Chapter 34 Grace
Grace
The thump, thump of helicopter blades is momentarily deafening, but after it flies overhead, I hear shots ring out from inside the house.
I don’t know who’s firing or from where, and I don’t like where my imagination leads.
Are Duke and his brothers winning? Will they drive the Bratva out, or will those evil men be pushed deeper into the house?
Could they be getting closer? And how soon will it take for the Griffins to get to the house?
Assuming the helicopter coming into land is theirs. What if it’s not?
Feeling suddenly trapped, my body thrums with adrenaline, blocking out the pain from my injuries and my common sense. I ease open the closet door. If I can just find out whose helicopter has landed…
The gunfire has stopped for now, but I flip the safety off the Glock just in case. Even after Duke’s demonstration, I’m not confident about using it and I’d rather not be fumbling with the safety catch if I need to protect myself.
Moonlight casts shadows over a room so large it makes the full-size billiard table look small and I hurry towards the windows being blasted with grit from a strong gust of wind.
Hiding behind the drapes, I sneak a look outside and catch a glimpse of flashing taillights as the helicopter touches down on a patch of lawn to the side of the marquee.
Relief floods my veins when I see the image of a griffin on the side.
I’m about to retreat back to the closet when a white ghost drifts past the window. Swallowing back the sob, I swing open one of the French doors. As I poke my head out, I stare down the barrel of a gun.
“Shit, Grace!” Ed hisses. He lowers the gun and puts a hand to where his scalp is matted in blood. “Oh, my poor head. I can’t take surprises like that. Where have you been?”
“It’s a long story, but Duke told me to hide in here.”
Ed tips his head towards the helicopter. “The cavalry’s here so I suggest you go back and hide.”
“Come with me.”
“I can’t,” he says, backing away. “I’ve just seen Danyl creep into the hall.”
My stomach flips. “He could be looking for Duke and the others. It was Vasili who delivered Fitz personally and now he wants to take Katarina back to Russia.” I shudder when I think of what Danyl had said about breaking her.
Ed and I both jolt when there’s a flurry of gunfire close to where the helicopter landed. The Griffins are under attack from a group of Vasili’s men approaching from the cover of the marquee.
“Shit. Looks like we might have to wait for the cavalry,” says Ed.
“In that case, you’re going to need me. No arguments,” I say, stepping out onto the terrace.
Ed glances at my gun. “Do you know how to use that?”
I shrug. “Point and shoot.”
“Can you believe we’re doing this?” he asks as we move off. “I know I said I trained with the Griffins, but if I’m honest, I was just in it for the undivided attention of four veritable gods.” He sighs. “Why are all the good ones taken?”
“You’re asking me?” I could laugh but it would only turn to hysteria.
Ed gives me his sternest look. “Duke is very much yours. Katarina doesn’t count.”
“We have to help save her, Ed.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”