Page 136 of Cinder
And making sure Ella doesn’t get caught in the crossfire.
We park our bikes and the van out of earshot and camera range. Thanks to Bram, we know where the weak spots are in their security and how to enter the compound without being detected.
We’ll take care of the firepower protecting the perimeter as quietly as possible, then sneak in.
It’s a good plan.
Until it turns out to be a set up.
Viktor’s men are waiting for us the moment we breach the perimeter fences and get inside, and we find out the hard way when they start shooting at us.
All hell breaks loose, and we get scattered as bullets fly from all directions. I see the prospect get hit twice, but I can’t get to him until I take down two of Viktor’s men, and by then it’s too late.
He’s dead.
Hellbringer is secured to my back, and I’m ready to use it if anyone tries to get between me and Ella. But for now, I rely on my two guns to mow down Viktor’s men as I move through the house, creating a pathway toward the woman I’m in love with.
But so far there is no sign of Ella, or Viktor, or that psychopathic fuck, Luca.
A dark figure appears out of nowhere with his gun aimed at me. But Santo gets a round off and takes him down. Saving my life.
He holds up his gun and wiggles the finger resting against the trigger. “See, son, I’ve still got it.”
I nod in appreciation before turning a corner and moving through the house quietly and precisely and on high alert.
I need to find Ella.
More gunfire rings out. More yelling.
At the end of the hallway, I see Santo exchange fire with someone. He gets hit and slumps against the wall. I change my direction and storm toward the person who shot himand unload several rounds into their chest. And they fall to the floor, dead.
When I reach Santo, he’s in a bad way.
Blood falls from his lips. “Tell Ella I’m sorry. I tried to fix this.”
“You can tell her yourself…”
But he’s already dead before I can finish the sentence.
The light has gone from his eyes, and he stares out at nothing.
I reach over and close them.
Goodbye, old timer.
I don’t have time to do anything else.
I keep moving.
I’m going to find Viktor and kill him. Then I’m going to burn this motherfucking house down.
Creeping along a shadowy hallway, I hear noise coming from one of the bedrooms.
I swing into the room and come face to face with Rogue.
“Fuck, man, I almost unloaded my clip into you,” I say, lowering my weapon.
But he doesn’t lower his.
