Ramsey Security (Ramsey Security #1-3)(59)

Instinctually, I look up at the ceiling and imagine us on the roof. "What then?"

"We kill them."

"What if there are too many?"

Troy caresses my head. "No worries. Minka took out half of a prison all by herself."

I look at her and then back at him. "What do I do?"

"Move when we say move. Hide when we say hide. Don't panic and don't run unless we tell you to."

My fear is in stark contrast to the vibrant excitement radiating from them. They want to fight, spill blood, and take lives. Troy and Minka are two sides of the same coin. I don't belong in their world. Or in Troy's bed, let alone his heart. Yet he looks at me as if I am the answer to the question he didn't know he asked.





43


~~~

Troy

Trouble Comes Knocking

Just after midnight during the height of the thunderstorm, Locke's minions set off the fire alarm to force everyone into the hallways. The sound startles awake a fully dressed Darla from her spot on the couch. I help her strap on a bulletproof vest and helmet. Her big eyes staring at me, she says nothing while I guide her down the hallway and into her bedroom where the small safe room waits.

"Lock the door and stay in here until I get back."

"I thought we were going to the roof."

"They didn't set a fire, just hit the fire alarm. Rafael and the team are only blocks away. The cops are on the way too. You'll be safe in here."

Darla's face twists up, and I know she's about to cry. I cup her cheeks.

"Trust me, Darla. I need to leave you, but I'll be back."

Swallowing her fear, she nods. I hand her a gun and step back.

"The team knows the code to the safe room. If you hear someone on the intercom claiming to work with us, and they ask for the code or want to come in, don't even answer."

Before I change my mind, I lock Darla into the safe room. I hurry back to the front hall where Minka waits for me.

"Take the stairwell," I say to Minka.

Her expression makes clear she isn't happy with this plan, but she doesn't argue. Splitting up might seem reckless except only six perps are making their way up the stairs. They're not professionals based on how long it takes them to notice the stairwell cameras.

Waiting for the stairwell door to open allows me to think of Darla. I wonder if leaving the gun was a mistake. Darla was half asleep and in a state of panic. I even left the safety on the weapon without reminding her how to switch it off.

I have no time to check on her. The door opens, and the first armed figure enters the dark hallway. I don't fire my gun, not until four perps move towards the apartment door. I pull on my gas mask and wait for Minka to report.

Minka speaks into her headset. "Two are holding back."

"Green light," I whisper.

Tossing the smoke grenade, I wait for one of the f*ckers to open fire. I need this shit to look like self-defense before I unleash on the perps.

One figure fires a shot, allowing me to shoot back at him and the others. He goes down first and then the second * hits the ground.

Reloading, I hide around the corner while they return fire.

"Two perps are making their move," Minka warns.

I hear the stairwell door open followed by Minka's gunfire. Breathing easily in the smoky hallway, I hear the remaining perps coughing in between firing blindly.

"Pushing out," I warn Minka while switching out weapons.

I open fire on the remaining perps who back up towards the stairwell. One of them hits the elevator button, thinking it might provide a better escape. I take him out with a shot to the chest. The final figure disappears into the stairwell.

"Headcount three," Minka says, shooting the last guy.

"Three here too. Keep steady in your position."

Moving quickly through the smoky hallways, I check each perp. One is dead while the other two are unconscious and barely alive. I yank off their ski masks but don't recognize them. I didn't really think Locke had the balls to show up himself.

Once I separate the bodies from their weapons, I tell Minka the hallway is clear. I'm checking the stairwell when Rafael sends us the message that the cops have arrived.

"We've cleared the surrounding area," he says, sounding almost chipper. "Saskia grabbed a straggler down here. Based on Darla's descriptions, Saskia thinks this bitch might be Mistress Agony."

"Fucking A," Minka says, sounding as happy as Rafael.

"We're taking her back to the office for an interrogation."

Minka joins me in the hallway doorway. We keep an eye on the bodies to ensure no one gets frisky despite their injuries.

"We need to move Darla from this location," Minka says.

I frown. "Take her where, though?"

"With the cops and noise, she can't stay here."

Still on the radio with us, Rafael clears his throat to end our bickering. "I bought a second apartment in my building. It's furnished, and we have a grocery store downstairs. Move her there until we see what Saskia's new buddy tells us."

Before we can take the conversation further, the elevators open and police flow out. Forced to give up our weapons, Minka and I explain the situation several times before the officers settle down. I don't let them know about Darla locked in the safe room. She can't handle these trigger-happy cops banging on the door.