Page 44 of In The Trenches (Owens Protective Services)

“Well, I hope you’re able to get what you need.”

The other men returned a moment later and we moved down the hall to another door. This one didn’t have any signs indicating what was stored inside. Again, I waited with Seth in the hallway.

“I’m assuming you’ll go home after this,” he said casually.

“Yeah, there’s no point in me staying to work when the power’s out.”

“Do you live far from here?”

I looked at him warily. I didn’t know him, even if I did feel comfortable with him, and I wouldn’t be giving up that information.

“I’m only asking because it’ll be hard to get a ride at this time of night with the city shut down.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said stiffly, though the idea of walking alone at night sent shivers down my spine.

The men returned again and the leader jerked his head to the stairwell. I followed behind them, unsure of what else to do. I briefly thought that maybe I should report this in the morning, but I wasn’t even sure if anyone would be in tomorrow. With the whole city dark, it was unlikely they would get power restored in just a few hours.

Once we reached the lobby, my fight or flight instincts kicked into high gear. Something seemed very wrong, but what was I going to do against five men? Even if what Seth said was correct, I didn’t want to be around them any longer than I had to be.

“Thank you for helping me out of the elevator,” I said to Seth.

“No problem. You’re sure you can make it home safe?”

“Yes,” I said confidently, though I was feeling anything but. I just wanted to get away from it all.

We all walked out of the building together, but when they turned right, I turned left. Unease trickled down my spine with every step I took. I forced myself not to look over my shoulder. I listened intently for any sounds of footsteps behind me, but didn’t hear a thing. When I got to the end of the block, I turned the corner and then quickly pressed myself against the building. Peeking around the corner, I saw the men get in a car and drive off. I slumped against the building in relief. I had worked myself up for nothing. They were gone, and I would go home and forget this night ever happened.

17

CASH

“You needa shower as soon as we get inside,” Lock ordered Scottie.

He sighed loudly, as if he was irritated with all of us. “You know, you’re all acting like I didn’t just save your asses from a massive explosion.”

I strode ahead of them to the door. I wanted to get inside before our guests showed up, and they were pulling in right now. “Everyone inside. You don’t say a word to our new friends. Scottie, go take a fucking shower. None of us need to smell that.”

“You know, a simple thank you would be nice. After all, I did just—”

“Yeah, yeah. I got it. You saved our asses from hell and brimstone.”

Scottie huffed as he turned away from us. “That’s all I’m saying,” he said over his shoulder. “It would be nice to be acknowledged for my sacrifice.”

The generators were running, but only necessary systems were running. We couldn’t risk draining all the power by firing up everything we would need to do a proper investigation into the clusterfuck that just happened. Rubbing my hand over my face, I reorganized my thoughts. “Is Grady on lockdown?”

“Put him in the cellar, boss,” Edu answered.

“Good. Go get your head checked out.”

His dark skin paled as he stared at me. “You’re sending me to the hospital?”

He actually sounded offended that I would suggest he take care of himself. “You got hit in the head with a metal canister and you were out cold for way too fucking long. Yeah, I’m saying go get fucking checked out.”

“But…Lock’s here.”

“Yes, and he’s a medic. You need a fucking doctor.”

Edu straightened, standing taller. “No, I refuse medical treatment.”

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