“Order says you did,” the man said. “Open up and see for yourself.”
“All right,” Sawyer said, as if accepting a challenge. “But you’re going to feel real silly in just a minute.” He jumped to the other side of the door and unlocked it, swinging it open in front of him as a shield. The man jumped inside and ducked, as Sawyer fired a shot. The bullet blasted through a kitchen cabinet.
The man grabbed Sawyer’s arm and jerked him from behind the door as Sawyer kicked at the man’s chest, landing a blow on his ribs. The man stumbled as he lifted his arm to shoot, but Sawyer’s quick reflexes allowed him to grab and twist the man’s arm before he could pull the trigger. The man shouted in pain, as he swung wildly with his other hand.
Sawyer ducked and swung at the man’s face as he reared back, switching his gun to his other hand. Sawyer didn’t like shooting at such close range, but as he lifted his weapon to fire, the man kicked out Sawyer’s legs from under him. Sawyer fell, barely managing to roll out of the way of the man’s line of sight, as the man fired into the floor.
“You’re a shitty shot,” Sawyer snapped, staggering to his feet and aiming with his own gun.
The man fired again, and Sawyer swung sideways to dodge. Sawyer took a shot as the man jumped into the living room, and behind a chair. Sawyer dropped to the ground behind a cabinet. A shot blasted past him into the door.
“Worst pizza delivery ever,” Sawyer called. “I’m not tipping.” He shouted as loud as he could, hoping Lila would hear him in the bedroom and know he was okay.
“Shut the hell up,” the man yelled, springing up to aim into the kitchen.
Sawyer waited, then pointed his gun over the bar top and fired. He knew he would miss, but the assailant ducked down again, and Sawyer charged. He flung the chair aside as the man rose to aim, barely getting leverage before Sawyer tackled him, knocking the gun out of his hand. Sawyer punched the man in the face, bloodying his lip.
“Most people just vote,” Sawyer growled. “It’s called democracy.” He punched the man again, but he managed to grip Sawyer’s arms and used the leverage to shove him to the side.
“Mercenaries shouldn’t judge each other. I was hired to take the senator and his family out, and I intend to follow through. Just like you were hired to protect her,” the man said, a smile flickering on his bloody lip.
“Who hired you?”
“That is of no consequence. Let the politicians fight among themselves. I’m more interested in the outcome of our duel to the death. Which one of us will stand victorious, I wonder.”
The mercenary scrambled for his gun across the floor, as Sawyer quickly regained his bearings.
“Stop right there!” Sawyer pointed his gun at the man, who now stood facing Sawyer, holding his gun in his right hand. “You’ll never get a shot off before I can pull the trigger. Drop it, pal. It’s over.”
The man visibly contemplated his choices and grinned, as if he enjoyed a good standoff. He made his move and raised his gun at Sawyer, but the seasoned veteran quickly fried two shots. The bullets caught the man in the chest, and he collapsed onto the floor. Blood splattered across the wall.
The safehouse was now compromised and Rustydefinitelywasn’t getting his deposit back.
Sirens wailed outside the building. Either Rusty, the neighbors or both, must have called the cops. Sawyer clutched his bad shoulder, massaging life back into it.
“It’s all right!” Sawyer called, so Lila would know he was still alive. He kicked the gun away from the man and checked his pulse.
Dead. The carpet felt sticky beneath his shoes. Sawyer did a methodical pat-down of every part of the man’s body from his side pockets to his chest pockets, but there was nothing traceable. He wanted to check for any devices which could serve as evidence, but nothing.
Sawyer ran into the back bedroom and opened the closet. “It’s safe to come out now.”
“Is he dead?” Lila asked, sitting on the ground with her arms around Hans.
Sawyer nodded. “Police are outside.”
Lila stood. Sawyer shook his head. “You don’t want to see it.”
“I’m a doctor,” Lila said. “Come on, Hans.” She tugged his collar and led him out of the closet to the living room. She surveyed the body and shrugged, after a moment. “I’ve seen worse.”
Sawyer smiled. “That’s my girl,” he said.
“Your girl, huh?” Lila asked, raising her eyebrows.
Sawyer wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her close. “You’re supposed to be the smart one between us,” he said. “Don’t you already know I want you to be my girl?”
Lila smiled, but her face quickly darkened. “My parents?”
Sawyer pulled his phone from his pocket, as NYPD rushed into the room. “Safe,” he said, checking texts. “The other conspirators were dealt with. Colt is a sniper, but Rusty says your dad took the kill shot? Not sure I read that right.”
Lila threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pulled back and laughed.
“You’re actually laughing?” Sawyer asked, bemused and surprised. “A man just died.”
“My dad was an Olympic shooter. Silver medal,” Lila explained. “And he packs.”
“Surprises run in the family then, huh?” Sawyer kissed her again. “Can’t wait to learn about your mother…”
