I should leave. I should focus on surviving.
But as I stare at the back of his head—listening to his maniacal chuckle—all I want to do is end this before he has the chance to do it to anyone else.
Leaving the elevator behind, I slip into the office, taking careful steps so Eli doesn’t hear my approach. He continues rocking in his chair, talking to someone on the phone. Blood courses between my temples, muting all other sounds.
Eli is mid-laugh as I slide up behind him, winding my arm around his throat and pressing the blade tohis neck. A crimson streak paints his skin as he freezes mid-sentence, glancing up at me.
His dark eyes meet mine, and he sets the phone down, ending the call without explaining.
“Seems like I underestimated you.” He grins; not an ounce of fear shows on his face. “I appreciate the attempt, but it isn’t going to get you anywhere.”
A click comes from my left, and I glance to see three men entering the room through another door, their guns aimed at my head.
39
Soul
We slip into thebuilding without running into any trouble. As Ghost anticipated, it’s easy to hide from the cameras in the back parking lot, so we’re able to weave through the blind spots on the south side until we reach the back door.
There are only two guards at the service elevator, and we take them out quickly. Then all we have is a long, quiet ride before all hell unleashes.
My gaze shifts to the camera in the corner of the elevator. Ghost has the feed running on a loop, so Eli’s men don’t know we’re coming. But if it stops at any other floors first, we’re fucked.
Emery is so close and so far. The light moves from one number to the next as we ascend the building, and I feel like I’m moving in slow motion.
She’ll be fine.She has to be.
Emery might doubt herself, but she escaped this world once. She’s a fighter, and I know she’ll do everything in her power to fight back.
I’m coming for you.
I take a breath, steadying myself as my gun hangs heavy in my grip. Until the elevator dings at the final floor, and my heart races. We went over this plan ten times on the ride here. Everyone has their roles memorized.
The moment the doors slide open, we move in unison, not hesitating for a second.
Going into battle with the club is as much about guns and manpower as it is trust. I know they have my back, and they know I have theirs. We don’t look over our shoulders or second-guess.
We move forward and take out everything in our wake.
Legacy takes out three of Eli’s men before the others notice we’ve stepped out of the elevator. Our silencers are the only thing keeping us a step ahead, but once they turn and begin shooting, all bets are off.
We quickly work our way through the rooms, clearing the floor. But Emery isn’t here.
One floor down. Two to go.
The second floor gives us less trouble than the first. We find a staircase that connects the three of them and manage to enter unnoticed. Eli must have his best men closest to him because these guys don’t cause much trouble.
We clear the second floor, but Emery is still nowhere to be found.
Havoc motions back toward the staircase, and the rest of us follow. My heart is hammering in my throat as we reach the final step.
Unlike the other two floors, there’s no one in the main space as we enter. For a moment, I think we might be too late. He might have taken her somewhere else. Until muffled voices come from one of the rooms, pulling us in that direction.
Havoc takes the lead, clearing every corner until he reaches the cracked door. He holds up a hand with four fingers, indicating there are four men with guns. He looks to the other side, and then he glances at me, giving me a single nod.
She’s in there.
It takes every bit of self-restraint to hold myself back, but I can’t risk them turning their gunfire on her, so I wait until Havoc waves us for the next wave of our attack. Legacy goes in first because he has the best shot. He aims through the door, taking two down before we even enter. When the others turn their guns our way, we shove through. Havoc takes down one. Venom another.
