Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
I took in as much as I could and then quickly pulled back. “They are a good twenty feet away from the exit. They are leaning against the wall and pointing our way. But, no cover yet.”
Blue’s phone vibrated. She pulled it out and checked the screen. “It is Valentina.”
“Type in the floor number and tell her that five people are shooting at us in the hallway.” I leaned back out the elevator again, did another quick assessment, and pulled back.
Fuck. How are we going to get him?
I kept my voice low. “One has a MAG machine gun. I think three are holding AK-47s. The fifth one is holding Paolo, but she’s too close up. I don’t us want to accidentally shoot him.”
Blue placed the gun to the side and typed.
Slamming and shouting sounded from the hallway.
I leaned out to see what they were doing.
One kicked at the room’s door next to them. The sound of wood breaking filled the air.
Two others pointed my way.
Paolo struggled in the other woman’s arm. He sobbed.
She shook him and yelled at him in some language.
Leave him alone.
He shrieked.
She shook him again.
Not thinking, I raised my gun to shoot her.
Bullets crashed into the wall next to my head, leaving holes in the metal next to me.
Fast, I pulled back into the elevator.
That was stupid. Calm down.
The slamming ended.
Those bitches must have gotten the door open.
I checked and didn’t see them in the hallway which confirmed that they had successfully broke into the room.
Paolo’s sobs reached me.
My heart broke.
I’m coming for you, baby. I’m coming. I swear on everything.
I just had to figure out how.
Blue’s phone buzzed.
I looked her way. “Valentina?”
“Yes.” Blue read the message. “They’re on the fourth floor and taking both set of stairs down to this floor.”
I let out an exasperated breath. “Perfect.”
Then, my phone rang.
I used my free hand to pull it out. “Yes?”
Kaz’s voice was tense. “Where are you?”
“Third floor. I see Paolo. Black Axe women dressed as maids took him. Valentina and her men are taking the stairs down.”
“Listen to me very carefully, mysh.”
I sighed.
“My sister and you will let our men get him. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
The other elevator dinged by us.
Valentina’s voice came out. “Emily?!”
“Yes! I’m in the other one and fine!” I hung up the phone. “Don’t leave that elevator! Stay there!”
Suddenly, loud laughing came from down the hallway. Dread hit me.
One of the Black Axe women spoke from the room, “Oh my! The Mouse is in the elevator?!”
“Yeah, bitch!” I leaned out a little. “I’m right here.”
Shooting blasted my way.
I ducked back into the elevator. “You missed, weak ass bitch!”
More bullets sprayed.
Good. Get mad and spend all those bullets. Did you bring extras?
I pressed my back against the elevator wall and kept my gun close. “Missed again!”
“Put your head out, Mouse!” The woman yelled, “I will not miss this time.”
“Bet you will, stupid bitch!”
With her gun raised, Blue stood and leaned close to the opening, readying herself to shoot.
“Be careful.” I gritted my teeth. “They actually have good aim.”
Valentina yelled out, “The Lion’s sister is on the other elevator! Have you heard of me?”
The woman laughed. “The Mouse and the Lion’s sister? We are very lucky today!”
Another woman chimed in, “Come. Let us see if the rumors are true. They say the Lion’s sister is quite a beauty.”
“It is true!” Valentina shouted. “I am gorgeous!”
“Or!” I yelled. “We can discuss some sort of an exchange!”
Blue turned my way and quirked her brows.
What else could I do, but try to convince them to hand him over?
One of the women called back, “And what do you want, Mouse?”
“Give Paolo back!” I trembled. “And take me!”
To my shock, silence came.
I leaned out.
No bullets sprayed my way.
I didn’t see them either.
Okay. . .
I leaned back in the elevator. "Come on, ladies! Say something!"
Blue’s phone buzzed. She used her free hand to pull it out and check. When she did, she looked up and whispered, “Valentina said that she will not let you go with them.”
“Type back to Valentina and let her know that she doesn’t have a choice in this matter.”
Blue did as I said.
The phone buzzed again.
Blue read it and put the phone up.
I frowned. “What else did she say?”
Blue gave me a sad smile. “She said that you are worth more to Kazimir and her than a traitor’s son.”
I clenched my jaw.
"Do you want me to say anything to her?"
I shook my head. "Valentina has no say in this. If they want me for Paolo, then I'll go. You take him and bring him up to the helicopter—"
"I cannot do that."
"Blue." I scowled at her. "That wasn't a question, statement, or suggestion. It was a clear order."
Chapter 19
A Lion’s Roar
Emily
Minutes of silence passed. The women must have been going back and forth in the room, contemplating what to do next. Perhaps, they even called Fela to see what he would want.