Page 88 of Over the Top

Chas sounded scared but in control of himself, whispering, “As long as you’re safe, I’ll be okay up here. Do your job.”

“Love you, Chas.”

“Love you too.”

Sonofabitch. They’d finally managed to tell each other they loved each other at the same time like normal people did. Of course, they’d had to wait until the middle of a shootout to pull it off.

Nope. Nothing normal about the two of them.

CHAS WATCHEDthe yard and surrounding woods intently while he waited for Gunner to come get him. It was quiet for several minutes, but then he thought he saw someone moving toward the house in the woods along the driveway.

Horrified, he reached for his throat microphone button. “Incoming,” he breathed. “Paralleling the driveway.” He thought quickly about the compass directions and added, “East side. In the trees.”

A single click was the only response.

Satisfied that he’d been helpful to Gunner, he lay still in his odd little hiding spot, praying harder than he’d ever prayed before. He prayed for Gunner to be safe and for himself to live through the night. He prayed for Poppy and Spencer and Drago, and for Mr. and Mrs. Brentwood, who’d been kind enough to take in Poppy and protect her.

He had no idea how long he’d been up on the roof—a while—when he heard what sounded like the entire Maryland police force coming down the road, sirens screaming. From his vantage point on the roof, he saw the glow of what had to be dozens of light bars illuminating the main road.

Welp. The cavalry had arrived. Only hitch: it had headed for the Brentwood estate and not here.

Should he continue to stay put? Or maybe get down and make a run for the road and all those lovely armed police?

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he dismissed it. He trusted Gunner with his life, and if Gunner said to stay here, he would do that. He might hate Gunner’s profession, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that the man was extremely good at his job.

Maybe time passed faster knowing the police were nearby, or maybe it was just knowing an end to this nightmare night was in sight. But before long, Gunner murmured in his ear, “It’s all clear out here. Either that or the bastards are better than me.”

Chas sincerely doubted the Oshiro gang members were better than a SEAL. “I’m willing to bet my life on your being better,” he murmured back. “Can I get down, go inside, and get warm now?”

“Yes.”

Praise the Lord and pass the potatoes. He uncurled and was shocked at how stiff he was. He whole body felt like a board. He dangled his feet over the edge as he pushed back on his belly, shoving himself backward until his hips hung off the edge of the porch. Letting go, he controlled his fall and rolled all the way back to his feet.

And then Gunner was there, wrapping him up in a crushing hug.

“Jeez. You’re an ice cube. Let’s go inside,” Gunner murmured.

He followed Gunner up the front steps and into the living room. Chas reached for the lights, but Gunner grabbed his wrist. “Leave the lights off.”

“Any reason why?”

“Well… yeah.”

“Care to tell me why?”

“Umm, there’s a dead guy in the dining room. Thought I’d spare you that sight.”

“There’s awhat?”

“There were two hostiles in the house. I neutralized them both. Surely you heard the shooting.”

“I was in denial. Shouldn’t we tell the police?”

“We will. Once the situation across the street is contained. I’d rather not siphon off FBI resources until all the tangoes over there are dead or in custody. When Spencer reports that he’s in the clear, I’ll let him know we’ve got a couple bodies over here.”

“Right. But gross.”

Gunner guided him across the living room to the sofa. “I’ll go get us some blankets.”

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