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The lights immediately came back on. “Sorry. I’ll leave them on.”
I couldn’t help myself and placed a small kiss on his chest where my head was resting. He tightened his hold on me and buried his head in my hair. “I’ll always keep you safe.”
Both my mind and body trusted him enough to give up the fight, and I fell into a dreamless sleep.
24
JUDE
This was almost too easy.The first few guys crumbled to their feet in silence. I didn’t feel remorse or any other emotion when taking out Gladius’s foot soldiers. Milites, as Ariel had called them. They’d wake up with a headache and the knowledge that someone else had bested them.
While I’d voted to slit their throats, my brothers had vetoed the idea and made me tranquilize them instead.
I knew it was easier if they woke up again rather than having to clean up bodies. But nothing would stand in my way to keep Ariel and Lenny safe.
Carnifax and two other princeps were at tonight’s event at the Adler Planetarium. Once we knew the mayor was one of the princeps, it was almost too easy to get the other names. They’d become complacent, thinking they were invincible and nobody would dare move against them.
Dad was attending as a guest, and we’d sent half an army with him to make sure nobody could get to him. We didn’t want to take any chances with three high-ranking members of Gladius in attendance.
Both my brothers were somewhere in here as well. I might have been the best sharpshooter out of the three of us, but Gabriel and Liam could hold their own if it came down to it.
I made my way to the next set of guards with deadly precision.
They always worked in pairs and were outfitted with the best equipment money could buy. But that didn’t stop me.
I shot them both with a tranquilizer dart, then dragged their bodies behind a potted plant.
Checking my suit, I sheathed my gun and straightened my tie.
I entered the event through a side door. The last set of guards was on the other side, and I had to cross the venue to get there. Through the glass, I watched them walk the perimeter, their bodies relaxed.
The area was easy to secure since there was only one way to get in by land, the little peninsula surrounded by water.
I’d come here often as a child and had attended a few events as an adult. The knowledge of the building came in handy now.
A few people tried to talk to me, but I didn’t stop. I was usually in my element at events like this. Loved charming the elite of Chicago. But tonight, I couldn’t even muster up a greeting, just a firm nod in acknowledgment.
The door I was looking for came into view, and I hastened my steps. The security guards outside had stopped for a chat. It meant they weren’t looking inside, and I slipped outside unnoticed. The hard part would be to get rid of them without drawing attention.
I dropped into a crouch, pretending to tie my shoe but really retrieving my gun.
“Hey, you can’t be out here.”
One of them had noticed me, and I stood up, walking out of view of the party. As predicted, they both followed.
“Hey, did you hear me?”
I stopped when I was sure nobody could see us. “Sorry, are you talking to me?”
“Yes, I’m talking to you. Didn’t you hear me?” They reached me, hands on their guns, expressions tight. “You’re not supposed to be out here.”
“Sorry, I just needed fresh air.”
One of the guys tipped his chin to the door I’d come out of. “You better go back in.”
I nodded, a smile on my face. When I passed them, I aimed and took them both out within a few seconds. There weren’t many places to hide them, and I wouldn’t have long before they’d be discovered.
Tapping my earpiece, I made my way back inside. “They’re all out. Get them.”
