Page 89 of August

CHAPTER 27

August advanced through the shadowed backyard, moving from tree to statue until he was close to the house. His gaze locked on an armed guard pacing back and forth near the back door.

It’d be a helluva lot easier to aim and shoot than move in and Tase the guy, but he’d made a deal. He’d fucking keep it.

With his back to a rock fountain, he waited until the guard turned on his heel and strode in the other direction. August moved swiftly. His booted feet brushed soundlessly over the grass. One hand held the Taser, the other a gun.

He wouldn’t be mad if he had no choice but to shoot.

His feet hit the polished concrete patio and the guard turned and started. The guy lifted his gun, but August was too fast. He jammed the device against the guard’s neck, and the guy’s body jolted as electricity coursed through his system. He made a gurgling sound as he went down hard against the cement. August pocketed the Taser quickly and secured the man’s hands behind his back with a zip tie.

“One down,” August said into his earpiece.

“Same here,” Toth echoed.

“I’ve got two. Way ahead of you losers.” Rami’s rough laugh made August roll his eyes. At least they weren’t wasting time.

“Coming around to your side,” Toth announced. Rami stated his intention to do the same, and less than a minute later the three of them stood on the back patio.

Blinds covered the large window next to the door leading inside the house. “There must be an alarm,” August said.

“Already disarmed it,” Toth said.

August brought his gun to the deadbolt. “All right. Let’s go in.” He fired at the lock. The sharp ting of metal blowing up metal rang out. August slammed his shoulder into the door and it bounced open.

Shouts erupted from the hallway. Toth raced upstairs to secure the floor while Rami and August ran through the main level. A guard charged into the living room, where the back door led out to the patio, and fired.

August cursed. Rami shot at one of the guard’s hands, sending the gun flying. A second guard raced into the room, but August tackled him into the kitchen. The man’s back slammed hard into the island, and he let out a deep grunt.

August delivered a near-deadly blow to the man’s jaw, and his eyes rolled back as his muscles turned to mush. In a few quick movements, he tied the guard’s wrists. August threw a glance at Rami, who was doing the same to the guard whose hand was bleeding. “Thought we weren’t shooting anyone?”

“I said don’t kill. Shooting’s different.”

August snorted and turned his attention to the man crying in pain at Rami’s feet. “Where’s the senator?”

“Fuck you!”

As if on cue, Toth’s heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs as he descended from the second level. “Keep moving and no one will get hurt.” His tone was calm, placating.

A feminine sniffle filled the room as Isabel Radcliffe rounded the bottom of the stairs in a long white silk robe. Her blond hair was pulled away from her face and her eyes were filled with tears. “I knew this would happen,” she sobbed. “He wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Have a seat, ma’am,” Toth instructed, pointing to the couch.

Isabel wrung her trembling hands and did as he’d said. Her gaze widened and became terrified as she stared at the incapacitated guards. “Oh my. Where’re the others?”

“They’re fine,” August assured her. “Just tied up. Where’s Roy?”

“In his office.” She pointed toward a long corridor. “It’s the first room on the right, near the front entrance.”

“I’ll wait here.” Toth stood with his back to the living room wall.

August strode in the direction of the office, aiming his gun at the floor. Rami fell into step behind him.

Why the hell hadn’t Roy come out? Was it possible he hadn’t heard the shouting and gunshots? August paused at the closed wooden door and listened.

Silence. Rami gave a nod, his gun aimed and ready. Toth closed his hand over the cool steel handle. Locked. Bastard was hiding.

August took a couple of steps back and threw his shoulder into the solid wood. The door shook and cracked. He retreated again and then drove into the door with more force. The wood splintered and the door banged open.

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