“Well, you married me. Didn’t you?” I pulled her from the end, giving her an admonishing look. “We’re heading to the back to a rear exist. You’re going in front of me.” I caught movement out of the corner of my eye.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
My shots were calculated, yet not devoid of emotion as they normally would be.
I was protecting my wife after all.
Bastards.
Two shots hit their mark, one killing the fucker instantly while the other just knocked him down, his shoulder injury nothing but a badge of honor.
The other two had managed to move closer, which wasn’t in our best interest. If we could get behind the closed door, maybe we could block it off and buy ourselves a little time. For what, I wasn’t certain. But we were sitting ducks right here.
“Good point.”
“Stay in front of me and don’t deviate from the plan.” I pulled her closer, immediately hearing a clicking sound.
Well, shit. The fuckers had graduated to explosives.
“Go. Go. Go!” I kept my hand on her lower back as we raced toward the door with me firing off indiscriminate shots for cover.
The explosion drove us forward, my shoulder colliding with the wall just outside the hallway. While the agony was blinding, I ignored the pain, lumbering into the corridor. She was already working on trying to find something to block the door while I’d closed and locked it, catching sight of the aftermath of their crude pipe bomb.
Smoke filled the air, the stench acrid. Immediately, my eyes watered.
“God, you’re hurt,” she said, her usually strong voice wavering.
“I’m fine. Come on.” Together, we yanked a credenza from the wall across the door. That wouldn’t hold them for long, but hopefully enough we could make some headway.
As soon as the deed was done, we jogged down the passageway. When we reached the end, she started to turn one way, I started to turn another. Then we stared at each other for a beat.
“Trust me. Come this way,” she said, pointing.
“No, this way.”
“Nope. You’re wrong. They’re going to come from that way.” I’d be damned if she chose not to give me a choice, rushing around the corner.
“Fuck,” I hissed, rushing behind her. I’d barely made it to the corner when the air echoed with heavy running footsteps. “Keep going.”
“Not without you.” She was right beside me when the four soldiers came into view.
While I was pissed she couldn’t listen to a single order, maybe even wishing to get herself killed, she was a damn good shot. All the guilt she’d gone through before faded as she took crucial shots, easily gunning down two of the four.
As soon as I took out the other two and they crumpled to the floor, she let off a little woofing sound before grabbing my face and planting a kiss on my lips.
Her wild actions stopped us both cold, our breathing labored as if going through several rounds of passion.
“Nice shot, baby, but when this is over, we’re going to need to talk about your level of obedience. Stay right here. And I mean right here.” With a single growl, I rushed toward the downed soldiers, yanking their weapons into my hands. There could never be enough ammunition to fight a brigade of mobsters paid way too much money for a hit.
Or maybe they were involved in a little friendly competition given their clothing wasn’t at all what I’d expected, each one dressed a little differently.
Almost as if they’d decided on their manly attire from one too many war games.
Boom!
I didn’t have time to lament their fashion choices. The door we’d blocked had just been blown wide open. Rushing back, I handedher one of the assault rifles, not taking the time to ask if she knew how to use one. By the way she swung the strap over the opposite shoulder, I had a feeling there was little the woman couldn’t do.
That didn’t mean it wasn’t my job to keep her safe and alive.
