Page 62 of Judgment Day

Exa's eyes widened. "He's lying. I didn't shoot him."

The newcomer yelled, "Put it on the ground, now!"

Shit. She squatted down, preparing to lower the gun to the ground.

"Don't shoot me," she told the guards. "I'm putting it down."

Fuck, fuck, fuckity, fuck.

"Exa," Arson said over the comm line. "Let them take you to the judge. Scar will be able to catch up with you before they reach the judge. Don't fight. Just go with them."

Exa placed the gun on the ground and stood up. "It's down," she told them.

"Get over here," the newcomer yelled as the terrace guard swayed.

Exa took a step forward.

"Just shoot her," the terrace guard slurred. "The judge said to kill on sight any strangers who enter the house."

Newcomer cocked his head to the side. "You're right."

Shit.

"Run. Hide!" Arson screamed.

Exa took off running toward the terrace. She ducked behind an end table.Shit. She was bigger than the damn table. A bullet struck the table. She stood and ran out onto the terrace. Bullets struck the glass door and window, shattering them. Shards of glass flew everywhere as she ran to the far railing of the terrace.

"Don't jump," Arson yelled. "Scar is on the way."

So were the guards. Exa turned and picked up a large sliver of glass. It stung her palm as she gripped it tightly. The guards approached.

"He's almost there," Seven told her.

"Talk to them," Arson said.

Fuck that. Exa stared over the railing.

The newcomer chuckled. "Are you thinking about jumping? Go ahead. Do it. Then I won't have to kill you."

Behind him, the terrace guard stumbled forward. His gun went off, striking the railing next to Exa. Exa screamed. The newcomer turned to his friend.

"Fuck, Noah. Put the gun down and rest before you kill me. Damn."

While the guard's back was turned, Exa raced forward. She stabbed the glass into the newcomer’s side. He cried out in pain and shock, then jerked his arm back. His elbow connected with her jaw. Exa stumbled back but raced forward again, just as he turned around. She stabbed the sliver of glass into his eye.

His howl of pain was music to her ears. She pulled the glass out just as he shoved her. Her back hit the railing hard.Fuck. He raised his weapon. A shot was fired. The guard's mouth dropped open. Blood pooled at the center of his forehead. His gun fell from his fingers. He dropped to his knees before falling forward, face slamming into the ground.

The newcomer was dead. Next to him, the terrace guard was lying on the ground, eyes on her. He still wasn't out. Scar stepped forward and put a pullet in his head too. The man died with his eyes on her.Rest in hell.Groaning, Exa pushed away from the railing. Scar rushed to her side.

"You okay?" he asked.

She nodded. The truth was, her back hurt like hell. But she was alive. So was he. And that was all that mattered. Scar pulled her in for a hug.

"We don't have time for that," Arson said over the comm line.

They would have to make time. Exa needed this hug just as much as Scar did. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. Wait. She felt something wet. She leaned away from him.

"You've been shot," she noticed, panicking.

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