Jay edged closer to the shelves when an explosion rocked the warehouse, distracting Walton enough for Jay to grab one of the smaller PVC pipes off the shelf. He swung it with all his strength toward Walton’s head. The impact was brutal, sending Walton crashing into the shelves and stunning him long enough for Jay to take off toward the end of the row.
Gunfire erupted in the warehouse, and something that sounded like a flashbang went off upstairs. Rounding the aisle, Jay almost slammed into Fleming. Without hesitating, Jay ducked and swiped Fleming’s leg from under him. He knewFleming wasn’t about to let go of his rifle, so Jay swiped the Glock from his holster and bolted. Upstairs, more guns went off, and Jay’s heart leaped in his throat.
Ryden.
Shouting and the thundering sound of gunfire echoed through the air. The Kings and the others had found their moment and breached the warehouse. Jay had to get to one of them, though he had no idea where in the warehouse they might be. He’d just rounded the next aisle when the second-floor door slammed open.
Finch and Ryden hurried through, and Jay had never been so happy to see them. They hurried down the stairs when Rivera stumbled into the doorway, gun in his bloodied hand. He propped himself against the doorframe and aimed.
No.
Jay detested guns, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know how to use them. He’d spent plenty of time training with Ace and Lucky. Jay aimed and took a deep breath, then fired, hitting Rivera and forcing his shot to go wide as he stumbled back. Finch spun and fired. Rivera was down. The look of pride on Ryden’s face had Jay’s heart skipping a beat. And Finch? Well, his brother looked surprised as hell.
How about we all get out of the warehouse rigged to blow?
Ryden and Finch reached the bottom of the stairs and rushed over to him. Despite the circumstances, Jay couldn’t help but throw his arms around Ryden, hugging him tight.
“Thank goodness you’re okay,” Ryden murmured, kissing the top of Jay’s head.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Jay replied.
Ryden ran a hand over Jay’s head. “Youareokay, yes?”
Jay nodded. He might not be so okay when this was all over and he had to process everything, but that was a tomorrow problem.
“I’m glad you’re safe now, Jaybird,” Finch said, smiling at him. He looked like he wanted to say more, but it wasn’t the time. Jay was relieved his brother was okay, too.
“Stay behind me.” Ryden moved Jay behind him, and Jay didn’t argue.
“They’ve set explosives,” Jay told them. “I have no idea how much time we have.”
Ryden tapped his earpiece. “Fellas, this place is rigged to blow. Rivera is down.”
“Roger that,” King replied. “Get Jay out of here. South exit. We’ll meet you outside.”
It sounded like the team had split up and breached various entrances because the gunfire was spread out. Everyone had most likely taken cover. Jay’s heart skipped as they moved forward, Ryden and Finch with weapons raised as they scanned for threats. Jay had seen the various military maneuvers the Kings used to take down threats, and one of them was to surround the hostiles and move in, forming a tight circle and giving the hostiles no choice but to surrender.
A burst of gunfire erupted close by, and bullets zipped past them, pinging off the forklift where they’d taken cover. Ryden and Finch returned fire, moving tactically through the maze of building supplies. They kept Jay between them, tucking him out of sight when they had to take cover. Ahead of them, Jay spotted Ace, who gave the signal.
“Close your eyes and cover your ears,” Ryden ordered.
Jay quickly did as he was told, waiting for the flashbang Ace had lobbed to go off before opening his eyes and moving his hands away from his ears. The explosion of light and sound disoriented Fleming, Dennis, and Jones, allowing the Kings and Wild Cards to surge forward, shouting for them to raise their arms above their heads and get down on their knees. The ex-Marines were outnumbered, and they knew it. Walton was still in the warehouse somewhere.
With Fleming, Dennis, and Jones in restraints and in their custody, the team covered their retreat, each member watching their six as they backtracked toward the exit. The tension was thick, and Jay couldn’t help but frantically look around him. Where was Walton? As they neared the door, an explosion on the other end shook the building. Dust and debris rained down, and Ryden grabbed Jay’s wrist.
“Go!” King motioned for everyone to run just as another explosion went off. With all the chemicals in this place, it was on the verge of becoming an inferno. They all sped out of the building, not stopping as they headed as far from the warehouse as possible.
Jay glanced back. The warehouse was alight with smoke and fire. A shadow moved from somewhere in the smoke, and Jay thought his eyes might be playing tricks on him. Before he could see what it was, Ryden had his arms around him and turned just as a shot rang out. Jay cried out as he hit the ground, Ryden on top of him. What the hell just happened?
Gunfire followed, then another explosion. The sound of sirens filled the air, and Jay looked up, his eyes meeting Ryden’s.
“Ry?” His voice was hoarse.
“I’ve got you, darlin’. I’ve got you.”
Was it finally over? Tears welled in Jay’s eyes. “I was so scared I’d never see you again.”
“They don’t know how stubborn you are.” Ryden pressed a kiss to Jay’s forehead and brushed his hair away from his brow. “Or how fierce.”
