“Looking for this?” A large, swarthy-skinned man dressed in black walks out of the shadows, holding up the box.
I conceal my knives under my sleeve and discreetly press my ring to alert whoever’s tracking me that I’m in trouble. I know Copper will have already raised the alarm, but...
My heart rate spikes as two more men emerge from the shadows. Their faces are concealed by balaclavas, adding to their menacing personas. I know I need to keep them busy for as long as possible until help arrives, so I focus on the de facto leader with the box.
“That’s the key to my fiancé’s bike. I’d like it, please.”
He chuckles, moving closer. “That’s not going to happen. Mr Eade would like a word with you.”
“Then tell Mr Eade he can make an appointment during work hours, the same as everyone else,” I inform him haughtily. “I don’t get paid to work out of hours.”
The men laugh as if they find me amusing. I know what they’re doing; boxing me in. I can’t let that happen.
Taking them by surprise, I walk into the middle of the car park, putting myself in a better position to take them on with more room to move, and using the cars for cover if needed.
The man holding the box smirks. “Mr Eade follows his own timeline. And he wants to have a word with you. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
I cock my eyebrow at them. “Is that right?”
They pause, as if realising that they’re not dealing with a defenceless woman.
“Well, I don’t work to Mr Eades' timeline,” I continue. “I have plans tonight, and like I said before, if he wants to speak to me about work-related issues, he can come to the office. Although I have no idea why he wants to speak to me. I don’t work on his accounts.”
Box man shrugs and holds up his hands in a placating manner. “It’s not my place to question what Mr Eade wants with you. Ihave a job to do, which is to bring you to him. He didn’t stipulate what condition you should be in, just that you should be alive.” He pauses. “So, easy way or hard way?”
Fuck, I’m running out of time. I can’t stall them much longer.
“Hmm, let me think.” I pretend to consider while I subtly adjust my stance, ready to make my move as soon as I see an opening. “I’ll take the hard way.”
I throw my knife as the last word leaves my mouth. Satisfaction flows through me as it finds its target in the eye of one of the masked men. He drops like a stone.
Taking advantage of their stunned surprise, I pluck a knife from my boot and run at the other man. Launching myself at him, I wrap my legs around his neck, yank his head back, and slice the knife across his throat all in one smooth move. I drop and roll to my feet just as Box Man finally realises what is happening.
He barks into the radio attached to his shoulder as I sprint for the cars. “I need backup. Now! She’s taken out Fitz and Roe.”
I pull my gun from my holster, a little smug that I’ve taken out two men. Now I just need to stay alive until backup arrives.
Which becomes an almost impossible task when a black van appears, and ten more men stream out. Instincts kicking in, I raise my gun and pick them off one at a time, moving after every shot to prevent them from pinning me down.
I’m holding my own until my luck runs out. I don’t see one of them sneak up behind me. Pain explodes in my head, and everything goes black.
CHAPTER 20
COPPER
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I slam my hand on the steering wheel as Bella ends our call, staring blindly at the traffic jam in front of me.
I knew as soon as I reached the location of the broken-down car that something was wrong.
My call with Bella has only confirmed that our cover is blown. And now, she’s alone without backup.
My heart beats so hard and fast that I can hear it in my ears. Terror crawls up my throat.
I quickly dial Coal, not wasting time with pleasantries when he answers. “I need you. Cover’s been blown. Bee is in danger. Have Thea track her.”
“Fuck,” Coal curses. “Are you okay, brother?”
“No,” I admit, my voice cracking. “She’s on her own. I should’ve been there. We’re meant to be a fucking team.”
