“That’s so creep-”
“Target just slipped into that hardware store,” OD said, coming back to our group as we hung around, out of sight, behind the corner. “Let’s go.”
“The hell is he doing in a hardware store?” Merc asked, frowning as we walked through the doors.
“Maybe he needs a hammer,” Code supplied helpfully.
“More likely has an old lady with a honey-do list,” Hype commented.
OD just shook his head. “No, the most likely scenario is that he lost his damn ten millimeter socket.”
All the men groaned at the same time. One of those noises that were a chorus of agreement and also sounded like they’d all been there before.
“A ten millimeter what?” I asked, then gasped as Code grabbed me by the arm and yanked me into an aisle.
“Target just went down the lumber aisle,” Merc muttered at me. “Low and slow.”
I looked at them all like they’d lost their minds. But they all seemed to know what he was saying.
“Keep your head down and keep out of sight,” Drifter told me, patting my shoulder.
“Thanks,” I replied, following them. OD hadn’t been kidding. These men moved as though they all shared a brain. And not just the pervert stalker brain. I was definitely the odd man out. Oddwoman out. But they weren’t treating me like I was in their way, and I really appreciated that.
We ducked down aisles and followed after the man they’d connected to The Collective. They didn’t use his name, just ‘target’. They must have a reason for that. Simplicity? Disassociation? I’d have to ask OD later. When he ducked behind some double doors into a back part of the warehouse, I frowned. “Speaking of suspicious…”
“Yeah,” the men said in unison.
“Are we going back there?” I asked.
“Need to,” OD said. He looked over at me.
“And I can come?” I asked, a little hesitantly because I didn’t want him to say no, but I was surprised.
“More dangerous to leave you out here alone if something’s up,” he replied.
“Oh, something’s up,” Relay confirmed what we were all feeling.
They all slipped their guns from their holsters. I’d brought mine as well and it rested comfortably in my hand. “What about the employees?”
“Whatever this guy’s up to, he’s likely paid them to disappear,” OD said, giving me a reassuring look before scanning the store behind us. “On three.”
I waited as he counted and ended up going through the door between Hype and Merc. I wondered if they did that on purpose, because both men were so much bigger than me I couldn’t really see much in front of, or behind, me.
OD was leading the charge, no surprise there, as we moved through the back area. I’d already realized that was just the kind of man he was. If there was danger, he’d be out front, confronting whatever situation needed it. Even though we were walking into a dangerous confrontation, I felt completely safe. It was amazing how they managed that.
Loud pops filled the room and I flinched but followed along as the others corralled me behind some shelving units.
“Told you,” Relay growled. “Knew there was something fucking waiting for us.”
That was when it clicked for me that the loud pops had been gunfire. Even though I’d taken my gun with me on most of my trips to search for Ryan, I’d never had to use it. I bought it not long after he disappeared and I’d made sure to fire it at the range a couple of times, but this would be the first time I used it in an actual fight. I was hit with the realization of just how unprepared I was. Thankfully I wasn’t alone.
OD’s face appeared in front of mine. “Stay here, Light.” His gaze slid away from me to the right. “Stay with her.”
“No problem,” Merc said with a nod. He didn’t seem upset about staying behind to baby sit while the other five ran toward the sound of bullets.
“Why don’t you put that away for now?” Merc suggested, gently taking my hand and lowering my gun. “Finger off the trigger.”
Right.“Sorry,” I told him, sliding my finger to the side of the barrel. “I’m okay now, I swear.”
