Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Wondered why Dani hadn’t let me know if she’d reached Lemon.”
“If I ever tell you sat phones are overkill again, remind me of this.”
“Blaze and I will take over from here, Wylde.” Cyrus clapped me on the shoulder. “Orders from Sting. You’re to find Apple and Lemon and get them to safety, then stand down.”
“Like fuck. This fucker’s mine.”
“Out of the question,” Blaze snapped. “You have your orders. Follow them or I’ll forcibly remove you, and that would waste time we could use to fix this.”
He had me there. “Fucker,” I muttered, but I knew I’d follow Sting’s instructions.
The next classroom we liberated had Apple flying into my arms. She sobbed into my shoulder to muffle the sound, shaking uncontrollably.
“Where’s Deacon?” She asked the question in a whisper, but I heard her.
“Not sure, honey. I’m sure he’s not far.”
“He’s not.” The man in question had a Ruger in one hand and a rifle slung over his other shoulder. Apple immediately let me go and jumped into the big man’s arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Her slender body shook with her sobs, but she didn’t make a sound other than to whisper.
“I can’t find Lemon. She’s out there somewhere in danger.”
“She’s tough, honey,” Deacon responded quietly. “I’d worry more about that fucker than I would about her.” I knew Deacon meant it, but also that he was still worried about Lemon. We all were.
“The important thing now is that you’re safe, Apple,” I said before my gaze landed on Deacon. “You keep her that way. Hear?”
Deacon gave a short nod. “I will. I’ll get her to the others, then come help you search for Lemon.”
“You’ll do what Sting says,” I snapped, not wanting the other man hurt. I tried to tell myself that, if he were hurt or killed, it would devastate Apple which would, in turn, upset Danica, but I had the uncomfortable thought it might upset me too. Which I absolutely would not acknowledge right now.
“Wylde --”
“No! You’ll do what I tell you, prospect. If Sting gives the OK, fine. But you will check with him before you come back inside this building.” I was hoping that would give the police time to get here and the matter would be taken out of Deacon’s hands, but he didn’t need to know that.
Without waiting for him to acknowledge me, I continued on, making sure everyone we came to got out safely. We were getting closer and closer to the gunfire. It happened in sporadic bursts. Every time the big Magnum went off, I grew more and more angry.
“This fucker is rapidly losing any sympathy I had for him.”
“Don’t think about it,” Cyrus cautioned. “I’m not.” The other man had changed somewhat since finding Odette. I was happy for him. Of all the men in Iron Tzars, Cyrus probably understood me best.
We continued on. The area we were currently in had mostly evacuated, but now the gunfire was getting closer. I glanced at Cyrus as we approached a corner. He nodded back to me. I pulled out my phone and turned on the video recorder then carefully moved it around the corner to get an idea of what I was dealing with. I gave it a few seconds before easing it back and taking a look at the video.
Sure enough, the gunman was there. His back was to us, and he appeared to be walking away from us. There was a long expanse of hall ahead of him and he appeared in no hurry. I tucked my phone back in my pocket and caught Blaze’s gaze. He shook his head, indicating I needed to back off. Like that was going to happen. I’d been told to find Lemon and get her out, but if I took out the gunman before I found Lemon, the problem would take care of itself. The bloodcurdling battle cry wasn’t something I was expecting.
“Bloody hell,” Blaze muttered.
“Fuck me.” Cyrus’s eyes widened, an uncharacteristic show of emotion on his part. Well, other than irritation. He was good at irritation.
I sighed, fear threatening to take over. “That’s Lemon.”
All three of us dashed around the corner, guns drawn, charging full speed. I yelled just as the gunmen raised that fucking Magnum in Lemon’s direction.
“Move!” I yelled, trying to get the gunman to turn to me. I had no intention of letting him hurt Lemon, and I didn’t mind shooting him if I had to, but I had no desire to shoot a man in the back.
Just as I hoped, the guy turned to look over his shoulder. Sure enough, Leo Winston looked back at me. His features were more scared than angry, as if he were doing something he wasn’t sure he was fully committed to, yet couldn’t seem to stop himself. Until he saw me. Then unadulterated rage filled his expression.