We failed Vee, and we’ll spend the rest of our lives making it up to her.
Another beat of silence stretches between us. Still no movement from the house. No voices from men keeping watch. Just the sound of tree limbs swaying in the wind and brushing against the house.
“Looks empty,” Javier says.
“Or they’re good at hiding,” Nic says.
Luca checks his watch, jaw tight. He stares at the house another few seconds like he’s trying to see through the walls to see who’s inside and where they are. What I’d give to be fucking Superman right now. I’d use my X-ray vision and then switch to being Flash and run into the house, rescuing Vee without anyone noticing.
Luca exhales sharply. “Fuck it. Let’s go in.” He turns, pointing at each of us as he talks.
“Javier and Ryker, take a few of the guys to the back of the house. I’ll take Nic, Luke and Josh with the rest to the front.”
His gaze cuts to the four members of the Satan’s Rejects standing near the tree smoking. “You four stay out here. Make sure no one gets out, and no one comes in.”
They nod immediately. No arguments. Just doing as their Pres orders them.
Luca jerks his chin toward the house. “Let’s move. My sister is the priority. She doesn’t get hurt,” he reminds us as if he has to.
We split fast. Us heading to the front door while the others head to the back. We move quietly, not wanting to alert anyone to our presence.
The air feels heavier as we approach the house, boots quiet against the cracked walkway. The boards across the window look old but solid.
We step onto the porch and wait, giving the others time to get to the back. Then Luca raises three fingers and counts down.
Three.
Two.
One.
The front door explodes inward with the force of our bodies at the same time our team at the back door hits their entrance.
We rush in hard, weapons up, clearing corners fast. Dust and stale air fill the place. The inside smells like old wood and something sour. But I notice it’s been lived in. The television is on, there are bottles of beer on the coffee table and bags of takeout food.
Someone is living here. God, let her be here.
“Kitchen’s clear,” Javier shouts from the kitchen.
“Living room’s empty,” I call back.
“Where the fuck is everyone?” I ask, leading me to believe Vee is definitely not here. If she was to be sure the fucker would have an army guarding them.
Then we hear something upstairs just as the guys join us. A shuffle, then feet on the floor. Our heads all shift toward the sound.
“Upstairs,” Luca mutters, placing his hand over his lips. We all lift our guns ready for anything.
We start toward the staircase when movement appears at the top.
A guy possibly late twenties, early thirties comes barreling down them. For a split second my brain catches on something familiar. He looks like a younger version of the man from the video. Same face. Same eyes. Only this one’s holding a gun.
And he’s already pulling the trigger.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Shots explode through the house.
“DOWN!” Luca shouts.
