“We’ll get you one when this is over,” Callum promised as they stepped into the elevator.
She stood between Ryan and her boss, letting them protect her by their presence when it really wasn’t needed. Letting them do it now, because she knew it would be unlikely they’d be able to do it later.
“Can mine be pink?” she asked her boss.
“It can have glitter and bows if you get your backside out of this in one piece.” His words were a growl.
“You’re on.” Megan tugged Dimitri’s jacket tight around her and followed the men out into the early morning darkness.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The final destination was texted to them when they hit Norwood Junction in South London. It was an abandoned school, slated for demolition. At only five minutes’ drive from their location, the building was wedged between a recreation reserve and an empty industrial estate. It was an isolated area, away from residential streets and with plenty of access points. A warren of buildings was interspersed with wide open spaces that were easy to monitor. The perfect meeting ground.
The one storey, square 1970s construct was cordoned off with tall wire barriers emblazoned with large red letters: DANGER. Behind the barriers the school was lit up with floodlights.
Ryan scowled at the lights. “They’ll see us coming a mile off.”
“I don’t see any other cars.” Callum stared at the building. “Those lights are blinding us. I can’t see if there’s anyone on the roof.”
“I’d put someone on the roof.” Ryan pulled the car up at an angle to the front of the building.
“Aye. So would I.”
It wasn’t reassuring to hear Callum’s agreement. She looked at the men in their armour plated vests. “I really wish I had a tactical vest.”
“Babe,” Ryan said. “If there’s a sniper up there, he’ll aim for your head. A vest wouldn’t be much use.”
Megan’s eyes shot to his and saw his grin. She burst out laughing. So what if it was a touch hysterical. It helped. She gave his arm a quick squeeze in thanks and he winked at her.
Callum’s phone buzzed. “It’s Elle. She’s got a floor plan of the school.” He stared at the screen. “There’s a main corridor from that door. It goes to a central atrium then shoots off into two other corridors that circle the school. There are fourteen exits.” His jaw clenched. “He could be stationed at any one of them.”
His phone buzzed again. “Durand.” He spat the word. “He knows we’re here. He wants you to walk in the front door. He’ll have Katrina walk out.”
Megan concentrated on her manicure to stop from passing out. The pink polish was chipped. Spa day. That’s what she needed. A spa day with her sister and the rest of her gang. Claire already got on well with Julia and she’d love Elle. Hell, she’d even invite Rachel along, so long as she promised not to fight with Harry’s wife Magenta. Yeah, she needed a spa day.
A hand on her shoulder. “You ready?”
“Yep.” This was it. As r
eady as she would ever get.
“We’ll get you out.” The firm line of Callum’s jaw betrayed the depth of his resolve.
“I know.” She took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”
They climbed out of the car. The men drew their sidearms. Together they headed towards the double doors at the front of the building. Megan kept her eyes glued to the doors as Callum and Ryan scanned their surroundings, ready to react to the slightest threat.
They made it to the entrance without incident. Megan clutched the metal handle that was worn and scratched from years of use. Through the glass panes she could see that the lights from outside had bled into the building. A figure stepped out at the other end of the corridor. Then two. Three.
In the dim light Megan could make out a woman between two men, but nothing else.
This was it. No going back—even if she wanted to. She thought she’d be more nervous, maybe even physically sick. Instead all she felt was a strange sense of calm. Of rightness.
“Tell Claire to name the baby Megan. And tell Dimitri…” She shook her head as her throat tightened. “Tell him, I kept my promise. He doesn’t have to choose.”
The men were silent. She looked up into Callum’s dark eyes. There was nothing else to say. Nothing that his body language and eyes weren’t already shouting at her. She knew any of the men would run into this situation in her place. She knew they hated letting her go. She knew they would do everything possible to stop Durand from taking her from this building. She also knew that if he did manage to take her, they’d raise hell to find her and get her home.
Megan went up on tiptoe and kissed Callum’s cheek. “It’s okay. I can do this.”