Page 79 of Grim

“The hell you are!”

“Hold up. I might have an idea.” Shep turned to me and gave me a look, letting me know that he wasn’t going to say anything with me in the room. “Okay. I got it. I’ll go. I said what I had to say. Just, please, think about it.”

I started back down the hall, and I hadn’t gotten far when I heard Lawson call out, “Jenna!”

“I’m sorry.” I turned to face him. “I’m just so worried about Luna, and I just want her back.”

He didn’t respond.

Instead, he charged over to me and brought his hands up to my face, pulling my mouth to his. He kissed me for only a moment, but it was just enough to let me know that he was still on my side and there for me. And that was exactly what I needed.

Grim

I’d dealt with men like Delgado before. I knew the risks. We all did. Going up against a man like him could be catastrophic which was why we were searching for the path of least resistance. Deep down, I knew that path included Jenna, but the mere thought of putting her in harm's way had me tied up in knots. It was all I could do to keep my head in the game when I asked Shep, “So, what’s this idea of yours?”

“I know you weren’t keen on the idea, but we do like Jenna suggested and send her in with the bag. But deep inside it, we hide a device with somnolixir that can be discharged with a detonator.”

“What the fuck is somnon-whatever?”

“It’s a hypnotic that’s similar to what you’d find in basic anesthesia but doesn’t have the risks.”

“So, we’re gonna knock ‘em out?”

“Basically, but it keeps Delgado from having time to warn anyone that he’s under attack, and it keeps him alive for you. But there’s one problem.” Shep grimaced as he continued, “The radial distance of exposure isn’t exactly ideal.”

“In English, brother.”

“Once detonated, the gas will only reach about twenty to twenty-five feet, so it’s only gonna really affect those who are close to it.” Shep must’ve picked up on my unease and added, “But with the cameras, we can wait to detonate until she’s face to face with Delgado. Then, we can ensure that he gets exposed, and that could give us a real advantage.”

“He’s right.” Prez interjected. “We get her inside and let Shep’s contraption take out who it can, and we deal with the rest.”

“But Jenna’s gonna be knocked out right along with them.”

“Yeah, and all things considered, that might be for the best.”

Fuck.

I hated this.

I hated every fucking bit of it.

Luna was already in danger, and soon, Jenna would be, too. Normally, something like this wouldn’t phase me, but Luna and Jenna meant something to me. I didn’t mean for it to happen. But they’d wedged their way in and had me feeling things I no longer thought I could feel. Now, they felt like they were part of me. They were mine.

Both of them—in every way that mattered.

And I would do whatever it took to get them home safe and sound. I thought about everything Shep had said, and while I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of putting Jenna in harm’s way, I figured it was our best option. “If we do this, I want Seven on post and want him aimed and ready to take out the guards at the front and Goose doing the same at the back.”

Seven had earned his name while in the military. He was a sniper and had taken out seven men in seven seconds. At the time, it was the fastest on record, and the skill had come in handy on more than one occasion. He’d taught Goose everything he knew, and while he wasn’t as good as Seven, he was close. Knowing what they could do, Prez nodded and said, “Absolutely.”

“Everyone needs to be sitting on go when she walks through that door.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Prez gave me a look as he asked, “That mean you’re on board with Shep’s plan?”

“I don’t like it, but I think it’s our best option.”

“I agree.” Prez grimaced as he added, “Now, we just need to make sure Jenna’s really up for it.”

I got up, and Prez and Shep followed me down the hall to my room. I opened the door expecting Jenna to be asleep, but she was sitting on the edge of the bed with an eager look in her eye. She sprang up and stepped over to us as she asked, “Well?”

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