I catch his eye, and he shows relief.
“Need a hand?” I ask, already moving toward the van that has several women in it.
Fuck.
I share a quick glance with Twister.
“Yeah,” I nod, relief washing over me. “We’ve got unexpected cargo.”
I’m about to say we’re sharing the same fucking problem when gunfire erupts again, and I curse, sending my guys scattering for cover.
“Hold them off while we get everyone out!” Aero, their President, yells out.
I duck as a bullet whizzes past my head, and more shots ping off the containers. We return fire as Aero’s men move crates and gather the remaining women, moving them to safety.
Suddenly, the night goes quiet, and I turn to see Aero coming my way.
“My guy’s clearing you a path to make your exit.” I nod.
“Didn’t know what the hell we were getting into when we heard the blast. Shook the whole damn river. When we hacked into the security feed and saw it was your crew, we hauled ass.” I grip his hand firmly.
“Good thing you did. We’d have been fucked six ways to Sunday if you hadn’t.” Dropping his arm, I nod towards the women.
“Get those girls out. We’ll run interference.” I order my guys as I say goodbye to Aero.
“Appreciate it, brother. Ride safe.”
Moments later, another explosion rocks the other end of the port, sending a shockwave through the ground.
“Go! Now!” I yell out to Aero as we start shooting in the direction of the gunfire.
The vans peel out, tires screeching.
A blazing inferno erupts, giving us the few seconds we need to haul ass back to our boats and get the fuck out of there before the police and fire department fill the docks behind us.
We’re safely back on our side of the river, watching with binoculars as we take stock of what has happened. I shake my head as I pass them to Twister so he can see.
“What are the chances that the container somehow got switched with Mister Kitty back there?” I point over my shoulder at the container I have no idea what to do with.
“Zero, but I’ll call Aero tomorrow and see if this has been a problem for them too.” I nod and turn to my current issue.
“Do we know anyone with connections for exotic animals?” He sighs as he shakes his head.
The container shakes again as a loud roar echoes.
“I guess we’re about to be on the eleven o’clock news.” I pull out my phone and call animal control, followed by the police and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Someone is going to need to feed this thing, and it ain’t gonna be me.
I unlockmy house and dump my keys in the bowl by the front door. I yawn as I toe off my boots and hang up my cut. I climb the stairs to my bedroom as I rip my shirt over my head. I’m so bone tired that I almost didn’t bother taking the hour ride home.
All I want is a long, hot shower and my bed.
The floorboards in my room groan before I even get to the doorway. I pause in the hall and listen as I reach for my gun. The door is closed, and I frown, knowing I left it open when I went to Haven’s the other night.
A shadow crosses through the sunshine, and I’m about to kick the door down when I hear Haven’s voice on the other side.
“Get your ass in here. I drew you a bath, and I’m already naked.” Cursing, I turn the doorknob and catch her sinking into the clawfoot tub from the open en suite door.
