Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(44)

“When all of this is done, I think we should do some traveling,” Dev said as we touched down in the private airfield. “I would like to go on a vacation that doesn’t end in gunplay or me getting stabbed in the gut. Perhaps someplace tropical. Daniel could use a tan.”

Knowing Dev, that meant he would probably buy us an island. It would be worth it to just lie around in a bikini and drink fruity drinks and not worry about who was going to try to kill us next.

Dev helped me up as the door to the plane was being opened. We would depart right on the tarmac, and I could see the limo Dev had ordered already pulling up. I saw the driver from the window. He was a tall, strong-looking man who might be able to double as muscle. He stood beside the limo that waited to take us into the city.

Lee stretched as he woke up. He took a deep breath and then he was on his feet, his eyes wide and his hand going for his gun.

“Close that door!” he yelled at Zack, who was just starting to head out.

“What?” I asked as Dev started to push me down. He wanted me on my knees, safely out of the range of the windows and whatever bullets might pass through them.

“We’re surrounded,” Lee said.

Dev looked out the window, shaking his head. “I only see the driver.”

“There’s at least ten of them,” Lee said as Zack pulled the door closed.

“Shit,” Dev cursed.

I peered over a chair out the window. Sure enough, Lee was right. Two men carrying rifles came out of the limo. Two more flanked the plane, and I watched as three came up from hiding spots in the long grass by the airfield.

“Who the hell sent them?” Neil asked, crouching down beside me.

“Louis.” Tears filled my eyes because I was about to be taken in. How would I keep Marini from killing my wolves? My heart thundered in my chest. He would keep Dev alive, but he would try to kill my wolves. I couldn’t take that. I couldn’t imagine a world without Neil and Lee and Zack. They were my family.

“If you’re referring to the head of the Vampire Council, I assure you he has nothing to do with my Order,” the pilot said, opening the cockpit door. He stood there with a Glock in his hand. “Get that door open,” he ordered Zack. “These bullets are silver. I’m not sure just how many of you they will work on, but I know if you take me out, the others will simply blow up the plane and that should work.”

“What do you want?” Dev asked tightly.

“For starters, we want your kind to stop attempting to bring about the apocalypse,” the pilot said in a crisp British accent he hadn’t had before. “You will not be allowed to wake the wizard.”

“So much for keeping things quiet,” Lee said, crossing his arms defensively.

I heard three thuds against the side of the plane as soldiers slapped C-4 against the side. Guess they were serious about blowing us up.

“I’m going to kill Stewart if I see him again,” Dev promised.

“I’ll help you,” I offered as Dev helped me up.

“My wife is human and has nothing whatsoever to do with this little plot of mine,” Dev lied. “If you would allow her to go, I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. We’re seeking out Merlin for peaceful reasons, I assure you. We can explain everything.”

“I doubt she’s innocent, Mr. Quinn,” the pilot said. “And if you want to live, your explanations had better be excellent. Now get that door open or I’ll give them the signal to blow the plane sky high. Do not doubt my resolve. I joined the Order at sixteen and have devoted my life to our cause. A death in the line of duty is one of my greatest ambitions.”

Dev nodded, and Zack pushed the door open again.

Lee glared at the pilot. “If we’re going to die, I would rather take you with me.”

“I have no intention of killing anyone if you follow orders,” the pilot explained. “We have questions we want answered. We would prefer to talk to you first. We’re not animals. Now move if you want to keep your heads on your bodies.”

Dev squeezed my hand as we passed the pilot. I studied our welcome party. There were ten of them, each with a high-powered rifle in his hands.

Looked like gunplay was definitely on the itinerary for this vacation.





Chapter Twelve





“Hands up, all of you!” a masculine voice shouted as every soldier-of-fortune-looking guy kept us in their sights. Zack went down first.

“Zachary, obey them,” Dev ordered. “Do you understand?”

Zack nodded his old-man head as he walked down the steps to the tarmac with more bounce to his step than a man his “age” should. Neil went next, obediently holding his hands over his head.

“Lee, stay calm,” I ordered my personal guard. He wasn’t known for dealing well with authority.

“I’ll try.” It was so weird to hear Lee’s growl coming out of a lanky teenaged boy.

“Stay close to me,” Dev said, worry in his eyes. I knew what he was thinking. We had hours until Daniel would make it here. He had to wait until dark, when his powers were at their peak, before he would even start the flight. We had to stay alive until Daniel could come for us.

I followed Lee down the steps, wishing I could hold onto the handrail. It was fine for the boys because they were all in comfy sneakers or loafers, but I was in four-inch Ferragamos. Dev followed after me with the pilot and his gun close behind. I looked out over the private airfield. It was completely deserted except for our small party and the group taking us hostage. It could only mean one thing. This group had power and a plan. They had completely isolated us in a place where that would be hard to do.