Siege (As the World Dies #3)(41)

“It’s bad luck,” Linda added. “Oh, sorry.” Dale looked sheepish despite his huge size.



Bill pulled his belt up over his stomach and looked grim. “We go in. We get the stuff. We come out. Alive.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Felix said as he fell in beside Lenore. Feeling shy after Ken’s declaration about Felix’s intentions, Lenore cautiously stole a look at him. Felix flashed a big smile and lightly took her hand in his. Giving it a soft squeeze, he seemed amused by her startled expression. Since she was not very good at the whole flirting thing, she ended up scowling at him, which elicited an even bigger grin.



“So, it’s zombie killing time,” Dale declared, stretching, his huge muscles flexing under his t-shirt.

“Yep. Better zip up your jacket and pull on your gloves.” Bill motioned to Dale’s exposed chest. “T-shirt ain’t protection.” Lenore made sure her thick wool scarf was tight around her neck and yanked on the thick leather gloves that would allow her the flexibility to fire her crossbow. All of them were in zipped up leather jackets, jeans, and heavy shoes. Leather gloves protected their hands and anyone with long hair had it braided and pinned up on their heads.



“We should use motorcycle helmets,” Ken pouted. “They’d limit our hearing,” Bill answered.



“And they get ya from behind easier. I’ve seen it,” Dale added.

They had yet to come up with an effective way to protect their faces and necks, though a few people back at the fort were working on some ideas. Lenore finished messing with her clothes and looked up to see that everyone else was ready, too. Jenni looked pale and worried as she stared at the hospital. Linda cocked her shotgun and looked toward Bill, waiting for the word.

“Let’s do it,” Bill said grimly. “Let’s get it done.”





4. Banished

Pain is what brought her to consciousness. Sitting up sharply, she was startled, then pleased to see she was in her bedroom at the mansion. Her face was throbbing and the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth, but she was home.

The f*cking hicks had finally seen the light and sent her home.

The last thing she remembered was Charlotte, that fat nurse, coming in to tell her that she was going to give her a shot for the pain. Blanche never should have believed her, for almost immediately she had felt herself slipping away into darkness.

But now she was home, so she supposed she could overlook that fat bitch’s deceit.

Blanche rolled off the bed and set her feet down on the velvety softness of her Persian rug. It took some work standing up without feeling nauseous, but slowly she regained her sense of balance and moved into the bathroom. The sun was going down and she was annoyed to see that the generator was off. The lights were dead. She caught her reflection in the mirror and felt a fresh surge of fury well up in her. She had paid good money for her nose job, veneers, and cheek implants. Hopefully once the swelling went down, she would be able to see the full extent of the damage. There had to be a good plastic surgeon out there somewhere still alive and serving her kind. In fact, she was sure the rich and famous were somewhere safe. She had told Stephen they should try to head out on the road to find the enclave of the rich. She was sure it was Malibu. But no, her stupid husband had dragged her out to the godforsaken town he had sunk so much money into in a ridiculous effort to revive it.

Finding a box of wet wipes, she took off her clothes and tried to clean off her body to the best of her ability. She slipped on a silk robe and opened her bedroom door. The house was very quiet and she moved slowly through the hallway to the grand staircase.

She hadn’t even considered if she was alone or not, but now she was curious. The stupid hicks had brought her home, but she wasn’t sure what it meant. Reaching the main floor, she saw that the doors to the dining room were open. There were boxes on the table and what looked like a piece of paper taped to one of them.

Curious, she moved closer and saw that it was a note. Then, slowly, she realized the boxes must be all the supplies Shane and his men had been stockpiling. Looking into one, she saw that it was empty. Frowning, she grabbed the note.

“Thanks for the food, thanks for the liquor, thanks for the sex. If you ever make it back here, know that I took the stuff to survive. Good luck, babe. You’re going to need it. By the way, you’re a f*cking bitch. Ray.”



Blanche growled in anger and grabbed the nearest box. It had been full of fine champagne at one time.

All the boxes were empty of all the fine things she had paid Shane good money to collect. Moving into the kitchen she saw one can of chili sitting out. Another note was left on it. Grabbing the note she saw her gun under it. Confused, she read the note.



“Here is dinner. Here is your gun. Hope you enjoy both.―Curtis.” Curtis must have dropped her off here.

“Dammit.”

She was furious now. Picking up the can of chili, she hurled it across the kitchen and watched it shatter the lead glass of her china cabinet.

Turning on her heal, she stalked to Stephen’s office. She would just have to get money out of the safe and take Stephen’s car. It shouldn’t be too hard to find another dumb ass to do her will.



When she opened the door, she blinked then swore furiously. The safe was open and empty. Dammit! Shane had said that Ray had once been in prison and would do as she wanted if she paid him. Now she had a good idea what Ray had been in prison for. Stomping to the back hallway, she headed for the garage. She had a horrible fear that Ray had taken Stephen’s Mercedes, but she had to be sure. When she opened the door and found the garage empty, she screamed with frustration.