by Marlow Kelly
The fact that guards hadn’t rushed in after she’d shot her assailants suggested they were either on another floor, were making their way to this location, or gunshots were heard regularly so the sound was nothing new.
She turned the handle and stepped out into the hallway with the Glock ready.
The lighting was dim, but she could make out the peeling paint and the torn carpet. Like all hotels, rooms lined both sides of the corridor. At the end of the hall on her right was the elevator. The stairwell lay in the opposite direction.
She turned left.
A door swung open. There was nowhere for her to hide. She raised her sidearm. A man stepped out, the same man who’d warned them when they were at the PDE building.
“You.” She had no idea what his role was or whether he was one of the good guys or not.
He held up his hands in a show of surrender. “I’m not here to hurt you. You have to hurry. I heard the shots. They will, too.” Then he spoke to someone inside the room. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
Safe? There was no way she would consider this situation safe.
Nadie and Ava rushed past him. Both greeted her with a hug.
She reciprocated with her free arm but kept her gaze, and weapon, fixed on the man known as Ethan.
“We knew you’d come,” Nadie said, still hugging her.
Using all her strength, Sinclair pushed the women away. “No, I’m not here to save you. I mean, I will if I can but…”
“I don’t understand,” Ava sobbed.
“I was captured, too.”
Ethan rolled his eyes in a save-me-from-these-idiots motion.
“I was drugged by my partner,” she snapped, her temper flaring. “Now, be useful and tell me the best way out of here.”
“There is no way.” He shook his head. “If there was, I would’ve let them go. The ground floor is crawling with guards. You’ll never get past them.”
“Do you think they’re on their way?”
Ethan turned on his heel and headed for the stairs. “Of course, they are.” He pushed open the door with one hand, stopped, and pointed up. “Go to the roof and attract someone’s attention. That’s the only chance you have.”
Then he headed down the steps, allowing the door to slam shut after him.
The elevator pinged, telling her someone was coming.
“Go!” Sinclair followed Ethan’s suggestion and shoved Nadie and Ava toward the exit.
A shot rang out, and drywall splintered above her head.
She reached the door to the stairwell, turned and fired, hoping to slow the guards’ progress. Then she followed the women to the rooftop.
It was empty except for a rectangular, metal, heavy-duty air conditioning unit. There were no heavy blocks or sticks or anything she could use to jam the door.
Ava and Nadie stood at the edge, screaming and waving for help.
She dived behind the unit. It wasn’t sturdy and wouldn’t make a great shield, but it was all she had. She aimed her weapon at the door. The minute someone tried to open it, she would fire.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Finn strolled to the front desk of the Sun Down Hotel with Kennedy by his side. Both of them were wearing their bullet proof vests and their raid jackets. SWAT were assembled outside along with Detective Ramirez and Captain Tate, all ready to help if needed.
The lobby wasn’t big, but it was stylishly decorated. The reception desk was made of dark, varnished wood topped with a pale granite counter, and the floors were polished stone. It screamed wealth and opulence, which was at odds with the dilapidated exterior.
The space opened into two hallways, the one on the right leading to the elevator. The left corridor seemed to lead to more rooms. The manager’s office was behind reception on Finn’s right. It had a frosted glass door, and he could see a figure moving around inside.
This wasn’t the smartest idea he’d ever had, but he couldn’t think of any other way to get the guards’ attention away from Michael. Finn had received a call from him a minute ago. It had been hard to make out what he was saying above the sound of the rotors, but they managed.
Before he could even open his mouth, the woman behind the desk said, “You need a warrant.” He guessed she was in her forties but looked closer to sixty. Probably because her make-up was so thick it appeared as though she’d applied it with a trowel.
Finn tilted his head to one side, a response most people found non-threatening. “I need a warrant to enter the lobby of a hotel?”
“Yes.” Her hands stayed in sight, but they didn’t move when she talked. She also leaned back, putting some distance between them. Both were signs she didn’t like their presence.
Kennedy walked to the corridor on the right and then the left, checking the place out.
“Are you telling me that only private customers come to this hotel?”
“Yes.” She smiled, the corners of her mouth turning up, but there was no emotion in her eyes.
The manager’s office door opened. A well-dressed man in a black suit stood at the door. He was handsome with short dark hair and had a debonair quality about him. Finn guessed him to be about forty. He wore a jacket, and a bulge under his armpit told Finn he was armed.
The manager made eye contact with the receptionist but said nothing.
Finn needed to establish if this was a legitimate business. He didn’t want an innocent family to get caught in the middle if things went south. “I have family coming into town, and I thought I might be able to afford to put them up here. Do you have room rates?”
The boom of repeated gunfire rang out.
Kennedy looked up. “It sounds like it’s coming from above us.”
Finn drew his Glock 27 and pointed it at the guy from the office.
Slamming doors echoed from the hall to the left, followed by the rumble of people running.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Kennedy draw her weapon and cover his back.
The receptionist escaped into the office.
The manager reached for his handgun.
His intuition kicked in. Finn shot him twice in his chest. The people running toward them had to be private security. They were about to be outnumbered.
