A number of thunderous booms sound from the tunnel, a flash of light sparking inside it as a gust of wind explodes outside, sending dust and stones clattering around the entrance as the tunnel collapses from inside. I feel the vibrations travel through Saint’s hold on me.
My hand whips to grip Saint’s bulletproof vest. “Is he dead?”
The smirk falters, his eyes softening as he shakes his head. “They couldn’t find him or Louisa in the house. They’re searching through the woods and other tunnels.”
Oh great, so that wasn’t the only God damn secret passage these assholes have.
We don’t speak the entire rest of the way until we reach Saint’s familiar SUV as it’s tucked into a small clearing in the forest. The air feels heavy with the unknown. Each time I hear the crackle of the voice in his earpiece, his brows deepen, and worry seems to set further into his features.
Saint opens the back door of the car for me and slides me in on the seat. “Stuff’s in that bag for you. We’ll wait out here.” He gives me a tight smile, closing the door, and keeping his palm pressed against it.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I get to work and change into a fresh set of clothes. My hands are warm enough now to use, allowing me to free myself out of the material. The belt is already filled up for me with a Glock and knife.
My shoulder screams as I slide over the vest, but fuck does it feel good not having those damp blood-covered clothes sticking to my body. A bottle of water lays in the centre console, and I grab it to gulp down every drop.
The door whips open as I try to multi-task to tug back on the jacket Saint gave me, and it causes me to dribble some of the water down myself.
Saint lets out an exasperated breath. “Sorry, darling.”
Screwing the lid back on, I turn on my side to look at him. “What’s wrong?”
“He’s left the area.”
I try to smile at him reassuringly. “He can’t hide for long. Neither can Louisa.”
He tugs a cigarette out and lights it, blowing the smoke above the car whilst rubbing a thumb across his eyebrow. “I think there’s another fucking tunnel somewhere. There’s no way he’d get out the house.”
“How did you find out about the tunnels?” I ask.
“Your tracker’s GPS, and my dad figured out the rest. Then I asked Jenna if she knew about them.”
My eyes widen. “She talked to you?”
I know she’s been making slow progress with Rex, but I wouldn’t have imagined her talking to anyone else.
Saint reads the expression on my face. “I asked her a couple questions, she willingly answered. I was nice about it.”
My shoulders relax. I would hate for him to have barged in there and thrown off everything she’s been working on.
“Boss?” Holly calls from the front of the car, the bonnet raised.
Saint leans in to kiss me on the lips. It’s the first one I’ve had from him in what feels like an eternity, and it lingers, to the point the butterflies scream to be released from my chest.
“I’ll be back, darling. Put this on,” he says softly against my lips, giving me another chaste kiss as he tugs his earpiece out and drops it into my hand, slinking around the car.
I lick my lips, tasting everything that is Saint Blackwood as it mixes with the familiar tobacco and menthol. Another smallthing you don’t appreciate until it’s threatened to be snatched from you.
Greg barks from the front of the car, so I shove the device in my ear as I step outside when I hear the mention of my best friend. “Regina, what’s going on out there?”
Greg leans over the hood, and I’m no mechanic, but the cables and various parts that look like they should be connected to something tell me this thing isn’t driving anytime soon.
And there’s no doubt who’s responsible.
My earpiece comes on just in time to catch her words. “Your guys near the house are about to be overrun. Omnia have come out of nowhere. You need to fucking leave!”
Fuck.
Saint’s hand slams off the hood. He brushes past me as he pops the trunk door.
