Page 53 of Crimson Tears

“I will watch your backs,” Boris says reluctantly.

Cillian’s already out and heading to the door when I pull up. I rush to his side and pull my handgun as well as a set of brass knuckles from my belt. If this is going to be a close fight, I want every advantage.

Cillian looks back at me and nods, letting me know he is moving in. I watch his back while he turns the knob, inching the door open slowly. Once there is enough room for him to slide in, he glances inside.

“Clear,” he says just above a whisper.

Taking one last look around us, I duck into the door and allow my eyes to adjust to the dim light. The truck from outside is parked in the center and no one is around.

“Two walked out, do you think there are more in here?” I ask Cillian.

“I doubt they would leave their merchandise unattended.”

We make our way closer to the back of the truck, watching carefully. After we turn the corner, I hear the snick of a gun and the voice of a man that sounds faintly familiar.

“You should not have come here.”

Nausea churns in my stomach as realization hits me that I know this man.He works for my father.

What Cillian said before clicks.My father bought kids. He bought a truckload of feckin’ kids.

I don't even have the chance to think about shooting the guy before Cillian puts a bullet between his eyes. Frustration burns through me because the asshole could have known something. But I see his point. And if Boris has eyes on the other two, surely we will get information from them.

Cillian runs to the truck and pulls the back door open without hesitation while I stay back, still nervous since this man clearly knew we were coming. My gun is aimed, even if I don’t want this to be the first thing these kids see, I can’t risk everyone’s safety.

When he jumps up to look in, Cillian’s body sags with defeat as soon as we register that it’s empty.

“Maybe this was a decoy?” I suggest. “We should call Evie.”

Cillian turns to me, and I can see the hurt in his eyes. He wanted to save these kids more than anything. We both did.

“Boris, the container is empty. Do you have eyes on the other men?”

“Negative. They took off in a blue van around the same time the two of you went into the building.”

I sigh, wanting to throw my gun in frustration. But I could never do that to Jessica. She was a gift from Boris, so I keep my grip on the precious weapon.

Cillian and I survey the rest of the truck, finding no trace of anything left behind. It’s wildly frustrating, and by the time Boris makes it over to us, I am ready to call Evie to see if they found anything.

The three of us step close to my phone as I dial her number and put her on speaker.

“Did you find anything?” Evie asks immediately.

“No. It looks like it was a decoy.”

“This is all so…”

Before Evie can finish her sentence, the line abruptly cuts off, and I notice my phone has no signal. The three of us glance up at each other, before turning outward, our backs together and aiming our weapons. Glass shatters all around as fifteen people easily blast through the windows above.

Chaos descends, but the moment Boris is hit, utter terror courses through me. The thought of losing him here and now makes me scream. But when he rolls over, I realize something.

They aren’t using bullets. They have tranq darts.

I take aim with a new sense of panic rising, hitting as many men as I can while Cillian and I brace ourselves back to back. We both get hit at the same time, and the room goes fuzzy as bodies descend around us. But I’m not going down without a fight.

I grip my brass knuckles as tightly as I can and swing with all of the strength I have left in me, just as hands start to reach out for me.

I make contact a few times, but not enough before I am pulled into darkness. I feel myself fall right before I’m kicked in the stomach. It hurts but the edges of the pain are numbed.

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