Page 41 of Declan

Chapter 15

My heart was pounding so hard I could feel the pulse in my neck throbbing. When that man turned and ran at Declan I thought I was going to have a stroke. Then it was over and Declan had neutralized the man faster than I knew was possible.

I was drenched in sweat and my hand shook so badly I was surprised I was able to tie his feet and help Declan hide his body.

Now my legs were jelly and I was praying no one noticed. And the closer we got to the door, the sicker I felt. I had a secret, a big one, one I didn’t want any of the guys to know. The reason I worked solo. It would do me no favors if anyone found out. It was a weakness. One I couldn’t afford anyone knowing.

And as afraid I was of the guys finding out, I was still going to be the one who took Madeleine’s life. I had to. Consequences be damned.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, inhaling hot, humid air that made it no easier to breathe. To relax and push aside my anxiety.

Max’s hand landed on my shoulder right before his mouth moved close to my ear. “Easy,” he whispered.

I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but instead, I nodded.

“Piece of cake. Just go easy.”

Yeah, Max had my number. Considering he was right behind me there was no doubt he saw me shaking like an idiot.

I wanted to look over my shoulder and see if Declan noticed, too, but I refrained—just barely—and probably the only reason why was because Brooks had stopped at the door and it was go-time.

Thank God. The faster this was over, the better.

Brooks and Kyle went to the left side of the door. Brooks wasted no time affixing the blasting tape along the hinged side and another horizontal piece across the middle. Kyle stood at the ready to charge the door if it opened. Max had stepped in front of me, staying out of the blast zone. Once Brooks was done, both he and Kyle backed up and I felt Declan’s hand dip into the top of my vest and pull me away.

“Ear pro,” he rumbled when he had me a safe distance away.

Shit.

Nothing like looking like a dumbass. The only thing worse would’ve been the permanent hearing loss.

Brooks’ gloved hand raised and he counted down with his fingers. Each finger that dropped brought us closer to breaching and my heart rate ticked up.

Here we go.

Three…two…one.

The door exploded in, heat and wind whipped around me, the caustic smell from the explosives lingered in the air. But I had no time to contemplate any of this. Brooks and Kyle were already charging the house. Max went next and Declan gave me a shove, propelling me into action.

Two guards came running into the room and fell before they had their rifles up. Chaos was happening all around me, something I wasn’t used to. I went in nice and quiet and did my work. This was the opposite—loud, organized mayhem. Wood splintered, plaster cracked, and no one stopped as we made our way through the first room. Kyle broke off into another large room. Max went for the stairs and I followed.

“Door,” Max announced and waited for me to turn the handle. As soon as it was open, he charged. “Clear.”

The next three were the same.

One door was left at the end of the hall and Max gestured to it. And just like he’d done before, he stepped to the side out of the kill zone and waited. I opened the door. Shots rang out, but Max the crazy fuck didn’t hesitate. He fired and attacked the room. With my heart in my throat, I tailed Max and opened fire. Where the hell was Declan? I vaguely remembered he was clearing the ground floor but he should’ve been done. I pressed the trigger and got nothing.

Fuck.

“Bad feed,” I called out so Max would know my weapon had malfunctioned.

I dropped the magazine out of the AR and fumbled to grab the extra out of my vest.

Hurry up, Autumn.

My fingers closed around the plastic cartridge. I yanked it free and was getting ready to jam it back into my weapon when I felt the slice of the blade.

There was pain, then there was excruciating pain. Having your throat cut fell into the excruciating category.