The Payback (Team Zulu 2)

40

Brandon

Ididn’thavetimeto reprogram Dante’s security system and disengage the panic setting. Even if I held a gun to his head, Dante didn’t have the ability to override an emergency shut-in procedure.

With the alarm blaring, the mercenaries from the perimeter would return soon. I had to find a way back to Sage. With her insecurities, she’d be freaking out. If the guards found her while I was stuck in here, I’d never forgive myself for letting her down.

“Get inside the vault. Now!” I yelled.

Governor Drummond, the spineless oxygen thief, didn’t hesitate to do as he was told. Slumped against the wall, Dante smirked as though he had the upper hand. He might’ve complicated things, but I wasn’t giving up yet.

When he didn’t move, I grabbed him by the shoulders and hauled him up, digging both thumbs into his bullet wounds. He cried out, and more blood seeped from the injuries. Not in the mood for his bullshit, I shoved him toward the vault opening and felt an amused satisfaction when his foot caught on the doorway and he stumbled through it.

Had Sage received my text telling her to run? I sure as hell hoped so because there was only one way out of this concrete-lined room, and I needed her as far away as possible.

I pulled a pack of C-4 and a fuse from my pocket. This wasn’t what I’d intended to use the plastic explosive for, but I was shit out of options. The steel door was too thick to blast through, so I stuck the explosive to the concrete surrounding it. I tucked the hard drive in my pocket and unwound the fuse, giving me enough length to take cover inside the steel walls of the vault.

The governor sat pale faced against a shelf filled with slabs of cash. Dante sat slumped against the opposite wall. The soon-to-be ex–Mob boss sent me a pissy look and tried to stand but fell back on his ass.

I triggered the fuse and blocked my ears.

Boom!

The shock wave blasted through me. Chunks of debris whipped my skin. The foundations of the mansion rattled from the massive explosion.

The lights flickered, then went out. Someone inside the vault wept. Pretty sure it was the governor.

I used my cell phone to illuminate the space, then wasted no time climbing through the door and locking it behind me. I hoped those two enjoyed the next twenty-four hours with nothing but each other’s company and figuring out where to shit and piss in the dark.

The metal door lay flat on the floor, leaving a gaping hole in the wall where it had been. Dust filled the gallery. Using my sleeve, I covered my mouth with one arm and held my cell phone’s flashlight with the other.

“Sage!” I called out. No answer. I hoped that meant she’d cleared out before the explosion.

I stepped over debris until I came across a man’s body blocking my path. It was covered with dust and large chunks of rubble.

Wait.Was that…?

Maxim.

My stomach lurched. He must’ve been on his way to help Dante, but what if he’d crossed paths with—

My flashlight caught on something sparkling. Through the cloud of dust, a delicate hand became clear, as did the pear-shaped diamond ring attached to it.

“Sage!” I yelled again, but her hand didn’t move. She was stuck beneath the Russian.

I tore huge lumps of concrete from Maxim’s back, tossing them aside, then dragged his lifeless body off Sage.

Blood. She was covered in it.

Please be alive. I’ve only just found you.

I dropped to my knees beside her and put my ear to her mouth. Warm breaths met my cheek, and relief flooded me.

I ran my hands over her dust-covered face. Her lips were pale, and her skin felt cool. I hauled her into my lap and shook her. “Come on, Sage, baby. Wake up!” I pleaded.

“Why are you yelling at me?” she croaked, then coughed.

I clutched her beautiful face in my hands. “Because you’re a disobedient brat who should’ve run when I told her to.”