“Take cover,” Finn yelled at Kennedy.
He dived over the reception desk and was gratified when Kennedy landed on the hard-stone tiles next to him.
He readied his weapon, but the barrage of bullets forced him to stay down. They were showered with hunks of drywall, wood, and granite. He threw himself over Kennedy.
“Huh.” Pieces of debris pounded him, nicking his body. He covered his head. Then a sharp pain stabbed at his arm. A ten-inch piece of wood had impaled his left bicep.
Kennedy shoved him to the side, her Glock 22 drawn. He could tell she was shooting by the recoil of her weapon, but couldn’t hear anything above the noise.
He grabbed his police radio. “This is FBI Special Agent Callaghan. We’re under fire. Repeat, we’re under fire.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Michael’s estimation of his stepdad had just shot up a thousand-fold. It was obvious Milo was in pain by his pallor and the sheen of sweat that covered his face. He gritted his teeth against the effort it took to control the helicopter. And yet he still managed to swoop between the buildings of Granite City with a precision that spoke of his years of service in the US Airforce.
Michael pulled the rifle from the bag and wedged it between the seats. “I’ll leave this in case you need it. “We’re looking for a rectangle, about a mile east of the square.” He pointed the way, drawing on the aerial view he’d researched on his computer.
His breath lodged in his throat as the building came into sight. Ava and his mom were waving at them. Sinclair stood behind what looked like a square piece of sheet metal, firing at some unknown assailant who was behind a closed door. They seemed to be trying to get onto the roof, and she was the only thing stopping them.
He said a silent prayer of thanks
that she was with his mom and sister. Up until this point, he hadn’t been sure they were being held together. It felt as if he’d been kicked in the chest as a chaotic mix of emotions flooded him. He was relieved that everyone was alive. At the same time, he was overwhelmed with fear for them. They were obviously under attack, and this could still go sideways. He was also so damn proud of Sinclair. She was a badass who would go down fighting to protect those in her care, and in this instance, that meant his family.
“You see that?” Milo’s voice quivered, telling him his stepfather was not unaffected by the scene unfolding below them. He landed the helicopter on the roof of the building with a bounce, a reminder that he was still recovering and he wasn’t as clearheaded as he should be.
Michael took off his earmuffs and jumped out.
Ava threw her arms around him, followed by his mom. “I knew you would come.”
He untangled them, not wanting to waste time on a reunion. He loved them, but he had to get to Sinclair. “Go.”
Gunfire reverberated across the rooftop, reminding him she was still holding back the assailants.
His mom gripped his hand. The pain in her gaze made her concern tangible.
“We’ll be right behind,” he promised. There was no way he would leave without the woman he loved. He shoved his mom and sister, propelling them toward the helo. Then he raced to Sinclair’s position.
Another volley rang out from behind the door, forcing him to leap to the rear of the air conditioning unit. He landed so close to her he almost knocked her down.
“It’s time to go,” he shouted, pushing himself into a sitting position so his back was against the metal. They weren’t the words of love he wanted to say, but this wasn’t the time.
“Agreed.” She twisted to the far edge of their shelter and fired at the door. Then she sat and drew another weapon from her belt. “I only have ten bullets left.”
He held up both handguns Tim had provided. “Your ride awaits.”
She gave him a sideways glance and smiled. “One, two, three…”
They both stood together and shot at the door, laying down a barrage of gunfire. He stepped toward the helicopter and was pleased when she followed.
They continued moving, all the while firing, preventing the guards from coming through the door.
Finally, her pistol clicked but no sound came out. “Empty.”
He grabbed her hand and ran, forcing her into the rear of the helo first. In his peripheral vision, his mom, who was in the front passenger seat, raised the rifle. He’d left it for Milo and had no idea if she knew how to use it.
She shot repeatedly, providing them with cover. He buried his surprise and shock at her ability. There would be time to ask later.
Milo took off and immediately leaned the aircraft to the right, presumably to get them out of range.
Michael rolled, taking Sinclair with him. He held her in his arms. She was safe. The terror that had been curled in his gut began to dissolve.
His mom slammed her door closed. Ava, who was buckled in, did the same with the rear door. The whup-whup of the rotors quietened somewhat.
Sinclair pushed herself up onto her elbow and smiled down at him. “A helicopter. That’s a new one. What made you think of it?”
“Some gang in Montreal used a helo in a prison break. And it just so happens we have a pilot in the family.” He brushed a thumb over a fresh scratch on her cheek. The bruises on her face were now green with a yellow tinge and were still swollen. “I owe you an apology. I’m an idiot. I get too caught up in my work. I promise you I will never ignore you again.”
She grabbed his shirt, tugging him closer. “Yes, you will. It’s who you are. But at least you had my back.”
“Always.” He covered her mouth with his. A familiar feeling of warmth came over him. It wasn’t just about sex. Okay, some of it was about sex because he was still a man. But it was so much more than that. He hoped one day soon she would see they belonged together. They always had.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ethan smiled as he entered Lucy’s office without knocking. He’d managed to make it out of the Sun Down just before the police surrounded the building. He planned on leaving Granite City tonight, but not before he dealt with a few loose ends.
