Page 34 of Her Last Hope
Ramos led them to a locked door in the corner of the west end of the warehouse. The room looked to be about twenty feet by thirty feet.
“Where is the merchandise?” Logan asked with short growl.
Nick understood the sentiment as he didn’t want to step into what appeared to be a room with only one way out.
“Below us.” Once the door clicked closed behind the group, Ramos flicked on an overhead florescent light. “When I took this warehouse over, I spent a little over a year adding a lower level. I originally used it for my casinos.” Ramos stepped past a small desk and a couple of chairs, the only things in the room, to what appeared to be a closet, only behind the metal door was an old-fashioned warehouse elevator, complete with a metal cage.
Leandra squeezed his hand as she glanced at him with pursed lips.
The hair on the back of Nick’s neck stood straight up.
They had all agreed that everything seemed too easy, but Ramos was under fire, and he knew Fielding had enough to arrest him.
But if Alicia had flipped? Fielding had jack shit, except whatever bad intel she gave him.
Ramos picked up a walkie-talkie from the desk. “Sending them down.”
“We’re ready for them,” a voice crackled.
“You three go on down. I’ll meet you outside.” Ramos stepped back as his goons stepped forward, guns drawn.
“What the fuck is going on?” Leandra asked.
Nick tugged at her hand, but she didn’t budge.
“Nothing’s going on.” Ramos held his hands up. “Merchandise is below. My men will guide you to the loading area. We’ll complete our business outside.”
Nick knew Ramos was full of shit, but what were his choices? Get shot here or down below? He figured the couple minutes in the elevator would be enough time to devise a plan.
Logan must have thought the same thing as he slowly backed up.
Ramos slid the door closed with a shitty grin.
“Motherfucker,” Nick whispered, glancing around quickly. All four sides were lined with a metal grate, with only three concrete walls and one steel door that made it impossible to see out. However, he could see the shaft above, which indicated the elevator went up to the top floor as well.
“Ambush,” Logan said.
“I bet they are going to use our truck to get the hostages out and drive right by Fielding, thinking it’s us.” Nick sucked in a deep breath.
“Probably the plan,” Logan said, holding up a set of keys. “Though it might be hard for them to get anywhere without these.”
A small piece of hope, but that was all they needed.
Nick shoved Leandra behind him while he stepped in front of Logan.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Logan punched his shoulder. “You’re not a human shield.”
“Back the fuck up. You’ve got a kid on the way and you’re”—he pointed to Leandra—“well, my mother would kill me if I didn’t try to protect you.”
“Except you’ll already be dead by the time she gets the chance.” Leandra stepped to his side.
The motor kicked in, and the elevator rattled.
Logan lifted his pant leg and pulled out a couple handguns. “Here. Hopefully we’re not too outgunned.”
“Sorry, hon, but my brother and I are highly trained professionals, so please step behind me again,” Nick said.
“Right, because I’ve never fired a damn weapon before.” She laughed and bent over. “Are you the only asshole who didn’t think to pack a second weapon?” She held up a pistol. “Not as impressive as your Smith and Wesson, but it will do the trick.”
