Page 72 of Under Their Protection

“You guys ready?” Theo asks as he joins us.

“Yes, I am very ready,” I laugh. We all make our way to the door. Max goes first, then Rowan, then me, followed by Theo. When Max opens the door, the entire club is dead silent and a chill goes through me. “Something’s wrong,” I whisper.

Just as Theo is stepping out of the room, I hear Isaac’s voice. I turn around and push him back into the room. “He doesn’t know you are here. Call the cops,” I whisper. Theo looks hesitant but kisses me, and then steps back into the room. Max hands him the bag of play items before we shut him in the room.

“I’m so sorry,” I whimper.

“Hey. Don’t do that. You have nothing to be sorry for. We will be okay,” Rowan says as he cups my face and kisses me. “We both love you so fucking much, okay? No matter what happens, you get the fuck out of here as soon as you can and get help.”

Max hugs me tightly before kissing me. “We are going to be just fine, Nika,” he smiles.

I don’t believe them. I know they are trying to keep me calm, but I know what Isaac is going to do. I know he is going to shoot me or them. I hope he chooses to kill me over them.

Chapter Ten

Anika

We slowly walk towardsIsaac’s voice. He is yelling at people to shut up and sit down. He has completely lost his mind. Before we step out into the open we stop in front of the kitchen door.

“Go around to Emma’s office,” Max whispers to me.

“No. He knows I’m here,” I whisper back.

“And he’s not going to kill us if we know where you are and won’t tell him. That will buy us some time. Emma has a gun in her desk. It’s in the bottom right drawer. If he comes near you, you fucking shoot him. You hear me?” Max instructs me.

“I hear you,” I say as I kiss him again, then Rowan. I quietly slip into the kitchen. I see a few of the cooks hiding and I point to the back door. “Go quietly. He is on the main floor. Call the cops and say it’s Isaac Allen.” They nod and all move quietly toward the back door. I’m glad they didn’t tell me to go out that way because I definitely wouldn’t have left them in here.

Anyone else I see on my way to Emma’s office I direct to the back door. I slip into Emma’s office and her blinds are open so I get down on the ground and crawl around to her desk. Insidethe drawer I pull out Emma’s nine-millimeter and check to make sure it is loaded and a round is chambered.

Every time I hear Isaac scream, it makes me flinch but I pull my phone out of my bag before pushing my bag away. I know the guy’s phones are down since we are in here so I send a text to our big group chat.

Me

SOS. Isaac is at The Cherry. Holding people hostage

Mia

Oh my god. Is anyone hurt?

Theo

Where are you?

Me

Emma’s office.

Emma

My gun is in my desk. Bottom right. Use it.

Me

Max told me. Max and Rowan are out with Isaac. Probably 50+ people in total out there. Blinds are open in the office so I can see a little. No one seems to be hurt. I got everyone from the back out the back entrance. He has a gun. Looks likejust one handgun.

Theo

I’m coming to you. Stay.

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