Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A cold venomous rage wraps around me.
They’re not getting Allison. No fucking way.
Masked. Armed. And on a mission, three men stalk toward us. Just over two hundred yards separate us, but we’re exposed.
They could have opened fire already, and our only cover would be the car. A crappy sedan, barely big enough to hide behind.
The fact that they’re not shooting makes my blood ice and my heart roar like a lion.
This isn’t a hit. They want her alive.
Both ends of the alley are blocked. Which means we have to go up or down.
“I’ll take going up over the sewer any day,” Justice backs toward us. “Let's make this fast.”
I don’t care as long as we get her safe. I’d swim in a sewer, climb through a landfill. Climb a building with my bare hands.
"Up you go.” I boost Allison onto a stack of wooden crates. "There's a fire escape above. Grab it."
She scrambles upward like a cat, hospital gown fluttering below the hem of the jacket. Dammit. I should have left her pants on her instead of ditching them in the trash can at the hospital. Fucking rookie move.
Justice and I follow, scrambling quickly up, the sound of more car doors slamming echoing below.
"Move!"
We emerge onto a flat roof just as the first shots ping the building next to us.
They want Justice and me out of the way.
“Over here, get low.” I pull Allison down behind an air vent, scanning the neighboring buildings.
She’s nervous but steady. Quickly braiding her hair and tucking it into the jacket. Smart girl. Less chance of it getting caught or someone grabbing it.
Teeth on edge, I curse that thought. “We’ll go that way.”
The aerial views on Google Earth float back into my mind. A week laying around in the hospital getting IV antibiotics was lifesaving then, but who knew it might save us now.
“Most of the roofs are connected.”
"There." Justice points to a rusty water tower two roofs over. "We can cross that roof behind that low wall. We should be out of sight."
Allison's eyes go wide. "You're joking. Do we have to jump? Because I’m not a jumper, my legs are long, but I’m a scaredy cat.”
"Not jumping." I check my weapon, grateful somehow I’ve managed to keep it all this time, even after nearly drowning in the river. "We can just climb down to that next roof. It shouldn’t be far."
More gunfire peppers the edge of the building.
Allison flinches against me, but her voice is steady. "You sure about this?"
"Trust me." I cup her face, meeting those beautiful eyes. "I won't let you fall."
“Too late, frog man.”
There’s no time to process that. We’re moving.
Justice thumps out a few rounds as cover fire as I help Allison to her feet. “Stay low. Remember how we ran that first time?”
“God. I can’t believe this.” But she complies without hesitation, her tall form crouching lower than ever. The thin edge of the hospital gown hugging her pale thighs.
"Justice, you good?"
He nods, a grin on his face. "Go with your girl. I'll be right behind you."
Halfway across the roof, a bullet whizzes past my ear.
Fuck. Where did that come from?
"Almost there," I grunt, muscles burning from running in a crouch. The next rooftop is only feet away. “Jump down as soon as you can.”
“Jump?”
She goes without hesitation.
I drop onto the roof next to her, grabbing her hand. A small wall offers us good cover this time.
"Now what?" Allison pants, tugging the gown down.
Justice appears, his eyes full of his SEAL-bred excitement.
“We cross this roof. See the water tower and beyond that...the cathedral? We’ll go to ground there."
Justice nods in understanding. "Underground, I bet. As in tunnels."
"Exactly." I check Allison's face for fear but find only determination. "We don’t have far to go, sweetheart."
She gives me a fierce grin. "I’m holding you to that. Lead the way, Tarzan."
God, I love this woman.
The cathedral's bell tower rises against the darkening sky, our salvation if we can reach it. But first we have to cross one more gap after the protective wall ends.
"Different approach this time," I tell Allison, eyeing the distance. "See that construction scaffolding?"
She nods, clutching the hospital gown closed as another gust of wind threatens to expose her. "Please tell me we're not?—"
"We are." I pull her close, speaking low and fast. "It's good cover. They won't expect it."
Justice checks his magazine. "I'm running low. Make it count."
Shouts grow closer. They could be on the roof or in the building now, heading up.
"Okay, change of plans." I tug Allison close.
She lets out a little gasp when I kiss her hard and fast.
"Justice, take her across the scaffolding. I'll create a diversion."
"No!" Allison grabs my arm. "We stay together."
"Baby, trust me. I'll meet you in the tunnels." I cup her face, memorizing every detail in a fraction of second. "Justice won't let anything happen to you."
"But—"
"Time's up!" Justice yanks her back as soon as the roof access door bursts open.
I open fire, forcing our pursuers to take cover. "Go! Now!"
Justice half-carries Allison to the scaffolding as I provide cover.
My heart clenches watching them start across, but I force myself to focus on the threat.
She’s safe. Justice is a fucking badass.
I duck behind an air vent as bullets pepper my position. Through the chaos, I track Allison's progress.
Halfway there. Almost done.
Time to make my exit memorable.
I pull the flashbang grenade from my cargo pocket—one of the prizes I snatched out of the truck—and wait for the perfect moment.
"Looking for me, boys?" Raising up enough to draw their angry glares, I toss it. "Catch!"
The flashbang arcs through the air as I sprint across the flat tar roof.
Three… Two…
There’s a thunderous crack. Shouts of pain and confusion follow.
I don’t look back as I sprint full-tilt toward the edge of the roof.