready?”

“Yup.”

Sephie’s hand grew cold in his. He brought her fingers to his lips and met her eyes. “Almost home, baby.”

Her shuddering breath cut him. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek then his lips. “Be careful.”

“Time to fucking go,” Toth shouted.

Rami caught Sephie’s arm. “Once Taschen gives the go-ahead, I’m going to lift you. Grab the ledge and pull yourself up. I’ll boost you the rest of the way. Stay low and drop down. Brick will catch you.”

Taschen swallowed as he watched them get into position while staying crouched. Once he stood, Raymond’s guard would shoot. Hell, both of them could open fire.

That shit didn’t matter. He wore a bulletproof vest and had taken hits before. A shot to the head would end him, but not getting Sephie out would be worse. He wouldn’t let them capture her again. Over his dead body.

He steadied the rifle in his hands and locked his gaze on the target. He could just make out movement behind the fountain. The guard and Raymond were about fifty meters away. He did a quick mental countdown then catapulted from his position.

He charged toward the fountain. Gunshots exploded. Taschen ducked and ran. He aimed for the fountain and clapped off several rounds.

A sharp grunt sounded.

Yes.

He’d gotten the shooter.

His shoes clomped against the earth. The urge to look back, to make sure Sephie hadn’t been hit, was almost too great. But he couldn’t do anything that would take their focus from him to her.

Another blast sounded, this time from a handgun.

He fired again. Bits and pieces of the stone fountain shattered. Raymond let out a cry. Taschen’s pulse roared in his veins, but this time not out of fear, or even adrenaline. It roared with fucking satisfaction.

He slowed as he reached the blown-out stone. Water swamped the ground. His boots squelched in the grass.

A guard lay sprawled on the grass, his eyes vacant. Raymond shook like a leaf.

One of the bullets must’ve hit his hand because his gun was on the ground. Taschen kicked it away then brought the end of his rifle to Raymond’s thigh.

“N-No! Please.”

He pulled the trigger.

Crack!

Raymond howled and pressed his hands down on the wound that was gushing blood. Crimson seeped between his fingers.

“That was for Pippa.” He brought the gun to his shoulder.

“S-Stop!”

Crack!

This blast sent Raymond backward. He landed against the dead guard, his body convulsing.

Taschen stood over him. “That one was for Clay and Yvette.” He shook with barely spent rage. He could spend all night tearing bullets through this sonofabitch. He’d enjoy every desperate cry, every plea that came from his pathetic mouth.

But Sephie was more important. His ending Raymond’s life would have to be enough closure for both of them.

Shouts sounded from the house. Taschen snapped his gaze up. Masked men exited the garden doors. His blood ran cold.

Raymond laughed. The sound was weak. “I’ve g-got a gun safe inside. Th-There’s more of ’em than you.”

Pleasure lit his veins. “Good. You saved me a trip.” He brought the gun to Raymond’s head.

The man’s eyes went wide, but before his lips could open, Taschen fired. Raymond’s head snapped back and his brains splattered the grass.

“Jesus, fuck,” August whispered in his ear. “It’s like a goddamn horror movie come to life. There’s too many, Taschen. Retreat. We’ve got your back.”

Hot, stale air entered his nose. He stood his ground. Lifting his rifle, he fired at the dozen cloaked men stalking across the grass. Some dropped, some cowered.

“Dude, fall back!” Rami ordered.

Bullets flew past him. One landed in his vest with a whack . His muscles jolted, and pain beat across his sternum. He lowered to one knee so the base of the fountain shielded him from the amateur shooters.

“Get Sephie the hell out of here,” Taschen bellowed.

A rush of movement to his right made him tense. Then instinct kicked in. His body recognized the energy of the soldiers at his side. August and Toth returned fire with him .

August grunted.

“You hit?” Taschen called.

“All good,” August yelled.

Taschen fired at the scumbags still standing. Only five left. His next bullet entered a skull. He got another asshole in the chest.

Toth and August took out the other three.

He lowered his weapon and whirled around. Sephie was against the wall, her hands gripping the edge and Rami boosting her by her feet. Tension gripped him.

Eerie silence filled the yard. The tinny scents of death and gunpowder permeated the air. Taschen’s adrenaline rush began to dissipate.

“Thank fuck,” Rami wheezed. “I thought you were going to get the rest of your head blown off,” he quipped.

Toth grimaced. “Really, dude?”

Taschen would have rolled his eyes if he’d cared enough.

They’d done it. He broke into a jog, crossing the grass. Sephie swung her leg to the top of the wall. Just seeing her up that high made anxiety ripple through him.

But she was safe. They’d taken out all the guards and all the sickos with enough gall to pick up a weapon and—

Crack!

Taschen’s muscles locked. Sephie screamed, and he watched her roll over the side of the wall, disappearing from view.

No!

The scream reverberated inside his head. He wasn’t sure if he’d yelled aloud. But Christ, he ran. His feet pounded the earth and his arms pumped as he secured the strap of the gun around his neck.

“Shooter in the east window!” August shouted.

“Got it!” Toth said.

The claps of gunshots followed.

But it was too late. She’d been hit. Fallen. He skidded to a halt at the wall.

Rami bent and braced his hands together. “Get over!”

Taschen dropped his boot into Rami’s palms and his friend heaved him up. He caught the lip of the wall, threw his knee over, and dropped to the other side.

Brick sat on the ground, Sephie’s motionless body in his arms. Taschen was vaguely aware of August and Rami landing next to them, one of them clicking on a flashlight.

Her eyes were closed, her face washed of color. Blood ran from her temple. He dropped to his knees like a stone. Fear constricted his chest.

Dear god no.

He circled his arm beneath her shoulders, pulling her onto his lap. “Sephie. Baby, please wake up.” Emotion lodged in his throat. She didn’t respond.

“I think she hit her head on the wall when she fell,” Brick said.

The wound on her head wasn’t deep, from what he could tell. She couldn’t have gotten shot there. The image of Raymond’s brains blowing out shook him—the same could have easily happened to her.

“Her side,” Rami said grimly.

“Where?” He ran his hand over her body. Warm, sticky liquid touched his palm. He spotted the wound on her bare abdomen. “Get me something, dammit.”

“Already on it.” August bent down and wrapped his T-shirt around her waist, creating a torniquet.

Her skin seemed to be turning gray. Panic flooded his system. “We need an ambulance.” He wasn’t sure if he screamed or whispered the words.

The screech of sirens pierced the night.

“Dude,” Toth said. “We’ve got almost two dozen dead bodies on this property. We need to get the hell out of here.”

Numbness crept over him, but he stood. As long as she was in his arms, he wouldn’t let her slip away. Taschen got in the back of the SUV with Sephie on his lap. Rami drove, Toth rode shotgun, and August sat next to Taschen, staunching the blood running from Sephie’s temple.

In one of the bucket seats, Brick held the flashlight while August worked.

Taschen kept his fingers against her neck, counting her pulse, as August had instructed. He had basic medical knowledge, but he couldn’t fucking think. His brain was so fried by fear that he’d need instructions in order to take a piss.

He swept his thumb over her jaw. She hadn’t regained consciousness, nor had the color returned to her cheeks.

Rami drove like a bat out of hell. They’d better make it to the hospital in time, or he’d lose his fucking mind.