Somehow, her perspective on the situation made more sense and boosted my confidence.
I glanced at the pistol in her hand. “Do you know how to use that thing?”
“I popped a man’s leg with it just hours ago.”
Fair enough.
I wasn’t in agreement with this plan, but then again, she’d made up her mind to come with.
“Lay low and stay close.” I led the way, holding up the rifle in front of me.
With my other hand, I held on to her, and we moved through the hallways. The air was thick with the stench of death and the smell of gunpowder. Bodies lay sprawled across the floor, my men and Richard’s.
The walls were stained with blood, the corridor echoing with gunshots. Without hesitation, I shot any enemy in sight. I expected the hallways to be raging hot, but all I found was a pile of bodies.
Since we’d left the office, I’d killed barely three of Richard’s men. I couldn’t help noticing that most of the corpses were the enemy’s.
“Look out!” Emika yelled, her voice laced with urgency.
However, before I could even lift my head, she’d squeezed her trigger. She put three bullets in the chest of an enemy ahead. I’d been so distracted by the bodies on the floor that I hadn’t seen him appear around a corner.
If Emika hadn’t fired first, he probably would’ve shot us down.
I hurried over to his motionless body on the ground to confirm the kill.
“Is…is he dead?” she whispered, stuttering.
I nodded.
And just like that, the shooting stopped, followed by the voices of my men chanting in Russian. Heavy footsteps rapidly approached us, and Emika aimed her gun at the corner. Waiting.
When I heard the familiar voices, I lowered my guard and stood at ease.
“Put the gun down,” I said to her. “They’re not the enemy.”
“Seeing is believing.” She held on to her weapon, refusing to trust my words.
I let out a soft scoff.
When the men rounded the corner, they lifted their hands in surrender.
“Don’t shoot!” Sergei exclaimed, arms in front of him. “We’re not the enemy.”
It wasn’t until she saw them for herself that she lowered her gun.
I stepped forward, my face twisting into a frown. “What happened here?”
“Richard’s men invaded,” Sergei answered. “But we were more prepared. They’re all dead.”
I clenched my jaw. “And Richard?”
“He’s downstairs.”
“He’s alive?” Emika asked, sounding more disappointed than relieved.
“Barely,” Sergei said. “He’s wounded. Ain’t no way he’s gonna make it.”
“What about the maids?” Emika asked, concerned. “Natalya and Hannah—what about them? Are they okay?”
