And Lorenzo wins.
But if I’m right…
“Trust yourself, baby girl,” Dad’s voice whispers in my memory. “You’re smarter than you know.”
I pull.
The wire comes free with a soft click, and the timer stops.
22
22
22
Frozen. Not counting down. Not exploding.
“Mikhail, the red wire. If it’s lighter than the others, that’s it,” I hiss as he discards the bomb and pulls me into his thick arms.
Lorenzo’s curse echoes through the speakers.
“Kill them! Kill them all!”
His men open fire through the walls, and Mikhail is already dragging me away.
“How did you—” He doesn’t finish. His body shields mine as bullets ricochet around us, and we dive behind an old couch.
“My father,” I gasp, my hands shaking with adrenaline. “He taught me. I didn’t realize until now.”
Mikhail’s jaw clenches, and I see something flicker in his eyes. Regret. Guilt. Understanding.
But there’s no time for that conversation. Not now.
“Tony!” I peer around the couch, my heart lurching when I see my brother still strapped to his chair, the vest on his chest still counting down.
13
12
11
“I’ve got him.” Mikhail presses his Glock into my hand. “Cover me.”
He’s moving before I can argue, sprinting across the living room in a crouch.
I rise and fire at Lorenzo’s men as they approach from the hallway, my aim steadier than I expect.
I don’t think about the fact that I’m shooting at people.
Don’t think about anything except keeping Mikhail alive.
A man falls back, then another.
The kickback from the Glock rattles through my arms, but I keep firing until the magazine clicks empty.
Mikhail reaches Tony and tests the bomb’s wires. I can see his lips moving, can imagine what he’s saying.Stay still. Trust me. I’ve got you.
6
