Page 100 of West Bound

“This was mission fucking impossible from the beginning.” Rowan starts moving toward the window of the basement that we plan to use as egress. “So let’s fucking go. Now.”

“You two go. I’m going after her.” I shake my head and move for the stairs so Bishop can fall back. I toss him my bag as we pass each other.

There’s no way. Absolutely no way I can leave her here alone. I wouldn’t want to live with myself if I did. I couldn’t. Even if I thought he wouldn’t hurt her, the leaving alone would break her into a thousand tiny pieces. I can't do that to her. I won't.

“Are you sure?” Bishop’s eyes search mine, telling me without saying a word that I’ve absolutely lost my shit to think this is a good idea.

“I’m sure. Just get the horses ready for us. Hopefully, we’ll meet you in time; if not, we’ll catch up.”

Rowan turns back to look at me one last time, frustration in his tone and worry etched on his face. The man has a heart after all.

“You should leave with us. She knows where to find us. She knows the grounds better than anyone.” Rowan tries one last time to convince me.

“You know you wouldn’t leave Charlotte. I can’t leave Zeph. Now go.” I urge them on, and I head up the stairs.

“Wait!” Bishop calls after me, and I look back as he tosses me an extra clip of ammunition. “You’ll need it up there.”

I nod my thanks, and an unspoken goodbye passes between us. I know as well as he does that my odds are absolutely fucking abysmal. We were going to be lucky to get out at all, and this will seal my fate. But at least she'll know someone came back for her. She’ll know that for once in her life, someone put her first—loved her enough not to leave her behind. I need her to know I’m that person for her. Always.

Besides, nothing’s impossible if you want it badly enough.

I jog up the stairs, reminding myself of that fact over and over until I get to the main hallway. It’s hard to see in the dark, even with the night-vision Bishop supplied us with. It’s pitch fucking black, but down the hall I see a flicker of light. There’s a kerosene lamp on in the far room. It has to be her.

I race toward it, as quickly and as quietly as I can. Hoping and praying that nothing’s happened to her in all this chaos. I'll say a million fucking rosaries a day, join a monastery, whatever I have to do, just as long as it means I can get her out of here unscathed.

I lean against the wall, taking a deep breath before I breach the door and see the last thing I’m expecting—the governor with a gun to Zephyrine’s head.

FORTY-THREE

Ten minutes earlier…

Zephyrine

When the lights go out,I know it’s my time to run. The guys had a plan to kill the local power grid. It would give us darkness to escape in, and it would make it easier for them to hack the vault. The clock’s ticking now for all of us to get out of here, and I have to make it to the basement.

I jump up and head for the door, pausing when I hear the sounds of my father’s security team in the hallway. They’re yelling to each other about the breakers and making sure to secure the doors. My hand hovers on the doorknob, and I feel my heart pounding in my chest as they walk by.

I close my eyes and count backward from ten. I can do this. All I have to do is make it to the basement. Out the door, around the corner, and quickly down the back steps. It’ll be over before I know it.

Gunfire rings out. It’s distant but distinct. Coming from the floors below me. I don’t have time to wait and see. I don’t want to have his army between me and my only way out of here. I have to hurry. I yank the door open, and my face pales when I look up to see my father staring back at me.

“Where are you going?” He’s livid already.

“I was coming to see what all the noise was. The lights went out.”

“Security is on it. You should stay in here. Wait until they tell you it’s clear.”

“I don’t want to be alone in here,” I argue. It’s the best I can come up with, but it’s the wrong thing to stay.

“Then I’ll stay with you.” He shoves his way inside my door, and I take several steps back.

“No, I?—”

His brow raises.

“No, you what?” He echoes my words back to me.

“I don’t need you. I’m sure you have more important things to do. Won’t security be looking for you?”