Page 61 of The Soul of Archer
It was now six a.m. and it would take him at least forty-five minutes to get to the hospital. He looked at Danny. “You better get going if you’re going to get to your spot. I’ll see you there.”
“Be careful Lance. Don’t let them get under your skin. That’s what they want, to distract you. Don’t play their game, make them play yours.” Danny advised.
Lance nodded and walked to the driver’s side. He hopped in, turned on the truck and took off. He hoped Ethan’s plan worked, but what worried him was that he would get there and find Alora already dead.‘No! Don’t go there. She’s alive and you will bring her home.’
The highway was virtually deserted which made it better and he was able to make good time. At ten till seven, he pulled through the old gates of the abandoned asylum. He spotted two vehicles parked outside the main building. One was a black diesel truck the other, a flashy little green beamer. Lance killed the engine, took a moment to steel himself before climbing out and heading toward the building. Taking a second to compose himself, he squared his shoulders and headed inside. The first thing he saw was Alora bound to a folding metal chair.
“You alright Alora?”
“Yes.” Alora nodded, trying to signal to Lance’s left with her eyes, but she wasn’t sure he could see in the low lighting.
Lance however did see and was ready. He felt someone approach from his left a second before he felt the cold steel of a gun barrel pressed to his temple. “Not one twitch, or you’re precious Alora will watch as I blow your head off.”
Lance sneered, “So that’s how your brother and father knew about Houston. You’ve been playing us the whole time haven’t you Annabelle?”
“Yes, and you all fell for it.” Annabelle shot back. “Move.”
Lance kept his eyes trained on Alora as he stepped further into the building. He watched as Sam and Ian stepped out of the shadows behind Alora. Lance had to fight himself when Sam stopped at her side and pulled out a silver pistol and level it at Alora’s temple. Ian kept walking till he and Lance were now eye-to-eye. Lance stared into the piercing gaze of the older man and saw in those eyes that the man would not hesitate to kill and had killed before.
“Where are my crates?” Ian demanded.
“The bed of my truck. First let Alora go. I’m worth more to you than she is.” Lance said.
“She waits here. Annabelle, you stay with her. Samuel, you come with me.” Ian ordered. As Sam and Annabelle traded places, Ian began patting him down.
“Don’t worry baby, we’ll get out of this.” Lance promised.
“I know we will Lance.” Alora nodded.
“You follow instructions well Mr. Archer.” Ian replied. “Now, take me to my merchandise.”
With one last look at Alora, Lance pivoted and led Sam and Ian outside. When his back was to both men, he smiled. Oh, his Alora was both strong and smart. He’d have to ask her how she got free when they got back home. “You should know one thing Malconi. You hit my woman. For that I will kill you.”
“Big words Marine.” Sam chided.
Lance opened the tailgate of the truck and he prayed that Danny had made it. Sam shoved him to the side and moved in to count the crates. “They’re all here father.” Sam announced.
A second later, the lids of the crates flew off and the rest of Lance’s team, Harker, Fortner and Helix sat up, their weapons aimed at Ian and Sam. Lance pulled his backup piece from his ankle holster. “It’s over Malconi.”
Ian turned his head and just smiled. “Is that so?”
Chaos irrupted.
***
Alora’s body jerked at the echoing sounds of gunfire drifted inside from out front. She watched Annabelle move from beside her to in front looking at the doors. Alora knew this was he chance. In a blink she was out of the chair and charged at Annabelle. Annabelle tried to pivot but Alora collided with her and both women hit the floor, the gun skittering across the cracked tile. As the gun fight raged outside, Alora was waging her own fight. She needed to get that damned gun from Annabelle. Both women were screaming and clawing at each other, Alora howled in pain when Annabelle grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked.
“You stupid bitch!”
“Fuck you!” Alora screamed, throwing her head back, connecting with Annabelle’s nose.
Annabelle cried, and her grip loosened. Alora rolled her body bucking the other woman off her. Scurrying on her hands and knees, Alora managed to retrieve the gun. Getting to her feet, she pointed it at Annabelle. “I told you before bitch, you should have prayed that Lance got to you first.”
***
Lance dropped beside Danny, using the truck as cover. “Where the fuck did these guys come from?”
“Hell if I know.” Danny gritted, taking out three of Malconi’s men.
