“North and east. Away from the crowds.” I can feel my heart picking up
speed. “He’s taking me downtown. He’s jumpy. Not that I blame him, this isn’t
my first choice for an evening stroll. If he goes too much farther, I could be in
trouble. Kayden’s still on Hobbes and too far out if things go from sugar to shit.
Too many unknowns out here.”
A muffled curse sounded from somewhere, but Wolf’s voice kept me on
track. “Okay, stay with him, Cyn. Where are you two going?”
“He’s ducking into a half-burned building. Two stories. It’s in bad shape.
Only a couple of lights are working. It’s dark. My spine’s itching, but no one’s out there. The weight of my gun in hand helps. Why here? The barbed wire is a
bitch and tore my shirt, dammit. Kayden’s pissed, but we can’t afford to lose Tito. What if he’s meeting Ellery? No way in hell I’m letting that monster get away.”
“You’re in the building.” Wolf pulled me back from my anger, giving me
space to focus on my surroundings. “What do you see?”
“Not much. Looks like it used to be a club or a restaurant at some point.
We’re in the back, the floor is a minefield of debris, the ceiling looks like a strong wind will bring it down, and there are so many places someone could hide.” I wipe palms damp with nerves against my lap. “Too many shadows, too
many hidey holes.”
“You’re okay, Cyn. What else?”
“Someone’s upstairs.”
“Tito?”
“Maybe, but it might be two people. I can’t tell.” Frustration pecks at me.
“Need to get closer. Stairs, I need a way up. Don’t want to go up the ones Tito
took.” Images shimmered in my mind. “There, another set in the front.”
“You’re going up the stairs.”
I nod. “Halfway up, a board creaks under my foot. The voices stop. Shit, I’m
stuck. All I can do is crouch here and wait and pray. Stupid, so stupid. Someone
opens a door above me, but no one comes down. They’re just waiting there.
What are they waiting for? I hate this, it’s like a game of chicken. What if Tito’s
coming around to the bottom of the stairs?” Pressure squeezes my chest, making
it hard to breathe.
“Is someone coming down?”
“No,” a harsh, wheezing denial. “The door closes. I rush back down hoping
to get in place before they leave. There’s a spot under the back stairs. Not the best, but it’ll work. Just in time. Someone’s coming down.”
“Who?”
The hint of smoke, hairy legs, and a bobbing light. “Tito. And he’s using his
phone as a flashlight. He’s moving off the stairs into the main floor. I wait for
anyone else to come down. No one appears. That doesn’t make sense. Maybe Tito was talking to someone on the phone? Something falls to the floor above.
I’m out of time. If I don’t follow him, I’m going to lose him.”
“Where is he going?”
“He’s searching for me.” Contempt rises. “Idiot doesn’t even realize I’m
behind him.” A loud crash, Tito turned, and I wince.
“What?”
