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But Jace had let Rick down, and he was not letting Corey put his hands on Elijah Cardozo. He thought fast and realized Elijah’s hands were empty. “Where’s your phone?”
Elijah blinked at him. “I don’t know. Downstairs.”
“I’ll get it. You need it to check your sugar.”
Elijah yanked on his shirt. “No.”
“I’ll be right back,” Jace promised. “Close the door and lock it. Don’t open it until I say ‘Midway.’ ” It was the code word Elijah had set with his father before they’d called his aunt.
“Then you take Czar,” Elijah insisted. “Please, Jace.”
They didn’t have time to argue. Jace grabbed Czar’s collar, not relaxing until he heard the lock engage in the safe room. “Stay,” he commanded, hoping the dog obeyed, then pulled the clothes across the closet pole, hiding the door. He first closed the closet door, then the bedroom door, trapping Czar inside, then ran for the stairs just as Val yelled, “Burke!”
Jace froze. Gunfire. One, two, three... He lost count, the bullets came so fast.
He’s here. Corey was here.
Move, you idiot. Move. Do something. But Jace’s feet wouldn’t move. He felt like a bug trapped in a spider’s web. Paralyzed.
And then he heard it. Corey’s voice. “Fucking hell. Drag her to the van. Hurry.”
Val. Jace looked around frantically. Need a weapon. He ran into Mr.Cardozo’s room, hoping to find something to save Val. To save Elijah.
But footsteps thundered up the stairs and the door to Elijah’s room was thrown open. “Where the fuck is he?” Corey screamed.
Elijah. Corey had come for Elijah.
Czar was growling and snarling. Corey would kill the dog. And then he’d get to Elijah.
He’s safe. Locked in the safe room.
But Corey would find a way. Corey always got what he wanted. His brother could blow things up. He’d blown up his own camp. He could blow open the safe room.
Elijah would be killed.
“No,” Jace whispered, then grabbed the lamp from Mr.Cardozo’s nightstand and ran for Elijah’s room. Corey was aiming his gun at Czar. Jace didn’t stop to think.
“Get away!” Jace shouted as he swung the lamp, but Corey had seen movement in Elijah’s dresser mirror and ducked at the last minute.
Corey screamed when Czar sank his teeth into his arm—there was already a bandage there. From where Val had shot him. Jace felt satisfaction deep down. You go, Val.
Corey aimed his gun at Czar again, but Jace threw himself against his brother as he pulled the trigger and the shot hit the ceiling, showering them with plaster. Czar let Corey’s arm go, but stood over him, growling, teeth bared. Jace yanked Corey from the room and slammed the door, once again closing Czar in Elijah’s room.
For a moment Corey stared at Jace, his mouth open. Then color flooded his face. “You sonofabitch,” Corey hissed. “You’ve been here all this time? Where’s the kid?”
“Not here,” Jace lied. He backed toward the stairs. Get him away from Elijah.
“Motherfucker! Where is he?” Corey’s nostrils flared, his eyes blazing and his lips curving coldly like they did before he’d beat them. But this time Corey aimed his gun at Jace’s chest and pulled the trigger again.
Pain instantly burned from the inside out and Jace fell backward.
Mid-City, New Orleans, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 10:32 A.M.
Val stared in horror as Jace tumbled down the stairs, landing at her feet. A crimson stain was spreading across his T-shirt. No.
Bobby rolled to his feet, holding his arm, gaping at Jace. “He was here?”
