Page 26 of Bad Blood
“But those were gunshots.”
And the wide-eyed innocent act continues.
Pressing the grip of the Glock to my forehead, I fight to reign in my temper as another round of gunfire lights up the lower level of my casino. “Yes, and those are, too.” A flicker of emotion flares across her face at my sardonic tone. “If we wait another thirty seconds, they’ll explode the back of our heads against that wall. Now, get up!”
Whether motivated by intimidation or by the thought of dying alongside a Carrera, Thalia climbs to her feet. Dragging her behind me, I storm across the lobby and barrel through the double glass doors. Glancing to my left, I make a snap decision.
There’s no time for the elevator.
Thalia stumbles in my wake as I sprint down the hallway and into a small alcove. Opening a camouflage square within the wall, I press my thumb against a hidden access pad. Within seconds, a sealed door opens, granting us entry to the fastest and most discreet access to the main casino floor—a private stairwell.
Taking a calculated risk, I release my hold on Thalia to shove my hand in my pocket and pull out my phone. With one press of a familiar button, I lift it to my ear. After the first ring, I glance over my shoulder to find Thalia still matching me step for step. On the second ring, RJ answers, the sound of war waging in the background.
“What the fuck?” I roar, my pulse matching the cadence of my steps.
“Invasion,” he answers, his even-keeled tone out of place among the turmoil. “Ten—at least twelve men came out of nowhere and started firing. There were a few AR-15s but, Santi…”
“What?” I snap.
“Most are packing M27s.” He says nothing else. We both know what he’s implying. M27s are infantry automatic rifles—military grade. A fan favorite of the Marine Corps.
My grip tightens around my phone as the scent of jasmine floats over my shoulder.And guess whose daddy is an ex-marine?
“Casualties?” I ask, my voice tight.I’ll deal with her later.
“Negative.”
Gracias a Dios.Not that I’d mourn faceless people, but spilled civilian blood is bad for business. “Contact Rocco. Have him meet me at the west executive door.” I don’t wait for an answer. Disconnecting the call, I slide my phone back in my pocket.
Thalia remains silent, her high heels clicking a frantic tempo as we make our way down the third and final flight of stairs, through a second door, and straight into the jaws of anarchy.
Screams bounce off the chrome and crystal as well-dressed patrons scatter like prey. They’re trapped in a chaotic web spun from the heart of the casino floor: an epicenter of destruction where at least a dozen pairs of black combat boots are crushing the expensive green felt of my gaming tables.
I assess the situation. With steel-plated eyes, I scan the black military fatigues of the ski masked intruders opening fire, therat-tat-tatof their automatic rifles nearly drowning out the cries. Rage does nothing but dilute critical thinking and incite costly mistakes, so I lock it away and aim my gun.
“Don’t shoot them!” Thalia screams, grabbing hold of my arm.
Un-fucking-believable.
“Would you prefer to be on the receiving end?” I say, pushing her away. “It would be my pleasure to arrange it.” Taking aim again, I fire, not bothering to hide the smile that curves my lips as my bright green blackjack table stains a deep shade of red.
“Oh my God.”
As my target falls to the floor, Thalia looks shocked. We catch each other’s gazes and find we can’t look away. For the first time since she stepped into my office, there’s no façade, pretense, or bravado between us. We see each other for who and what we are—two products of a dark and twisted history.
“Boss…”
A rough voice on my left breaks the stand-off, and I turn to find Rocco Altieri, my best lieutenant and head of security appearing out of nowhere, fists clenched, and gun drawn. He looks like hell, which is exactly where he’s headed.
Thalia is forgotten as I lunge and shove my gun under his chin. “How the hell did they get through security?”
“They didn’t,” he says, looking me dead in the eye.No fear.Having a gun pulled on him is simply part of the job. “I’ve been stationed at the front entrance all night. They didn’t come through my detectors.” He slides a hardened gaze over my shoulder. “Someonelet them in through the back.”
I’ve heard enough.
Retracting my gun, I spin around to take Thalia’s arm. Looking dazed, she doesn’t protest as I slingshot her into Rocco’s chest. “Here. Take her back to my office. And don’t let her out of your sight.” He gives a curt nod, and I watch with clenched teeth as her delicate wrist is swallowed by his huge hand.
“No, wait!” As he drags her toward the stairwell, Thalia tosses a panicked look over her shoulder. “You can’t just leave me with him!”
