Page 91 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Hold up, chief,” Butch says, blocking the door. “Does Gentry carry any weapons?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” Roman says, walking back to a closet. He opens it to reveal a safe. “But just in case.”

He opens the safe and waves his hand over a pile of cash and weapons.

“Holy crap,” Butch says. He pulls out a gun and discharges the clip. “Is this even legal?”

“Do you want me to answer that?”

“No, he doesn’t,” I say, jumping between them. “Butch is the only one who carries a gun.”

Roman looks down at me. “These are my guns.”

“And Butch is the only one with extensive firearms training—including being trained on gun discipline—unless there’s something I don’t know about you,” I say, stretching my body up as tall as it will go. I stare at Roman. “You’re too emotional. Butch is the only one who carries. Period. No more discussion.”

Roman tries to stare me down, but when I don’t back up, a smile starts to form on his face. “Raine, you’re a very interesting person. I want to get to know you better when this is over.”

“That depends entirely on how well you follow my instructions for the next few minutes,” I say, downing the rest of my coffee. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

Alex grabs my shoulder. “I’m coming with you.”

I look up at him. “You don’t have to come. I’ll be fine.”

“I promised you we wouldn’t be apart today,” he says, putting his arm around me. “I’m keeping that promise.”

Butch slips a gun into the back of his waistband and pulls his T-shirt over it. We all follow him up the stairs toward Manny’s room. When we turn the corner to the hallway, Manny’s walking toward his room.

“Manny!” Alex says, running to position himself between Manny and the room. “I thought you were golfing.”

Manny laughs. “Settle down, man. I forgot my wallet.”

“I’ll grab it for you and bring it down to the lobby.”

“What?” Manny tries to get around Alex to the room.

Alex pushes him back. “Don’t go in there, man.”

“What the fuck is going on?” Manny takes a step back and looks around at all of us.

“Alex, we need to do this now,” I say, grabbing his arm. “I’m sorry. Roman open the door.”

Manny tries to stop him, but Butch holds him back. Roman swipes the card and Butch walks in—gun drawn.

“Who the fuck are you?” A man who must be Gentry rolls off Caroline and looks up at us—his face drained of all color. “Get out of our room.”

“Hands,” Butch says, walking toward them. “Now. Let me see your hands.”

Caroline screams as Butch pulls the sheets down. They’re both naked. Butch snarls, “Let me see your hands. I won’t ask again.”

They both jerk their hands over their heads. Butch nods and throws the sheet back over them. He pulls open the nightstand drawer and does a quick sweep of the room. “We’re clear. No weapons.”

“What the fuck is going on here?” Manny says, walking in slowly. He looks over at Alex. “Did you know about this?”

“As of five minutes ago,” Alex says. “I’m sorry, man.”

Caroline sits up—pulling the sheet up to her chest. “Manny, I can explain.”

“Shut up,” Manny says, pointing at her. He grabs Gentry by the arm, pulls him out of the bed, and slams him against the wall. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

---