Giventhe urgency of the situation, Grant couldn’t believe the exchange happening in front of him.
“You take it,” Davis said, holding his palms up in a classic “not me” move that would earn him a cuff to the head in a second.
“No, you take it.” Dangling the gun by the butt with two fingers, Gray thrust it at Davis like it might go off on its own. “I don’t know how to use it.”
“Four occupants of the vehicle confirmed,” Tak said, “Ryerson and Francisco up front, Bodak and Adam in the rear.”
“How far?” Grant said, adrenaline spiking.
“Eleven hundred yards and closing fast.”
“Will you two shut up. Davis, take the gun.” Grant plucked the loaded weapon from Gray’s loose grip and slapped it into the kid’s palm. “You know how to work the safety?” Davis nodded tentatively. Grant wasn’t reassured, but he couldn’t leave the two of them alone without a weapon.
Grabbing Gray by the elbow, Grant moved her in behind the shelving located off to the side of the warehouse. He pushed Davis in beside her. The cover good back here, they were reasonably hidden, provided nobody came down the aisle. “You two stay here, no matter what. Got it?”
Davis snapped out a squeaky, “Yes, sir,” and Gray nodded.
“Anyone but me comes down that aisle you shoot the bastard, Davis. Understand?”
The kid’s throat made a visible production of trying to swallow his fear. He nodded and held his breath, his eyes wide and flitting back and forth like he watched an Olympic Ping-Pong match on fast-forward.
“Davis.” Grant had to grab the kid’s face to get him to focus. “Davis, look at me. That’s right. Look at me. Take a deep breath.” Following orders, he dragged a shitload of oxygen into his lungs and let it out slowly.
“Better?” The kid nodded. “Listen, it’s gonna be fine. Okay?” Davis nodded again, and Grant turned his attention to Gray. She looked pale but still ready to deal. Grant stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “Okay?” he said, searching the depths of her eyes.
“Okay.” Clear and bright, her gaze held his.
Christ, she was tough. And thank God she didn’t know her brother was the one in the most danger at the moment. No way she’d hide if she knew the truth.
“Stay here.” Not the least bit happy about leaving them, but opting for the smart move, he turned on his heel and jogged up the aisle. The lightweight MP7 felt comfortable in his hand, and Grant appreciated its company.
Before disappearing around the corner, he did a quick shoulder check to make sure they were adequately concealed, then he left them to the protection of the shadows.
He needed to get his ass in position.
“Heads up, I got company,” Tak said.
Grant’s stomach hit the floor as he crouched between the crates he chose for cover. “What the fuck? Who?” From his position, he could see the main corridor at the front of the warehouse and the loading docks to the rear. Anyone trying to cross the expanse between would be in his line of fire.
“Don’t know, but whoever it is, he’s clearing the floor room by room.”
“You gotta move,” Grant said.
“Nah, I’m good. I got this. Who do I shoot first?”
“Francisco,” Grant pictured how things would play out in his mind. “He’s the fastest draw, and he’ll try to cut Adam down. Ryerson will move to cover his own ass, and Bodak will use Adam as a shield.”
“Roger that,” Tak said.
Grant had a bad feeling about this. “Don’t try to take two shots. Put Francisco down. Then cover your ass and get the hell out.”
“I’ll take care of the outside, Kincaid. You cover our girl on the inside, and we’re square.”
Grant heard the first shot as if he stood right beside the sniper. When he heard the second, he knew Tak had sealed his fate. It meant he was looking through his scope when he should have been looking over his shoulder. After a heartbeat of quiet, Tak said, “Tell Chase to look to the west.” Moments later, the sound of a gun discharging and bodies in a struggle had Grant yelling Tak’s name.
CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR
Adam didn’t appreciate being hauledto the warehouse’s main entrance by the hand fisted into the collar of his shirt. As soon as the first shot found its mark, Bodak had hidden his sorry ass behind Adam and used him as a shield.
