Page 36 of Second Chance Savior

“I can’t answer that. But this is the problem withoperating based on limited intel and assumptions. Any plan goes to shit that much quicker. For either side. Good thing I put my own contingencies in place.” River took my hand. His palm was smooth and dry. “We need to move.”

We made our way down the hallway again. A brief glance behind me revealed two people sprawled in growing pools of blood. I shuddered and faced forward again.

River pushed through a fire door. Checked the next hallway, then pulled me into it. We didn’t go far. There was another door, this one markedEmergency Exit.

“Is it alarmed?” I asked.

“Possible. So we’d better be quick. When we get outside, we’ll go right. The path will take us to an alley leading out of the botanic gardens property and into the surrounding neighborhood. I left a car parked by an apartment building about a block away.”

His contingency plan. Well, I hadn’t prepped for catastrophe like River apparently had, but I could think on my feet. “Wait, I have an idea.”

I used the small hammer on the wall to smash the glass over the fire alarm and pulled it. A siren sounded. Hopefully the presence of the fire department would hamper the bad guys, even if they had corrupt cops working for them.

River lifted his chin in approval. “Nice,” his lips said, though I couldn’t hear him well over the siren. We pushed through the exit door. He held me back for a second, and then we were running down the dark path.

We took the alley next, right where River had said it would be, and ran until we’d reached the mouth of it. The gardens were in a historic neighborhood of sprawling mansions and modern towers alike.

Sirens in the distance. Whether police or fire, or whose side they’d be on, I didn’t know.

River holstered his gun. I had a passing curiosity aboutwhat kind of holster he used for his suppressed weapon, and how he’d managed to keep it invisible despite the way his suit fitted his lean, muscular body like a glove.

He pressed his fingers to the earpiece he’d taken from the dead man. “They’ve got cars circling the surrounding streets looking for you. Trying to find you before they have to abort.” He listened again. “They know someone’s with you, but they don’t know who. Their commander is pissed off, that’s for sure. They’re scrambling.”

“Anything about Agents Torres or Rainey? Are they alive?”

“I don’t know. But FBI agents are well trained. They probably took out a bunch of Stillwater’s foot soldiers and then made sure the rest of the event guests got out safely. Including Brynn.”

I wanted to believe that, but it sounded like River was just trying to make me feel better. “Where’s your car?”

He pointed across the street, where the alley continued.

A sedan drove by. We crouched down in the shadows. “Is it them?” I whispered.

“I don’t know.” River slipped his arm around my waist. “We’re going to cross the street nice and calm with big grins on our faces. Like we just left a party and had a great time. Nothing to see here. Ready?”

I exhaled. “Trying to be.”

River held my chin between his fingers, making me look at him. “You’re so much prettier when you smile, sweetheart.”

I blinked at him. “You did not just say that.”

“What? You don’t like being told to smile?”

“I suppose it could be worse. You could’ve told me to stop being hysterical.”

“I could have. But it’s hard for me to walk calmly when I’ve just been kneed in the balls.”

“True. Going to take off that earpiece? If anyone sees it, that might be a giveaway you’re not just a casual partygoer.”

“Good point.” He took off the earpiece, slipped my hand into his, and casually sauntered into the street, tugging me along. And somehow, I actuallywassmiling.

We were nearly across when I heard an engine. Saw headlights on my periphery. Another car had just turned onto the street. I gripped River’s hand.

“Don’t run,” he warned. “Keep smiling. Stay relaxed.”

The alley was just steps away. We were almost there.

But instead of ducking into its dark reaches, River spun me and pushed me up against a parked SUV.

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