Holy shit! Maverick's heart jolted as his cock hardened. If that was the sign he needed to spring into action, then he was ready to go, as were the other members of their team. He jumped up from the sofa, leaping over it to attack the guard closest to him who was pulling his gun from his holster. He punched the man several times in the face, chest, then gut with rapid jabs. He snatched the gun from the man's hand, switched the safety off, then fired one shot into the man's head. He turned to see Akane taking out one of the other men. He heard a gun fire off, the bullet missing him as it shattered the lamp he'd been standingbeside. He looked to see Nico breaking the man's neck before taking the gun for himself.
Maverick ran and ducked behind the other large chair that gave little protection. But it was better than just standing in the open. More gunfire was heard from the other side of the door before it burst open and more of their men came into the hotel room. All hell had broken loose as bullets and curses flew here and there. Maverick peeked around the chair to see Enrique's corpse slumped back on the sofa, blood soaking the front of his expensive suit, his eyes still open as they stared blankly at the ceiling.
Now he understood why Akane was wearing those heels that he thought were impractical when they were going on a mission. The way she killed her target using such a lethal move left him more than impressed. He fired, his bullet striking one of Enrique's men in the leg. He cried out and took cover behind the kitchen, where two other men were also hiding and taking turns firing.
"Maverick!"
He turned at the call of his name to see Striker hiding behind a marble pillar that was riddled with bullets, marring the beauty of the craftsmanship. He watched the man give him signals that told him he had a plan of action. Maverick nodded and moved closer to the kitchen while Striker fired his shots, allowing him to get into position. He was on the other side of the counter, then he began sliding around it. Striker and Nico shot, keeping the three men crouched low, and when they felt like they had a chance, they rose to fire back.
That's when Maverick took the chance to slide out from the side, firing several shots and killing all three men. He knew it wasn't over because gunfire rang out as more of Enrique's men joined the fight. He took cover behind the counter among the three dead and used their guns as his own weapons. He rose upto take a shot, but the man he aimed at was killed by Akane, then another. She was kicking, and her aim didn't miss.
Maverick smiled as he watched her, then something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. A Chinese man entered, firing at Akane and Nico, his bullet hitting Nico's hand and making him drop the gun.
"Ahh, fuck!" Nico shouted as he ducked behind the desk he'd overturned for cover.
Akane took cover with Nico and Maverick saw several more Chinese men enter before he had to duck for his own protection. Shit, he was pretty sure those weren't Enrique's men. Had to be Jade Dragon Triad. He took a deep breath, then rose, firing and taking out one of the men. Akane and Jesse fired at the same time, their bullets hitting their targets.
"Sorry to crash your party," said one of the men before laughing.
"The more, the merrier," Maverick said, then he checked the bullets in his gun. His adrenaline was pumping along with the blood in his veins. The smell of copper was thick in the air as more bodies fell dead. He was getting low on ammo, so he checked the three corpses for more. He removed one clip and popped in another, cocking the gun's chamber.
The sound of bullets blared in the air, and he knew the police had to be on their way. They had to get the fuck out of this hotel. He was about to rise to fire when he saw a shadow creeping up on him from around the counter. Apparently, this guy was using the same tactic he'd used earlier before killing the three men who'd been using the kitchen as their stronghold. He aimed his gun, waiting. He fired as soon as the person showed himself, then his breath caught in his throat when he realized it was a corpse. In the split second it took for him to shift his gaze from the corpse to the barrel of the gun pointed at him, he knew it was too late.
White-hot pain rocketed through his bicep as the bullet penetrated his flesh. He fired his gun, hitting the corpse his attacker used as a decoy as he fell back from the impact of getting shot. He grunted in pain, then looked to see the man who had shot him was already lying down, blood pouring from his mouth as he gasped for air. Maverick looked up to see Akane standing over the man, her next bullet blasting the man's brains all over the marble floor.
She ran over to Maverick, squatting beside him. "Are you okay?" she asked as she looked him over, her expression full of concern.
Maverick groaned. "Fuck... I can't believe that son of a bitch got me," he said.
"That was Stephen Yeoh, one of the Triad's top killers. Don't take it so hard," Akane said as she helped Maverick to his feet.
"We've got to get the fuck out of here," Striker said.
"We're leaving now," Akane said.
"I'm good," Maverick said as he could walk on his own, but his right arm was useless thanks to the bullet that tore through his flesh. He ignored the pain to get out of there as fast as possible. Out of all the people who entered the gunfight, only six left: him, Akane, Jesse, Striker, Nico, and one of Rico's men from their hit squad. They took the service elevator that was locked down by their people who were waiting for them.
"Did we kill all of those Triad bastards?" Maverick asked.
"Three got away," Nico said as he tightened the tie he'd stolen from one of the dead to add pressure to his wound.
"Had you not taken Stephen out when he fired that shot—"
"You would be dead, I know," Akane said, because it was her bullet to Stephen Yeoh's lungs that messed up the man's aim. She slid up next to Maverick, her lips an inch from his ear. "Your life belongs to me now. You are mine."
Hearing those words left Maverick conflicted. Yeah, he was so used to women wanting to be his Old Girl, but none were ever worthy. But he was always used to being in control. Akane threatened that, and he wasn't sure if he could allow himself to be with a woman who was his equal. Who'd demand as much of him as he would of her. He was a Prince of the Lords. Women who hung around them knew their place. The men were the rulers. The women were their prize, their precious possessions.
What the fuck was Akane supposed to be to him? His... match?
His cock was still hard because even though his arm was on fire, it burned along with his desire. After the battle he'd had and his attraction to Akane, he wanted to fuck like his life depended on it, but it wasn't the time. He knew how to prioritize.
"Let's just focus on getting out of here alive," Maverick said.
Akane giggled, but it wasn't the kind of giggle most women had—sweet and playful. No, hers was full of the promise of pleasure and pain she was going to give him... he knew it, and... he wanted it.
Damn it. Her claws might already be too deep into him, he thought.
The elevator doors opened, and their men lowered their guns once they identified them. They all escaped using the routes they had planned prior to the attack.
