Page 90 of Verses and Blooms
I glanced at the guard by my side. “Let’s take these guys out so we don’t have to fight both sides at the same time!” I barked.
We fell into place, side by side. I took out two while the other guy took three. Sanchez was in my ear the entire time, reporting heat signatures.
“One on the balcony, one at the front.”
“I’ve got the balcony,” Cooke said, already shooting before I could call it.
“Make that one in front,” Sanchez corrected. I took him out this time.
“All clear on heat signatures on that side. Six more just pulled up at your backs.”
“We’ve got this,” I told Vance. “Get in that church, now. Find your pack. We’ve got this handled.”
They rushed through the entrance while we focused on clearing outside. Now, only a few more targets remained, but we were more than qualified.
“More incoming!” Sanchez yelled.
We moved as one unit, firing into their positions so they had no chance to regroup. They were confused by the speed of our assault.
They weren’t organized like us, not trained for this level of attack. I detached emotion from the fight. These were men who probably had families, but they’d chosen the wrong side. They would’ve taken our lives without a second thought.
The kid next to me screamed, blood pouring down the side of his face. I dragged him behind cover, making sure he was safely out of the line of fire before I checked the wound.
The bullet had grazed his cheek and ear, piercing his earlobe. Blood might be flowing but it wasn’t life-threatening. I quickly ripped off the sleeve of my shirt, rolled it, and pressed it against the wound.
“Hold it there, kid. You’re going to be fine,” I promised.
He was a bit green, but he held steady, nodding and doing what he was told.
For about five seconds.
Then he rolled onto his stomach and helped Sanchez watch the exits. He was a damn fine agent.
“We’ve got Colt,” Vance reported. “No casualties, but three wounded.”
“And the girls?” I pressed, fingers tightening on my comm because I needed to know.
“They’re here… hundreds of them.”
Chapter Thirty
Audrey
Every minute that passed filled me with dread. I knew Ares was alive but it wasn’t enough to calm my worries.
I could feel him through the bond, but it was only a whisper. He shut it down tight before he went in, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want to distract him.
I just needed to know he was safe.
“Wilding, I need you to stop pacing,” Ledger said, snatching me as I made another lap across the common area of our wing. He pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around me.
I breathed in his scent, smoky leather, bourbon, and pine. A strong, calming force that was important right now. My fingers curled into the sleeve of his shirt as I held on tight.
We had three guards stationed outside, standing watch. We’d been told to stay together. They’d even brought our meals here to us, staying true to their promise to keep us safe while Ares was working.
The door slammed open. Caspian, Rydell, and Kane jumped in front of us while Ledger’s arms tightened around me.
“They found the squad and the girls,” the chief announced as he barreled in. His eyes were set on me, and I knew instantly I wasn’t going to like whatever he was about to say.
