He holds out a clear ear-piece. I take it, placing it into my left ear. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a silver watch and clasps it on my wrist.
"You got the
other half?" I ask, adjusting the ear-piece.
"Yes," he says waving a walkie-talkie in front of me.
I nod, opening the door again. Sliding into the hallway, my eyes sweep up and down the corridor. I take a step forward just as someone steps into my line of sight. I raise the gun in my left hand and fire one shot, darting into Sammi's office.
“Boa," I whisper harshly into the room.
"Over here, Lily, behind the desk."
"What the fuck are you doing?" I hiss, running over and kneeling down next to her.
"Had to back up our files and wipe the computers."
"I'm yelling at you later for this. Let's go."
We move to the door, staying low. I peek down the hall and make out at least two people standing in the great room. I hold up two fingers, jutting my chin in their directions. She nods and pulls her gun from its hip holster.
I move into the middle of the hallway and raise my guns. Firing toward the great room, Sammi darts behind me, opening the office door. As our attackers return fire, she grabs my arm and hauls me into the room, slamming the door shut.
"Sammi, stay here. Vlad with me," I say, reloading.
"How many are there?" Vlad asks.
"No idea. I shot one on the way to Sammi's office. Not sure if I hit any coming back over."
"What's the plan?"
"You and I need to get to the kitchen. I need to get something to clean Dresden up before we can move him."
"Why don't we just go kill them, that way we don't have to move him?"
My eyes meet Vlad's murderous gaze. It's not a bad idea. We've done sweeps before. We know the layout of Blake's apartment well enough. I run my hands through my hair and glance at Blake.
"Blake," I say, turning toward him.
"What?" he snaps.
He isn't happy about the thought of us going into a fight, and I don't blame him. I'd prefer if Dresden could shoot, but Vlad and I are deadly enough. The Taurus has skilled killers, but something tells me they didn't send their best in this time.
"What do you want us to do?"
"You're asking my permission to go kill people?" His voice is soaked with disbelief.
I walk over and kneel in front of him. All eyes are on us and it makes me nervous. I've never asked for someone's permission before.
"Blake . . . I love you. I need to know you're okay with what I'm doing. Yes, I'm asking your permission."
His eyes soften. "What's the alternative?"
"To try and sneak everyone down the fire escape to the emergency vehicles. If we do that though, I can't guarantee anyone's safety."
His brows come together and even in the midst of chaos, the muscles in my stomach clench at his beauty.
"Kill 'em." His eyes meet mine.