Page 37 of DeLucas After Dark

I should have known my little escape artist would find a way to free herself and Tácito while reversing the situation in their favor.

“Why didn’t you send me an update when you woke up?” I shout while dodging bullets and exchanging gun fire.

“The assholes took our devices. I couldn’t tell you anything.” Sloane is on the move, her voice coming from a different area to make sure no one pinpoints her location.

I stand to take aim at one of Pierangelo’s men and a thud sounds behind me. I get the round off and look back to see one of the enemy has fallen. “Thanks for the assist. Is Tácito safe?”

She takes an eternity to respond, while bullets fly in the general vicinity where I last heard her voice. “He’s with me.” She’s moved yet again, but something in her voice tells me everything is not okay.

For now, I’ll settle for them being together.

“Where’s Pierangelo?”

“He ran through the south doors after I dropped the first bodyguard, probably ten minutes ago. There’s only his minions to deal with now.”

I glance at Enzo’s main man. He splits off ten of his men to go where Sloane saw Pierangelo escape. “Principessa, can you tell Tácito I need to hear his voice?”

After a few seconds where I imaging Sloane signing to him, he says, “Cabrón, will you get rid of these motherfuckers so we can go home?” Although strained as though in pain, I’m happy to hear his voice.

“I’ll get right on that.” With renewed focus, I take aim at the next enemy.

There are about half dozen remaining, and my and Enzo’s teams make quick work of severing their lives from this world. When the last body drops, Enzo’s point person calls for a cleanup team. I don’t spare them much attention.

“Sloane, where are you?” I shout, while running in the direction I last heard Tácito.

I hear a thud before I see him rising and cradling his hand to his chest. Then Sloane’s body drops from above and she does a controlled roll she learned from her Air Force training. Despite knowing she’s maintained her training during her pregnancy, my heart nearly leaps out of my throat at the sight of her dropping from the high stack of containers.

Sloane leaps to her feet and slings Tácito’s uninjured arm over her shoulder, prompting me to rush to her aid.

“What the hell happened to Tácito?” I gently push her aside to help get him out of the warehouse.

“Pierangelo had his men beat on him. One of the assholes stabbed him in his hand. His hand…” Her voice hitches for good reason.

Any damage to his hands would impede his ability to communicate, but more importantly it would mean the end of his career as a surgeon. It isn’t a future I want him to experience after the stigma he faced and sometimes still does.

“Let’s get him to the hospital.” I grab a hold of his waist.

“I wish someone would tell me what’s going on,” Tácito grumbles.

Sloane gets in front of us to sign what we discussed. When we reach the car, I direct the driver to run through whoever he needs to to get us to the hospital in under ten minutes.

With Tácito somewhat settled, Sloane asks, “How’s Ethan and his team?”

“His prognosis is unclear, but I refuse to believe he won’t make it. As to his team, I’m not sure. My priority was getting the information I needed to find you. Now, my primary concern is Tácito’s recovery, then I’m going to throttle you for the stunt you pulled.”

“Me? I saved my and Tácito’s lives. Why are you mad at me?”

“You put yourself and our baby in danger. Though I for one am glad of the results, it was no less harrowing watching you duck fire while moving me from one safe place to the next.” Tácito leans heavily on Sloane as he explains and absolves her of the shit she did.

Before I can rip into her and undo the damage Tácito wrought, my phone rings.

“Do you have your woman?” Enzo barks.

“Yes.”

“Pierangelo?”

“Escaped. Your men are chasing him.”

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