Page 90 of Rivals & Revenge

"The transfer is already done. Has been for two weeks. The crazy bitch paid me to hold them." he laughed mirthlessly. “Of course, I didn't know this was the goal.”

This didn't feel right. That familiar tightness along my spine, the instinct that kept me alive, flared to life. Something here was off. Fuck. "Tierney, back to the doorway." I commanded, keeping my eyes on him, hoping she obeyed.

"So that's where you fucked up," he said, shaking his head. "Man, you're not supposed to mix ex and next. Not that I can blame you. This one’s fine as fuck."

Not that it was his business, but I wanted to argue he was wrong. But was he? I fucked Lucia long ago, and she was taking her wrath out on my new girl. It was a bit more complicated than that, but he didn't need to know that.

Instead, I just shrugged. He wasn't worth the explanation, anyway. "Fuck off."

He took one step toward me and stopped.

I held my ground. There was still a good bit of distance between us, and I hated the thought of him seeing my retreat.

His fingers shook as they fumbled with the bottom buttons on his deep emerald green oxford shirt. The third button came undone, and he lifted the hem of his shirt, baring his stomach.

Fear sank into me like a stone in a lake. "Get back. Get downstairs!"

"Ahren—"

"Now!" I backed away from him, angling my body so the door might block me from taking a direct hit.

"Don't leave me." his voice shook. If she had chosen better, I might have hesitated, but I had no issue abandoning the smarmy bastard to his death. The only regret I could muster was that I wouldn't be the one to pull the trigger.

I dove into the stairwell, the door barely swinging shut behind me when a deep thunderous roar rent the air and the steel reinforced concrete walls shook.

"What the fuck?" Tierney yelled from two floors below.

Grabbing on to the railing, I pulled myself up. Tierney and Connor started back up the stairs. "No. Down. I'm coming. Just—got my dick knocked in the dirt. But I'm ok."

They halted, but didn't continue until I stepped onto the fifth floor landing. Connor grabbed my face and checked my eyes, running her hands over my scalp. My fingers closed around her hand, halting her frantic movements. "I'm fine, Connor. Really."

She didn't look convinced, but after some back and forth, I agreed to let her look me over once we got home. That seemed to satisfy her, at least for the moment.

"This stairwell was built to withstand a fire or a blast like that one. It stands independent from the rest of the building. We're safe. As long as the door isn't blocked at the bottom, we will be fine."

"Told you the elevator was a bad idea." Tierney scoffed, rolling her eyes, but I caught the way her fingers trembled as they gripped the railing.

I pulled her into my arms. We needed to get out of here before fire and rescue arrived, but I could take a moment to comfort my woman. I pressed my lips to her forehead. "Thank you."

She looked up at me, unshed tears lining her eyes. "I'm definitely going to need that first strike back."

I nodded, offering a half smile as we continued down the stairs.

Mercifully, the door opened enough for us to scoot through. Fourteen steps and we entered the alley that led to eighth street where the truck was parked. We had debated just parking in the garage, but experience taught me having my car too close could bite me in the ass. I was glad I'd listened to my intuition this time around.

Our footsteps quickened, racing for the truck as the sirens grew closer.

The door clicked shut, sealing away the chaos of the street. My heart hammered in my chest, and I allowed myself a moment to take a deep breath before moving. The engine roared to life with the press of a button. I pulled onto Main just as the fire trucks rounded the corner four blocks in the opposite direction.

"Magma." I said, finally finding my voice again. "Richardson had the word 'magma' cut into his stomach. That's how I knew he was a goner."

"I figured she'd shoot him." Tierney replied.

I nodded. "Same. The red light was just a distraction, though."

"Unless he broke the rules, too."

My eyes swung to Connor. “We found that out. She doesn't like rule breakers. Maybe he was supposed to be shot but showing you the message-”

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