Lucy lay on her desk with her skirt shoved up to her waist and her blouse open, revealing her breasts. Her stocking-clad legs were wrapped around the computer geek’s backside. Tyler still wore all his clothes except his pants, which were pooled around his ankles. Sweat dripped from his brow as he pumped away, servicing his queen. Both of them seemed to be engrossed in their sex act.
Ethan’s stomach heaved at the sight of her. He didn’t find her repulsive because she liked sex and indulged at every opportunity. In his opinion, all consenting adults were welcome to do whatever they wanted, as long as it didn’t harm anyone else. But Lucy used people for her own pleasure. It was as though she saw other humans as toys for her amusement.
He positioned himself behind Tyler, who glanced his way and then refocused on gratifying Lucy. No small feat.
“Do you mind, bro?” the kid mumbled.
In other circumstances, Ethan might have backed off and let him have his grand finale, but there was something that had been bothering him, and he needed to satisfy his curiosity.
He unsheathed his blade and held it to the geek’s throat.
“What the fuck?” Tyler stopped what he was doing.
“Tell me about Papin’s virus.” Ethan could almost smell the blood pounding through the runt’s veins. His own heartbeat kicked up a notch in anticipation.
The kid’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I think he planted it when he was pretending to be Spider, and then he—”
Ethan dug the sharp tip of his knife into Tyler’s skin. “The truth.”
“I am telling the truth.”
Lucy had disengaged from Tyler and was now sitting on her desk, facing them. Her eyes narrowed into two slits. She was interested in the answer, which worked in his favor.
He jabbed the knife a little deeper and then ran his finger across the wound, allowing blood to collect on his hand. He almost groaned as the metallic smell made his nerve endings come alive. He held up his bloody fingers for Tyler to see. “Did Papin really activate it?”
Tyler tried to shake his head but couldn’t manage the movement without nudging the blade deeper. “N-n-no. I did.”
Lucy bared her teeth as her hands fisted. “Why did you do that?”
“Papin was the agent who sent me to prison for hacking into the Pentagon. Do you know what it was like for me in there? I couldn’t get to him. I didn’t have the resources, but you do. Besides, I was doing you a favor. He was going to come back and get you eventually. It was only a matter of time.” Tyler clasped his hands together, pleading with Lucy. “Please, don’t let him kill me. I did it for you.”
Ethan smiled. Tyler was such a pathetic figure. His butt was naked, his dick was limp, and he thought she was in charge. It hadn’t occurred to him that Ethan was the one who was actually in control.
“That’s all I needed to know.” He grabbed Tyler’s chin and drew his blade across, slicing his carotid artery.
Ethan licked his lips and shivered as a wave of pleasure shot through his body. He would’ve liked to toy with Tyler, but this wasn’t the time to play. He fixed his gaze on Lucy.
She jumped off her desk, shifting out of the way, as Tyler’s body slumped forward. She stood facing Ethan. Her hands trembled as she struggled with the buttons of the blouse, as if doing them up could protect her. “Did you have to kill him here? This mess will be hell for the cleaners.”
He closed the space between them and, using one hand, grabbed her by the neck. He forced her back until her spine hit the wall. Then he placed the point of the KA-BAR against her ribs.
“Please, Ethan. I have money. I can pay.” Her unblinking eyes bulged, and her lips quivered. Her hands gripped his arm as she tried to loosen his hold.
She stilled. Maybe she wanted to listen to him, or perhaps she realized the futility of her situation.
“I think I was around three or four when I was bundled into the back seat of the car. The man, who called himself Father, dyed my hair and made me change my clothes. I cried when Father told me my parents didn’t want me anymore and had given me to him.”
He tightened his grip, blocking her airway, enjoying the knowledge that he could kill her with his bare hands. “That first night is burned into my brain like a tattoo, a memory that won’t wear off.”
When she made a choking sound, he relaxed his fingers. He wasn’t ready for her to die yet.
She gasped for breath, inhaling large lungfuls of air. Once she was sufficiently recovered, she said, “I can help you find your family. I have money, resources—”
“It’s too late.” With a flick of his hand, he made a small incision in her ribcage. Not so deep that he hit bone but enough she could feel it.
She squealed and gave a slight shake of her head, which was all she could manage with him pinning her to the wall. From the vacant look in her eyes, it was obvious she didn’t understand.
“As an adult, I knew Father had lied about my parents, but children believe what grownups tell them. Now, there’s no going back. The years of rape and abuse destroyed the good man I might have been and turned me into the monster you see before you. That’s why Father was my first victim.” He nicked her again.
“I was fifteen when he told me I would be handed over to another man who preferred older boys. It’s funny… I always thought the term ‘seeing red’ was just a saying, but I actually remember a red mist as rage washed over me. It was all I could see. I grabbed a steak knife from the kitchen counter and lashed out. I stabbed him again and again. “He slashed her stomach. “Even now, after all these years, I derive immense satisfaction from the memory.”