Page 40 of Xavier's Mission

Oh Jesus. Don’t give them any ideas.Her belly churned as she spared a glance at the deadly guns being aimed at them by the two men in parkas.

Haywood smiled. “Sometimes we have to do the hard things.”

Allegra couldn’t believe her ears. “What happened to do no harm? You’re a doctor for Christ’s sake.”

Haywood shrugged. “Things change.” He nodded to the two gunmen. “Now, we’re all going down to the parking garage. Please don’t try anything. My colleagues won’t hesitate to shoot.”

“But what will you say?” Allegra asked. “How will you explain this?”

His smile made her blood run cold. “You and your friend will be taken back up the mountain and left to die in the elements. There’s another storm coming in. Should work like a charm. Damon will die in a car accident. Icy roads make things so difficult.” He smiled again. “Now get up,” he snarled. “Time to go.”

* * *

Xavier wasdesperate for any opportunity to cause a disturbance. Some way that might buy Allegra time to get away. He had nothing. The two gunmen waved their guns at Allegra and Damon. They stood and started toward the hallway. "You too," the larger gunman ordered.

Xavier walked over and moved behind Allegra. The gunman he'd hit came up beside him and sucker punched him in the stomach. He dropped to his knees and tried to suck in oxygen.

"You'll get yours," he gritted out. "I am looking forward to it."

Allegra had let out a little scream and the asshole waved the gun at her. Xavier held up his hand to let her know he was alright. It took him a moment but then he stood up.

“We’ll see.” He smiled at the guy who punched him while making a silent vow that today was that guy's last day on earth.

They followed the hallway to the elevator. There was no way they'd all fit. European elevators were small. This could be the moment. He, Allegra, and Damon were in front with Graham, and Haywood. The shooters and Connie were behind them.

Connie wasn't looking so good. He shook his left arm and rubbed his chest. The man's color was a shade of gray you normally saw on dead folks, and his lips were compressed in a grimace. He was in serious pain. Their gazes locked and Connie stared at him. Then he blinked and turned away.That's right asshole, you got her into this and you'll pay for it.Xavier wasn't taking any prisoners. He'd survived two crashes and a whole pile of other shit. If saving Allegra was the hill he had to die on, he was all good with that.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened.Wish me luck, Jamie.

CHAPTER18

“You, stand back,”the shorter gunman said and poked his knuckles into Xavier’s shoulder. He had his gun underneath his jacket but pointed in Xavier’s direction. “You two,” he said turning to Allegra and Damon. “Get on the elevator.

Allegra turned and stared at Xavier. Her green eyes were huge and the color of jade. He gave her a slight nod. There was no point in fighting just yet. He was sure they’d shoot whether Haywood wanted them to or not. The short gunman got on with them as did Haywood.

The doors closed and Xavier stood in the hallway with Graham, Connie, and the other gunman. He looked at Graham. “You are going to die.”

Graham stared at him.

“I just thought you should know.”

Graham looked away.

Connie leaned on the wall and rubbed his chest. He stared at Xavier.

Xavier smiled evilly. “You’re already a dead man.”

“Enough talk,” the gunman said and glared at Xavier. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. They all trooped in, and Xavier ended up against the back wall with the gunman beside him. Graham and Connie were in front.

The ride to the garage was a short one and no one spoke. Xavier inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. His shoulder was numb earlier, but it was fine now. For the first time in a long time, it felt normal. Deciding life is worth living but being fine with dying seemed to suddenly take away his stress. His fear of living had made him tense all the time and now he wanted to live but might not have the chance. The irony was not lost on him. He grinned.Thanks, Jamie.

The doors opened. Allegra and Damon were standing next to Haywood and the short gunman. Graham got out and then Connie. Xavier moved forward but noticed Connie was staggering. He pressed his fist to his chest, and appeared to be struggling for breath. Xavier figured the guy was in the midst of a heart attack. He hoped it was fatal.

Xavier moved left as he exited the elevator. Connie staggered right, falling into the other gunman. The bigger gunman came out of the elevator gun drawn, and in a rush, Xavier smashed his elbow into the man’s face with a satisfying crunch.

He yelled, “Allegra, run,”

Then as the guy turned toward Xavier, he punched him in the solar plexus and ripped the gun from his hand. The guy charged and without hesitating Xavier shot him between the eyes. He shot the other man as he was trying to get his gun up from underneath Connie. They both fell to the floor.

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