Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Delgado was reaching inside when Shep pressed the button on the detonator, triggering the device. The gas was invisible and had no scent, so none of them knew what was coming until Jenna’s camera started to sway. Seconds later, she collapsed to the ground, and Delgado gasped, “What the fuck...”
Before he could finish his sentence, he was on the ground next to her. When the other guards quickly started dropping, I ordered, “Let’s move.”
We all got out of the truck. Prez and Creed led their group up the back while me, Ghost, and Rusty started toward the front. Just as we started our approach, Seven took out the two men standing guard, giving us full access to the door. With weapons drawn, we opened the door and charged inside. It was eerily quiet as we started down the long, narrow hall.
Ghost and I were just about to round the corner when the place erupted in gunfire.
He, Rusty, and I scattered, each of us ducking for cover, but I was a bit too slow.
I’d just stepped into a doorway when I felt a searing pain rip through my side. A bullet found its mark and sliced through my side, sending me crashing into the wall. I was stuck in a momentary haze of piercing pain, but it wasn’t enough to stop me from getting to Jenna. I pushed through, and when I spotted the guy who’d shot me, I aimed my gun at his head and squeezed the trigger, sending a bullet right between his eyes.
Prez and Creed had made their way in through the back, and more shots rang out. And more fell dead.
In a matter of seconds, silence fell on us once again. I held up my hand, signaling for the others to wait while I went to check things out. With the barrel of my gun aimed straight ahead, I continued to the foyer where Jenna had met with Delgado.
There were four guards sprawled out on the floor, and they were so out of it they were practically drooling. I shot one in the head, and then the next and the next. It felt like I was giving them the easy way out, but I didn’t want to take a chance on them waking up.
Once I was certain they’d all been dealt with, I called out to the others, “We’re clear!”
When I spotted Jenna, I rushed over to make sure that she was okay. She was out, just like the others, but she was okay. Prez and the others had started to file into the room. Ghost came over, and with concern in his eyes, he asked, “She okay?”
“Yeah, she will be.” I stood as I ordered, “Get Delgado to the clubhouse and take him to one of my rooms.”
“You got it, brother.”
I didn’t want to leave Jenna. But I’d made a promise and Jenna would expect me to keep it. Besides, I knew they would keep an eye on her, so I started up the staircase leading to Delgado's office.
I had no idea what I would find when I reached the top.
I prayed that Luna was okay, and for Delgado’s sake, I hoped he hadn’t hurt her. But I wouldn’t know for certain until I laid eyes on her. With a deep breath, I pushed open the door, and a wave of relief washed over me when I spotted Luna balled up on the sofa. She was sleeping soundly and looked to be okay.
My chest swelled with emotion as I lifted her into my arms and held her close. I gave her a kiss on the top of her head, and her little eyes fluttered open. With a tiny gasp, she muttered, “Hey.”
“Hey, kiddo.” I gave her a quick once over as I asked, “You okay?”
She nodded, then whispered, “I want Momma.”
“I know you do. She’s here, and I’m gonna take you to her, but I need you to do something for me.”
I sat her down on Delgado’s desk just long enough to take off my cut. I’d all but forgotten about being shot until Luna muttered, “You got another booboo.”
“Shit.” I glanced down at my bloodstained shirt, and I could see through the tear that it was just a bad graze. “I’m okay. Just need a Band-Aid.”
“You said shit.”
“It’s been a day, kid. You’re just gonna have to give me that one.” She nodded, then listened as I said, “I’m gonna take you to your mother. You gotta keep your head down and your eyes closed until I tell you it’s okay. Do you think you could do that for me?”
She nodded, and as soon as I lifted her back in my arms, she closed her eyes and nestled her head between my shoulder and jaw. Damn. The kid was killing me. I held her close against my chest, covered her with my cut, and started my descent back down the stairs. I was about halfway down when I spotted Skid in the center of the foyer with Jenna cradled in his arms.