Page 39 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

“LAPD ETA four minutes. Enforcers ETA two.”

“Not good enough,” Cassidy growled.

Free continued without missing a beat. “Grid routing’s been adjusted. I’ve cleared your path through the last five intersections. Keep pushing southbound.”

Over Xander’s struggling breaths, he heard heavy footsteps and objects breaking.

His stomach dropped through his seat.

“We’re out of minutes,” he snarled at Free, before he unmuted Xander.

“Xander, listen to me,” he whispered harshly. “If they find you…you fight them. Fight ’em with everything you got.”

Before he could say another word, a screeching alarm blared in the background.

It wasn’t Xander’s house alarm, but it was very close. Close enough to echo.

Xander’s breath hitched.

“I’ve triggered the neighbor’s security system.” Free said. “Let’s see if I can scare this motherfucker off.”

Cassidy tightened his grip on the wheel.

“I’m almost there, Xander.”

Sirens wailed in the distance, making him sag with relief.

“Stay hidden until the police are inside,” he ordered.

The answering silence damn near killed him, because he had no idea what state Xander was in now.

Was he still hidden, or even conscious?

Silence.

“I think the police are here,” Xander said shakily.

“Okay. Wait until they call for you.”

A pause.

“Where are you?” Xander whispered.

Cassidy was shocked at the emotion sitting like a boulder on his chest.

“I’m coming up your driveway.”

Red and blue lights were painting the modest property in violent flashes by the time he swung into the circular drive.

A black SUV also sat near the entrance.

The Enforcers.

Cassidy threw the Mustang into park without caring about killing the engine and bolted toward the house.

The front door stood partially open.

Officers were moving through the lower level with weapons drawn.