Four more hit the floor, and I duck back as bullets smack into the leather booth.
“Zia!” My name makes me whirl around, and I see Nikko rushing back into the bar, looking terrified. My heart stops as I see the closest man turn and aim at him. They don’t care who he is. He’s just in their way.
Leaving my cover, I sprint and slam into the man as the gun fires. I spare a glance to see Nikko ducking, the wall exploding over his head.Snarling, I ram my fist into the man’s face as fury like no other takes over.
Blood splatters me as I grin and crush his face with my bare hands, pulverizing him as he screams and bucks, trying to get away. When he stops moving, I get to my feet, knowing I’m covered in blood, but I grip Nikko’s face. He’s pale and wide-eyed.
“Are you okay?” I ask just as pain explodes in my shoulder, spinning me. Turning quickly, I fire at the man who shot me as Nikko grabs me.
“You’re bleeding!” he exclaims as I push him behind the closest table and grin.
“Stay here, okay? I’m almost done, baby, promise.” Kissing his cheek, I stand and yank my jacket off, letting it drop.
“That was my favorite jacket, assholes!”
“Zia!” Faiz tosses me a clip, and I slide it in, heading to the four remaining men huddled near the door. I spray across the table, hearing a pained grunt, knowing I got one, then I grip the wood and leap over, knocking them back. I shoot one in the chest, then I notice one is gripping his leg, so I kick his gun away before I turn to the other two. Smashing my gun into one’s face, I duck to avoid the other’s hands. Julies drags him back with a laugh as he snaps the man’s wrist, making him drop the gun. I leave him to Julies as I knock the other out and look around.
Music still pumps through the club, but it’s empty except for us and the bodies on the floor.
“Clear?” I call to my men.
“Clear, sir,” they reply, and I watch as Julies snaps the other’s hand. Faiz is kicking away guns, checking those on the floor, while Chan snorts a line off a dead man’s back. I roll my eyes just as a noise makes me turn to see the one who was shot in the leg crawl past me.
“It looks like we have a runner—er, crawler,” I tease, watching as the man sobs and tries to pull himself to the door.
Idly, I fire at his other leg, and he screams.
“If they are alive, tie them up,” I order. “We want to talk.”
Putting my gun away, I head back to see Nikko on his feet. “Are you okay?” I ask worriedly, checking him over. Adrenaline is still pumping through me, and I hesitate when I realize my hands are covered in blood. “Nikko,” I prompt.
“You’re shot,” he whispers, eyeing the wound, and he seems to come out of his shock. “Fuck, baby, you’re shot!”
“I’m okay. It was through and through,” I assure him as I kiss him. He doesn’t pull away, which I’m grateful for. I never wanted him to see this, but I guess it’s good he did. “Wait here, okay?”
My face goes cold as I turn away, finding the men already tied. Faiz waits for me next to them, and I prowl over. There are three of them, all bleeding from somewhere and looking pathetic.
As I pace in front of the three men, I ignore my injured arm. “Who hired you?” I demand.
“We’ll never talk,” the one on the right hisses, so I raise my gun and blow out his brains. The others jerk as he falls.
“I’m not very good at this negotiating thing, I much prefer killing, so let me ask again. Who hired you?”
“I don’t know—” He hits the floor before he finishes the sentence, so I crouch before the third.
“You better know or you’ll end up like your friends,” I warn slyly.
“I can find out. Please, don’t kill me. I can be useful,” he begs, his face pale.
“So you don’t know.” I sigh as he begs and cries. “How irritating.” Standing, I fire without looking, and his sobs cut off.
“Find any clues,” I order my men who are waiting. “Find the money trail and clean this up. Catch any stragglers.”
“Yes, sir,” my guards reply and hurry to do just that. I know they were stationed outside, so I’m not too worried.
“Shit, Z, I’m sorry. I thought this would work,” Faiz admits.
“So did I. It shows they are getting desperate though. Don’t worry, I’ll get them.” Nodding at him, I look at the other three. “Go home, I’ll deal with cleanup.”
