I snicker. “Who says I was aiming for you?”
A metallic groan comes from behind Keres. She turns just in time to see the legs of the large holding tank behind her buckle and crash onto the ground. Crushing her under a pile of rubble.
I dust off my pants, walk over to the mess, and yank the Glock out of her exposed hand. “Newton’s third law. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Bitch! And by the way - you're fired!”
I remove the actual comm link out of an inner pocket on my vest, activating it as I push it into my ear. “If you guys got all that, I could use some help in here. A bolt cutter, and possibly a medic.”
My side is burning. I can’t seem to catch my breath. I limp over to the wall where Faylor and Rand are chained up.
I pull the gags out of their mouths.
“Are you okay?” I look to Faylor first. She’s crying but nods at me.
Her tears cause mine to well up. I wipe my face and realize I have blood on my hands. I look down at my side.
“Shit. I think I’ve been shot,” I say into the microphone on my Kevlar vest that didn’t stop a bullet. “Might want to hurry with that medic.”
The commotion of the Saber Security teams crackles over the comm link and comes to a noisy head behind me. I turn toward Rand. I’m lightheaded. I must be losing blood.
Craptastic.
“Hey, before I pass out,” I look into his beautiful green eyes. “Wanted to tell you - love you.”
The world goes blissfully black.
Chapter 51
“And puffin makes three.”
-Rand
Five days later.
“You’ve got the rings, right?” I tug at the collar of my rented Dread Pirate Roberts costume.
Faylor laughs and rolls her eyes at me. “Yes. For the thousandth time in the last thirty minutes. Yes, I have the rings, your highness.”
I squint at her. “Tell me again why you’re not with Carolina?”
“She wanted to surprise you,” Faylor smirks. “And it might take a little bit longer with the stitches.”
My breath catches as I think of the nine stitches Carolina needed in her side from the bullet grazing her waist. After the big takedown at the soda factory, Saber Security medics rushed her to the hospital. Doctors stitched her up. She didn’t need any extra blood, thank God, and was able to go home to rest.
Toourhome. Where it’s quiet, and there’s plenty of room for Inigo Montoya to roam. Inigo the cat, not Mandy Patinkin. Although, we’d let Mandy roam the neighborhood if he wanted to come for a visit.
A quiet visit because I’m not sure my heart can take any more excitement like what we’ve been through in the last two weeks. Ever. Again.
Faylor tugs at my sleeve, letting me know: It’s Go Time.
We walk out into the medieval wedding chapel. Did you know Las Vegas has a wedding chapel theme for everyone? And when you tell a teenager you want to surprise your Not-So-Imaginary Fiancée with a realPrincess Bride-style wedding, Faylor was on that like white on rice.
She found the chapel, hired the officiant, and found costumes in our sizes within ninety minutes. It took her another twenty minutes to book the first-class airline tickets. Maybe we need to put Faylor in touch with Tatiana. Those two could rule the roost at Saber Security. At least they will after Faylor graduates high school. And college. And she’ll probably have to learn to drive. And get a car. And…
“Relax, Uncle Daddy,” Faylor winks at me.
I glare at her. She knows I hate when she calls me that.
I’m about to tell her my thoughts on the matter when a fanfare of trumpets sounds from the back of the chapel. I turn. The doors open. And behind those doors is a vision.
