He felt dizzy, and pain throbbed at his shoulder, but he could only think of one thing. “Sebastian,” he hollered. “You okay?”
The door opened, and Sebastian stepped out. He was white as a damn sheet, and it took all Declan’s self-control not to pull him into his arms and squeeze him tight.
“What just happened?” Sebastian asked, breathless.
Declan dropped the gun to his side. “Looks like you’re a bigger target than we realized.” He grabbed the keys from beside the door.
“You’re leaving!” Sebastian announced, frantic. “You can’t leave me right now!”
Declan reached out to squeeze his arm. Something about the warmth of touching Sebastian sent a shiver through his whole body. “I have to find out what happened to the security up front,” he said. “Someone could need medical attention. But look.” He turned Sebastian toward the window. “Three sets of tracks. I saw them all leave.”
Sebastian looked hesitant, too scared to agree. Declan considered leaving him with the gun but knew Sebastian was more likely to hurt himself than someone else.
“We’re going to lock you in the bathroom,” he said. “I’ll take one walkie; you’ll take the other. And remember, I promised I’ll keep you safe, okay?” He didn’t know why he felt the need to keep making a promise like that, but when he looked into Sebastian’s eyes, the words poured out of him.
“Okay,” Sebastian answered. “Should I call the police?”
Declan shook his head quickly. “I’ll call your dad. He said he wants to oversee any report, if an incident occurs.”
“Okay,” Sebastian said, his voice a little more confident.
Declan held his gaze. “I’ll be right back,” he promised again. “The worst is over.”
He turned and headed to the door. The security guard up front was an urgent concern, but damn if it didn’t seem to hurt every time he left Sebastian’s side.
“What in the ever-living fuck,” he grumbled as he stomped outside and into the snow. His brain slowly started to piece together what had happened and what it meant for the job.
Big Paolo had got him over good with this one, but at least Declan wasn’t bored anymore.
