He knew it was wrong to manipulate Katrina like this, implying she would put him at risk by staying, but he needed her out of here and somewhere safe, no matter what.
“If we’re moving, we need to go now,” Rhett said, coming back from looking out the nearest window.“That drone is hovering on the far side of the building, still focused on the conference room.This might be our only chance to get out this way.”
Katrina shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked up at Darwin.
“Darwin’s right,” Asher said, gently taking her arm even as the man glanced his way.“He needs to know you’re safe so he can take this thing down.”
She reached up to wipe a tear from her face, indecision in her eyes.After a moment, she finally nodded.
“Once we’re outside, head straight for the nearest golf cart,” Darwin told her.“After we’ve lured the drone away, it’ll be up to you, Asher, and Upton to keep Seth away from Chapman.Simon and the other guys should be showing up soon.If you see them, tell them to find Chapman, and then come looking for the three of us.I’ll try to maneuver the drone into a place where they can shoot it down.”
Darwin was about to pull the Sig from the holster behind his back, he remembered the smaller back-up weapon tucked in the ankle holster.He considered giving it to Rhett or Jameson, even if it wouldn’t be much use against the drone, but then changed his mind.
Crouching, he slipped the compact gun out of the holster and held it out to Katrina.“Take this.If you run into Chapman, I want you to be able to protect yourself.”
She backed away, holding up her hands.“No way.I don’t know how to use that thing!”
Darwin looked back and forth between Asher and Upton, finally choosing the latter.At least he knew the man could shoot straight.
“Protect her with your life,” he said, handing Upton the weapon and extra magazines.
Darwin hoped he wasn’t making a big mistake.
“We need to go,” Rhett said.“The drone is on the move.I think it’s figured out we’re not upstairs anymore.”
Darwin turned to Katrina, wanting to say a hundred things, but not sure where to start, when she spoke.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” she said.“I need you to come back to me.”
Grabbing his hand, she yanked him close and kissed him hard on the mouth.
Then he was running for the door, and he had to shove thoughts of how awesome that kiss was into the background so he could focus on staying alive.
Chapter eighteen
“Thisisstupid,”Katrinamuttered as she watched Darwin run to the golf cart along with her father and brother.“How can they possibly get away from the drone on a golf cart?”
“You have to trust Darwin,” Upton said from where he stood at her side, looking out the window of the pressing shed, trying to catch sight of the drone.“He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep your father and brother safe while giving us time to get away.The faster we move, the faster we can get him help.”
Katrina wanted to argue, but she couldn’t.Even if it terrified her to think Darwin was willing to use himself as bait like this.
“Get ready,” Asher said from over by the other window.“I think the drone is about to go after their golf cart.”
Katrina looked out the window again in time to see the golf cart Darwin was driving disappearing down one of the vineyard lanes, heading away from the resort.Then she saw a blur in the darkness thirty above the ground, sliding soundlessly through the air like a shark, all matte black and sharp angles.Her stomach twisted into knots.That drone was built to be a killing machine, pure and simple.
“Okay, let’s go,” Asher said, nudging her and Seth toward the door.
Upton followed right behind them, carrying the small handgun pointed down and off to the side while his eyes scanned the darkness for signs of the drone coming back.Katrina had to admit it actually looked like he knew what he was doing.
They climbed into one of the other golf carts, Asher getting behind the wheel.As they drove toward the resort, Katrina couldn’t help looking back in the direction Darwin had gone, praying he’d be okay.
Taking her cell phone out of the clever hidden pocket in her dress, she scrolled through her contacts, hoping she had Lennox’s number.Luckily, she did.
He immediately responded to her text, saying he was on the way with Simon and some of the other guys and that they’d be at the resort in five minutes.
Get someplace safe and stay there, Lennox added.Trust Darwin to keep it together.But he can only do that if he knows you’re safe.
Katrina felt like screaming at this apparent universal need to keep her safe.
