Nico keeps scanning. “You’re welcome.”
I push myself up onto one knee and immediately regret it.
Pain slams through me hard enough that I have to brace a hand against the gravel.
Vito’s eyes drop to my side. “You’re bleeding.”
“I noticed.”
“You look like you’re about to fall over.”
“I might.”
“You were losing that fight.”
“I had it.”
Nico huffs. “Sure.”
I glare at him.
A burst of gunfire sounds from the direction of the rear lawn. Unsuppressed now.
Someone is either out of caution or out of options.
We all turn toward it.
I stand fully, slower than I want, and use the utility box for balance before I can stop myself.
“Status,” Vito says.
“At least a dozen attackers,” I say. “Phones jammed. Main panel sabotaged. Backup disabled. I took down five, one technical here, unconscious behind the enclosure, and this one makes seven.” I nod toward the bodies.
“I saw a couple more around, which means there should only be a couple left. I left Andrew alive in the hall closet in bad shape. One of Nick’s people is alive near the garden, leg wound. Others unknown.”
Vito’s jaw tightens.
I look at Nico. “Andrew confirmed there’s a jammer van on the east service road.”
Nico nods once. “I’ll take it.”
“No,” I say automatically.
He gives me a look. “Don’t start.”
“That road is exposed.”
“I know the property.”
“So do I.”
“You can barely stand.”
“I can stand.”
“For now,” Vito says. “And someone needs to get the cameras back.”
I hate that he is right.
