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Any second, I expect some Russian to leap around the corner, gun drawn. At any moment, I fear I might have to watch Killian die before I follow him into the darkness. But the attack never comes. Killian takes the lead, heading straight towards the door in the right wing. He stands to the side, motioning for me to push against the emergency exit barrier while his gun stands at the ready. At his signal, I shove, letting the door fly open just as Killian steps out. There’s no one there, though we can still hear a few scattered gunshots at the opposite side of the building.
“This way.” He takes me towards the street, though it's empty by now. In the distance, we can hear police sirens, but I know they won’t get here in time. And what would Killian tell them anyway? That he was the good guy with the gun?
“We have to see if we can make it back to my car. I don’t think it was damaged too badly in the crash….” He trails off, trying to listen to where the gunshots were coming from. “Sounds like they’re by the front.”
“Wait—car crash?” I stare at him in confusion. “What the hell happened?”
“Later, Cara. We’re a little busy.” He starts to head towards the parking lot. Before we can make it, I see his car tearing around the corner. The front’s bashed a bit, but it’s clearly still able to run.
Niccolo’s at the wheel, though he’s hunched to the side. His eyes go wide as soon as he spots us, the brakes squealing as he comes to an abrupt stop just at the curb. I hear the locks click as Killian wrenches the door open. Cain, Declan, and Archer are hunkered down in the back.
“How the fuck did you get away?” Killian demands, shoving me into the backseat. I’m still clutching the gun, pinning it to my chest. Killian glances at it, prying it from my fingers before sliding into the passenger seat. Cain shuts the door behind me.
“Just waited until you were in the building for a few minutes. Figured that was enough time for you to find Cara. Then we figured we’d need to get away somehow.” Niccolo winces as he yanks the wheel around, turning us towards the street. “I just drove around the lots hoping we’d catch you coming out.”
“That’s some fucking luck you have,” Killian mutters. He pauses, staring at Niccolo. “You’re shot.”
“I’ll be fine. Just let me get us out of this fucking mess,” Niccolo replies tightly. “Hold on.”
The tires squeal, the car lurching forward. I shake in the backseat, too numb to believe we’re actually getting away.
Killian turns around in his seat. “Hold on, Cara. We’re getting you out of here.”
37
KILLIAN
Cara’s wrapped up on Dante and Sienna’s living room couch as I talk with them out in the hall. Dante hadn’t gotten there in time, showing up just as a brigade of police raided the campus. He’d met us back here, calling me on the way to let us know. According to Dante’s sources in the NYPD, the Russians we hadn’t killed had gotten away. We were letting Owen handle the press for right now, filling him in as we drove back to my brother’s house out in Long Island. He’d called to let us know that a few of his men would be meeting me back at my place for backup. For Cara.
“We need to send a team out right away,” Sienna says quietly, glancing towards the living room. “The Russians are probably still scrambling after this failed attempt. It’s as good a time to hit back as any. Dante?”
He slips his car keys from his pocket. “Yeah. I’ll gather a team and head out. Declan, Archer, Cain…come with me.”
“I’m coming too,” I say, squaring off with Dante.
He shoots me a look. “You need to stay with Cara. Make sure she’s alright.”
“Sienna can’t do that?” I shoot back.
Sienna glares. “She’s about to be your wife, Killian. She needsyou. Not me. Besides, I have to help Owen with the fucking press. The Bratva somehow managed to take over an entire building on Columbia’s campus. That’s not going to be easy to play down.”
I growl, knowing she’s right, but all I want to do is go after the bastards who’d done this. They’d tried to take Cara. Again. And I wasn’t about to let that stand. Pacing, I try to figure out a way to let me go with them, but I know it’s useless. Sienna’s got a point—Cara needs me here.
Turning, I catch sight of her on the couch. She’s curled up, the blanket nearly smothering her, but she doesn’t move an inch. Her eyes are locked on the floor, her hands shaking as she holds the blanket to her chest.
“Take her home, Kill.” Dante claps me on the shoulder, giving me a knowing look. “Just—take care of her tonight. That’s an order.”
Gritting my teeth, I turn away. “Fine. But if shit goes south and I’m not there—”
“You can say I told you so,” Dante replies grimly as he steps out the front door. It shuts behind him softly. Sienna gives me one final warning look before heading upstairs to their office.
Sighing, I make my way into the living room. Cara doesn’t even look up. I crouch in front of her, trying to catch her eye, but it’s as if she’s gone too far inside her own head.
“Cara?” She blinks, hazy eyes finding mine. “I’m going to take you back to my apartment, alright?”
Nodding mutely, she allows me to pull her up, leaning on my arm for support. The blanket falls from her shoulders back onto the couch, forgotten. We take it slow as we head out the door, my arm wrapped around her shoulders. Dante’s car is gone, but Niccolo still has mine parked right outside the door. I help her into the backseat, deciding to sit next to her instead of taking the front.
“Take us home, Nic,” I order. Niccolo turns the key, pulling down the drive and out onto the street.
