Page 82 of Sunrise Malice

I turn and rush back into the house. I send some soldiers down to the street to see if they can find the slippery bastard, but I doubt they will. I have a few more head to the airport to see if they can intercept him before he gets on a flight back to France, and have a few more drive circuits around the city, checking the major routes away.

“He must’ve had it ready to go since he came here,” Jean said, sounding impressed. “Old man didn’t climb to the top of the underworld without a few tricks.”

“It’s a goddamn child’s escape ladder. We should’ve had the windows covered.”

“He’s nearly eighty. Nobody thought he had it in him.”

I should’ve known. Pascal’s old, but he’s a fucking cockroach.

He’ll survive just about anything given the chance.

Chapter 36

Brianne

Iwake up to screams.

It takes a few moments to understand what’s happening. The gunfire sounds like firecrackers, except Kim’s propped up in bed by a dozen pillows and her face is pale. “They’re shooting,” she whispers, staring at the bedroom door. “What’s happening?”

Julien. Shit. He told me something was going down today—that’s why he pushed me into staying with Kim last night instead of sleeping with him. “It’ll be okay. He’s got it under control.” I go and sit on the chair beside her bed. I take her hand and hold it tightly as the gunfire continues.

There are more screams outside. Some of them seem horrifyingly close, like the fighting is happening right outside Kim’s suite. There’s a gunshot nearby, and suddenly the door to Kim’s room opens. I leap to my feet, ready to fight.

It’s Helga, Kim’s nurse, the big German lady. She’s holding a gun, and for a moment, I’m terrified she’s coming here to kill us.

Instead, she only nods. “All safe, girls,” she says, closing the door behind her. She tucks the gun into her sweatpants. “Do not worry about the fighting.”

“What’s going on?” Kim asks.

Helga comes over and busies herself with checking on Kim’s vitals. “Just remain calm, please.”

“Were you out there?” I press. “Did you see?”

She nods once. “It’s safer in here. Now, my little pretty patient. Are you ready for your morning pills?”

Kim gives me a look like she can’t quite believe this shit’s happening, and I only shrug. What else can we do?

The fighting goes on for a half hour. Helga tries to keep us calm by asking questions and making jokes. Very, very bad jokes, but given the situation, it’s better than nothing. The fighting sounds vicious, but slowly, the shooting slows and comes to a stop.

“Is it over?” I ask.

The nurse draws her gun. “I shall check.”

“Wait,” Kim says, shaking her head. “Stay here.”

Helga grunts, frowning, and shrugs. “If you wish.”

We wait a little while longer until there’s a knock. Helga aims her weapon roughly where a man’s head would be. “Yes?” she calls.

“It’s Julien. Everything’s safe.”

His voice. Definitely his voice. I run to the door and unlock it, despite Helga’s grumbling. Julien’s there, looking haggard,some blood splattered on his shirt and pants, but he says he’s okay as he swoops in and kisses me hard.

“Everyone’s safe here?” he asks.

“Nobody told me the nurse was packing heat,” Kim says with an awkward laugh.

“Nobody asked,” Helga says, standing straight.

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