39. Soul
Soul
We slip into the building without running into any trouble. As Ghost anticipated, it’s easy to hide from the cameras in the back parking lot, so we’re able to weave through the blind spots on the south side until we reach the back door.
There are only two guards at the service elevator, and we take them out quickly. Then all we have is a long, quiet ride before all hell unleashes.
My gaze shifts to the camera in the corner of the elevator. Ghost has the feed running on a loop, so Eli’s men don’t know we’re coming. But if it stops at any other floors first, we’re fucked.
Emery is so close and so far. The light moves from one number to the next as we ascend the building, and I feel like I’m moving in slow motion.
She’ll be fine. She has to be.
Emery might doubt herself, but she escaped this world once. She’s a fighter, and I know she’ll do everything in her power to fight back.
I’m coming for you.
I take a breath, steadying myself as my gun hangs heavy in my grip. Until the elevator dings at the final floor, and my heart races. We went over this plan ten times on the ride here. Everyone has their roles memorized.
The moment the doors slide open, we move in unison, not hesitating for a second.
Going into battle with the club is as much about guns and manpower as it is trust. I know they have my back, and they know I have theirs. We don’t look over our shoulders or second-guess.
We move forward and take out everything in our wake.
Legacy takes out three of Eli’s men before the others notice we’ve stepped out of the elevator. Our silencers are the only thing keeping us a step ahead, but once they turn and begin shooting, all bets are off.
We quickly work our way through the rooms, clearing the floor. But Emery isn’t here.
One floor down. Two to go.
The second floor gives us less trouble than the first. We find a staircase that connects the three of them and manage to enter unnoticed. Eli must have his best men closest to him because these guys don’t cause much trouble.
We clear the second floor, but Emery is still nowhere to be found.
Havoc motions back toward the staircase, and the rest of us follow. My heart is hammering in my throat as we reach the final step.
Unlike the other two floors, there’s no one in the main space as we enter. For a moment, I think we might be too late. He might have taken her somewhere else. Until muffled voices come from one of the rooms, pulling us in that direction.
Havoc takes the lead, clearing every corner until he reaches the cracked door. He holds up a hand with four fingers, indicating there are four men with guns. He looks to the other side, and then he glances at me, giving me a single nod.
She’s in there.
It takes every bit of self-restraint to hold myself back, but I can’t risk them turning their gunfire on her, so I wait until Havoc waves us for the next wave of our attack.
Legacy goes in first because he has the best shot.
He aims through the door, taking two down before we even enter.
When the others turn their guns our way, we shove through. Havoc takes down one. Venom another.
I don’t bother with the shooters because my focus is on Emery.
As Havoc warned, she’s on the other end of the room, and when our eyes connect, I swear my soul leaves my body. Tears paint a sheen over her beautiful blue eyes. They’re red and puffy from crying. I want to resurrect these men just so I can murder them all over again.
Emery is standing behind Eli, holding a bloody blade to his throat. The skin around her wrists is torn and bleeding, where she must have ripped her hands free. I’m angry but also so damn proud of her.
Legacy, Havoc, and Venom keep their guns trained on Eli as I lower mine, taking a step forward.
“Hayes.” My name on Emery’s lips releases all the tension in my chest.
Her shoulders relax, even as the blade continues to dig into Eli’s neck.
“You’re here.” A soft smile curls in the corner of her mouth, but it’s sad.
“Of course I’m here.” I take a step forward. “I promised I’d always protect you. Although it seems you’re doing just fine on your own.”
Pride swells as her smile widens. She spent her entire life being controlled, and all I’ve wanted to do is set her free from that. To make her feel like she can embrace that wild side I met on New Year’s. She’s the strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
A beacon of light in this bloodbath.
I take another step, and Emery glances down at Eli. Her expression shifts like she realizes what she’s doing.
“I—” She shakes her head, not pulling back. “I killed someone. I killed—”
Her gaze moves to a door at the other side of the room as her voice shakes, and she starts to come down from the adrenaline.
“Look at me,” I tell her. “Just me.”
Her gaze snaps to mine, and she loosens the blade against Eli’s throat ever so slightly.
“You did what needed to be done. You protected yourself. I’m so fucking proud of you right now, freckles. Don’t doubt yourself for a second.” I glance from her to Eli. “This is yours to finish if you want it. But I’m here for you either way. Tell me what you need.”
Emery sighs, hesitating for a moment as she takes in the scene.
Bodies at our feet.
A knife in her hands.
She shivers, lowering the blade and taking a step back.
“I don’t want to kill anyone else.” Her gaze fixes on mine.
Eli sighs, like he thinks this might be done. As if there’s any chance. He’s not walking out of here; it’s just a matter of how this will get done.
Emery holds out the knife, making that decision. “Please do it for me.”
Without so much as hesitating, I close the distance between us and take the knife from her hand.
I’d like to spend hours shaving Eli’s skin off his body inch by inch.
Instead, I do exactly as my wife asked. I grab his hair and tilt his head back, bringing the knife to his neck and meeting his eyes as I drag the blade across his throat.
He gurgles, his eyes going hazy, bleeding out in a matter of seconds.
When I turn back to Emery, she’s staring at Eli’s lifeless body. But it isn’t fear in her eyes. It’s relief.
Emery throws herself against me. Her arms wrap my neck as I pick her up. She hugs me with her entire body—her whole being.
“You found me.” She shakes, sobbing and laughing all at once.
“Of course I did.”
“Charlie—”
“Is safe. She’s back at the clubhouse with Tempe.”
Emery pulls back, looking at me. “You’re here, Hayes. How is that possible? Tanner said there was no way you’d get out. Eli told me he made sure of it. How did this happen?”
My teeth clench as I admit the truth. “Your uncle pulled some strings. He needed our help getting you back, so he bargained for our assistance.”
“No.” All air leaves Emery’s chest. “He doesn’t do favors. He’ll expect something in return.”
Fear widens her eyes, but I set her on her feet, brushing her hair back in reassurance.
“He’s not going to get it, freckles. He’s not getting anything from us,” I promise. “We’re ending this for good. Steel’s putting ideas together now.”
“Ideas to take him down?” Her eyebrows pinch, and I nod.
“He’s working on it as we speak.”
Emery bites her lower lip, glancing at Eli’s lifeless body behind me. “I think I have an idea.”