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I stop counting the men inside when I hear Niko babbling. They’re both here—my wife and my son. I let out a breath of relief before getting back to work
At the back of the building, there’s no one in sight, so I head to the nearest window to get a clearer picture.
“I don’t know what you want me to say. He isn’t coming.” I hear Ava say, I’m sure she’s buying time. She knows I’d never leave her to fend for herself.
“I doubt that,” Cillian’s voice is snarky and low.
“Boss, there’s an SUV driving in,” a second man announces.
“I thought you said he wasn’t coming.” Cillian laughs a mocking chuckle. “He will suffer just as I have. I’ll force him to watch those he loves most die in front of him while he feels useless.”
When Cillian walks toward the exit, I want to go after him and end this, but this isn’t the time. Not when my family isn’t safe.
Once they’re safe, I’ll kill Cillian.
“Grace, please. You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to do what he says,” Ava pleads the instant Cillian is out of earshot.
“I’m really sorry, Ava. I think you’re nice, but this is about family, and you know better than anyone that family is everything.” As Grace answers, I twist a silencer onto my gun.
Grace, Ava, and Niko are the only people in sight. Cillian is getting too cocky—perfect. I walk to the nearest door. If I’m lucky, it will be unlocked.
The door opens easily. I survey the area. Grace’s back is to me. On instinct, Ava’s eyes land on me. It’s only for a second, but we have a full conversation.
She knows what to do.
“Grace, at least let me hold Niko. It’s obvious there isn’t anywhere for me to go.”
“Dadda,” Niko calls, stealing the element of surprise.
Grace turns to me. I don’t have time to wait. Speeding forward, Ava rips Niko from Grace’s hands. The instant Ava has Niko free of danger, I fire. Grace is killed instantly.
“We have to go,” I order Ava like she is one of my men.
“It’s okay, baby,” Ava tries to soothe Niko while following me to the door I entered only seconds ago. “Tell me you have a plan.”
“Sort of.” I take out my cell and dial Oliver.
“Tell me you have them,” he begs, his tone uneasy.
“I have them,” I tell him.
I hear a shot. Ava and I look back for barely a second before we rush through the back door.
“Oliver, are you there?”
More shots.
“Oliver?”
I get the smallest reprieve when he replies, “Go to the drop-off point. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t.” More gunfire breaks up his reply. “I need to keep them occupied long enough for you to get out. Go. Now!”
“Who is shooting? Is Oliver okay?” Ava asks as I guide her into the shadows.
“Yes. But we have to go. We’ve run out of time.”
