Page 28 of The Grinch Who Stole Orcmas

Kam makes quick work of the side entrance lock, his skilled fingers moving with practiced ease. As the door swings open, revealing a large, high-ceilinged area filled with boxes, I realize this is it. There’s no turning back now.

“Remember the plan,” I murmur, switching on my flashlight, glad the windows are boarded up and the light won’t give us away. Its beam cuts through the gloom, revealing towering shelves and scattered crates. “In and out. No heroics.”

Thornn stays at the door.

Joy nods, her brow pleated with concentration. As we make our way through the maze-like interior, the enormity of what we’re doing hits me full force. We’re breaking the law, risking everything for a chance to right a wrong. The weight of it settles in my gut like a predator lying in wait, ready to pounce.

“Bingo,” Kam whispers, pointing to a door at the far end of the warehouse. “That’s gotta be the office.”

Emma hurries over, connects her tablet to the electronic lock and her fingers fly over the screen as she runs a decryption program. The seconds tick by as we wait in silence. Finally, a soft click echoes through the cavernous room. “We’re in,” she grins, pushing the door open.

The office is smaller than I expected. It contains a desk, a chair, a filing cabinet, and a computer. No frills here, just enough to organize a multi-million-dollar theft ring.

“I don’t know if he’s dumb enough to have used the same password here as he did on his work computer.” Emma’s tapping quickly on the keyboard. “What do you know… he’s smart enough to steal millions and dumb enough to re-use passwords. We’re in, boys and girls.”

Kam takes up his position by the door, his eyes scanning the warehouse beyond.

“Guys,” Sarah’s voice comes through our earpieces, tense and urgent. “We’ve got movement outside. A car just pulled up.”

“Shit!” My stomach drops. “How many people are in it?”

“Not sure. The windows are black. He, or they, are heading your way.”

“Shit,” I growl, looking at Joy. Her eyes are wide as her frantic search through the desk drawers intensifies. “We need more time.”

“I’ve got this,” Kam says, slipping out of the office before I can protest. “I’ll create a distraction.”

Seconds later, the sound of crashing metal and falling boxes echoes from the opposite side of the warehouse.

“What the hell was that?” A gruff voice calls out from somewhere in the warehouse. Then all hell breaks loose as shouts and strident sounds of fighting come from the front of the warehouse. I send a silent prayer for the Goddess to protect Kam and Thornn.

“Come on,” I urge Joy and Emma, my whisper tight with urgency. “We need to hurry.”

Emma’s fingers are flying on the keyboard as Joy crouches, scavenging through the file cabinet’s bottom drawer. Footsteps pound through the hall, accompanied by shouts and the beam of a flashlight sweeping across the warehouse floor.

“Got it!” Joy exclaims, holding up a stack of papers.

“Just a few seconds more for this to download to my jump drive.”

I’ve never heard Emma’s voice so tight and urgent.

Frantic footsteps are approaching and grunts and the sounds of flesh on flesh are getting louder as Emma whispers in triumph as she confirms, “This should be everything we need.”

Just as I urge, “Let’s bounce,” the office door bursts open, revealing a burly security guard—not the same one we encountered before.

“Freeze!” His shout shatters the silence. His gun is already drawn and aimed at me, since I’m more of a threat than the two women.

Time slows to a crawl. Without conscious thought, I lunge forward, placing myself between Joy and the barrel of the gun. “Hide!” I roar, my voice so loud it echoes off the walls.

A deafening crack splits the air as the guard fires. Luckily my orc reflexes help me dodge to the left. Instead of piercing my chest, the bullet grazes my biceps. With a guttural growl, I charge at the guard, my bulk slamming into him with the force of a freight train.

We crash to the ground, grappling for control of the weapon. This guy is strong, but I’m fighting for more than just myself now. I’m fighting for Joy, for justice, for my community. With a roar that comes from the depths of my being, I wrench the gun from his grasp, sending it skittering across the floor.

When his fist connects with my jaw, stars explode behind my eyes. But the pain kicks my reserves into gear. I retaliate with a swift uppercut that snaps his head back. In a final, desperate move, I grab him by the shirt, stand with him in my grip, and pound him against the wall with such force that he crumples to the floor, unconscious.

I pull his belt off and turn him over, securing his hands behind his back.

Panting heavily, I stagger but keep my balance. “Joy! Emma!” I call, my voice hoarse. “It’s clear!”

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