Fuck, that hurt.
I open my eyes in time to see Les jerk the guy’s head back and slit his throat. I give him a shove off of me and heave in a breath. I hear shots pop off behind Les and know the other guard is down. Les reaches down and pulls me back to my feet. “You good?” she asks softly.
“Yeah. Nice save, Boss.”
She shakes her head and tucks her knife into the sheath, pulling her gun back up. I knew she wouldn’t go without at least one of them.
“Have you seen Nina?” I ask Holden.
“No. But she must be in one of the two guarded rooms.”
“We have to split up,” Les says quietly so only we can hear. “Ryder and Leo with me. Dex, Gage, and Mateo take the upstairs. Micah?”
“He’s good. We’re taking cover,” Evander answers.
“Leo?” she asks softly.
“I’m good,” Leo answers and turns his head so she can pick him out.
She nods. “Let’s go.”
Guns at the ready, we step around the right of the staircase toward the back corridor. We don’t see anyone standing around, so we know they’re hiding, but we can’t risk asking Holden and giving away our positions. I don’t like splitting up, but we need to get out of here.
We get one door from the last one on the right, and one of the guys jumps out straight at Les. His fist pulls back and lets it fly right at her face. Her head snaps back, and his body jerks before falling to the ground. I look up to watch Leo lower his gun slightly.
Nice fucking shot.
I grab her to steady her, my blood boiling. This asshole picked what he thought was the easiest target. Les jerks her arm away before signaling for us to move.
I want to take her home and tuck her back into safety. We did this all the time, but nothing compares to watching the girl you love walk right into danger and not give a fuck.
I push Les behind me, risking getting stabbed before stepping further up the hallway. We all exchange looks when the other one is nowhere to be seen.
“Where are they?” I whisper into the comms.
“That room to your right,” Holden answers about the time shots are fired upstairs.
I take a deep breath before jerking the door open and sweeping the room. It looks like a fucking jungle in here with trees and flowers everywhere. It’s a huge greenhouse built on the inside of the house.
Sweat starts trickling down my spine from the humidity. We search every square inch with no sign of anyone. Why are they guarding this door?
“Holden, there’s no one in here!” Les says after the second sweep.
“That’s the room they were guarding, I swear.”
“Guys,” Leo hisses, pulling back some branches on one of the tall trees and revealing a hidden door.
“There’s no handle,” Leo comments, running his hand down the smooth surface.
“It’s a safe room,” Les replies, walking forward. “Holden, can you get us in?”
“I’m already on it.” I can hear him rapidly clicking keys.
“Dex. Check-in,” Les says into the comms. No answer. “Gage?” Her head swings to me when he doesn’t answer, either. “Anyone?”
“Still here,” Evander answers.
“All clear outside,” Mani says.
