“Alright. You all know what you need to do. Let's do this,” Lucian calls out and everyone scatters.
Before I can move, Lucian grabs my shoulder.
“Please, be careful,” he looks down at me with worry in his eyes, “I can’t handle something happening to you again.”
“I promise I'll be good and use my gun. No hand-to-hand.” I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile.
“I love you, Gracie.” He pulls me into a quick hug.
“I love you too, Dad.” I take this moment with him.
“Be safe, I'll see you after.” He squeezes my arms before turning to go back to be Lucian, the head of the Guild.
The fire blazes in my chest as I get in position with Luca, Kellan and Felix.
“Let me know when all teams are in position and I'll start camera looping. This building is old and run down. I don't want to chance alerting their system until teams are in place.”
“Copy,” Luca says for our team. The other team leaders echo him.
We move, our boots soundless as we move into position.
“In position,” Luca whispers as we crouch down.
We wait as other teams get in position as well, which doesn't take long.
“All teams in position,” Noah relays. “Prepare to move. Looping cameras now.”
We wait for about thirty seconds until Noah gives the all clear. All teams start moving. Felix opens the side door we're positioned at and we slip inside.
We're moving down the side corridor when we hear a shot.
“Cameras are down, shitty old fucking building.” Noah curses.
“We've lost the element of surprise. All teams go!” Lucian barks.
We take off running down the corridor toward the stairs. Luca opens the door and peeks his head in. Someone shoots and Luca pulls back.
“Can you try not to get your head blown off, please?” My heart is racing.
“I will do my best.” Luca chuckles.
Kellan moves to the door, cracking just a sliver.
“I can charge the guy. It's risky, but he's just standing in the open.” Kellan shrugs.
My brain doesn't have time to process before Kellan is whipping open the door and barreling through, knocking the guy back down a flight of stairs. The guy’s shot goes wide and Kellan goes tumbling down the stairs with him. A swift punch and he's out.
“Are you okay?” I rush to the edge of the stairs.
Kellan stands, rolling out his shoulders. “Yeah, I'm fine, might just be a little sore tomorrow.”
These men.
“Let's keep going.” I raise my gun back up as we fall back into position. Luca in front, Kellan and Felix flank me. We move down the flight of stairs. Luca opens the door, Kellan and Felix go in first, clearing the area before we follow.
Our steps are silent on the concrete as the air smells damp and moldy with a hint of iron.
Blood.
