Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“Third?”
“There were two in quick succession planned and then I have ten minutes to get out. It’s been at least three, four minutes. I saw you–”
“Leo’s in my hands already so there will be no blowback for you not grabbing my wife. Get the fuck outta here.”
I didn’t let the gun go but lowered it a little and watched him. I was good at the quick draw. I hated lowering the gun, putting her at any risk whatsoever but we were at a stalemate. The guy looked freaked. He was not a pro and he was flipped out. His plan had obviously gone south if he’d grabbed her in the bathroom before a bomb blocked his way out with her. The supply closet had no windows. If I recalled correctly, there was a set of restrooms on the other side of this large c-shaped bar and that side probably had a fire exit.
“Shit is south. Everything is fucked!”
“Help me out and I’ll take care of you,” I assured him. I looked him right in the eye. “Give it all to me, I’ll take care of you. Leo’s in my guy’s hands so you’re good. I get that it’s just a job. Turn this thing around now, man; this is your only chance.”
The guy looked at me a beat and then looked visibly relieved, “Didn’t know about this bathroom. There’s a fuckin’ exit beside that other one on the other side of the bar. Someone fucked up. Figured she’d go there. Eyes were on her. As soon as she went to the ladies room, bitches always do that, head to it in groups. She goes, Leo leaves. Bomb one. Then bomb two blocking the door into that bar so first responders have trouble getting in and maybe it takes out you and his other enemies. Bomb three happens ten minutes after, giving me that ten to get her out and to Leo before number three. If I can’t get her out, I’m to bail before ten minutes. But she’s on the wrong side and this closet wasn’t a fuckin’ exit!”
“Any mention of my sister?”
“Your sister. No. Was that the rangy chick in the bathroom with her?”
“Let’s find our way out of here. Who’s detonating bomb three and from where?”
“I dunno; only know we’re runnin’ outta time!”
“Let’s go, man.” I waved toward the door and reached for Tia’s hand. He’d had his arm hooked around her neck. He instantly let go of her and she grabbed me and we went to move out. I turned around and shot the fucker in the face. Tia screamed as he dropped.
“Shh.” I pulled her with me back out into the alcove.
My eyes were still fucking burning a little, but it was dissipating. I heard sirens moving in. I called Nino. He answered on the first ring.
“T! Fuck man.”
I heard sirens even louder in the background. Good.
“Nino, third bomb happening in less than five minutes. Maybe much less. Don’t know from where.”
“Fuck. I’ll tell the fire department.”
I was at Dex and my sister. Two guys were pulling the boards off Dex and he was now free. But he wasn’t moving.
People were moving a little. Some, anyway. I didn’t know where this bomb was detonating from or how bad this was gonna be. I needed to get us the fuck out. I saw we were clear to get behind the bar. There was shit on the floor. Broken bottles and glasses, light fixtures dangling, two people lying on the ground looking dead or unconscious but there was still space to get around them. A couple people had their phones on and the space was illuminated a bit.
“That way; there’s a fire exit by the bathrooms on the other side of this bar.” I hoped that was right.
Dex was in rough shape, but I hauled him over my shoulders, fireman-hold style.
“Athena, hold the back of my jacket. Don’t let go. Contessa, hold Tia’s hand.”
Tia was bawling and rubbing her eyes but she followed my directions and grabbed my jacket and my sister’s hand and I moved through the area behind the bar at the same time as firefighters moved in through the area over at that emergency exit, their helmet lights illuminating the space even more. The place was a fucking mess and there were definitely casualties above and beyond the fucker I’d shot.
I called behind me, “Everyone who can move, move out this door.” I called to the two firefighters, “A guy over there told me there’s a third explosion happening, and it could be any minute, ten minutes after the second explosion.”
The firefighter’s back straightened and his eyes went wide. And then with Dex over my shoulder, Tia and Tess at my back, we moved outdoors.
Paramedics moved to us immediately, pushing a gurney. Someone helped me get Dex onto it. He was now unconscious. Nino moved to me.