Rafe stops moving, crouching behind a dumpster as he points into the air. “Camera’s there.”
I slide in beside him, shoulder nearly touching his. “Okay, so we stay close to the wall and cling to the blind spot.”
Rafe’s mouth twitches. “Sounds like a solid plan.”
“It’s our only plan, so it better be.” I shift my weight, checking all the angles.
Rafe breathes out through his nose. “Let’s hope this goes easy. I have a date later tonight.”
“You have a date?” I watch the side door.
“Nah, was just trying to see if you were paying attention.”
“Fair,” I concede, then motion. “Move.”
We cross the open stretch fast, low, slipping into shadow. The side entrance is two steps away. We’re almost clear. Then it happens.
I hear a faint click.
What the fuck is that?
Rafe freezes, and my blood turns to ice.
Without any warning, a silhouette appears behind us, gun already raised and firing.
A shot echoes through the air.
Before I even know what’s happening, Rafe is running toward me, pushing me. Then he jerks beside me, his hand flying to his side. I barely have time to understand what’s happening when Rafe falls to the ground.
My lungs seize. It’s like I’ve forgotten how to breathe. Time slows in a way that makes everything crueler. Rafe’s mouth opens, but no sound comes out at first.
He saved me.
Rafe inhales sharply, eyes snapping to mine. “Run,” he tries to bark, but it comes out like a cough.
I don’t run.
I explode.
I sprint straight at the shooter.
All rational thought has left my brain.
The only thing I can think about is death.
The hitman steps back, startled, trying to aim again. I slam into him. The gun goes off, the bullet biting into the wall behind me.
My fist meets his jaw.
Bone crunches.
He staggers.
I grab his wrist and twist hard until the gun hits the ground.
He swings at me, but I duck.
I use the moment of him being distracted to drive my elbow into his ribs.
