Page 1 of Midnight Legacy

Chapter One

Cassandra

The crystal chandelier glittered overhead, creating patterns on the walls. Gentle background music played while people mingled and chatted to catch up with each other. A waiter wheeled in a cake covered in candles as we all sung happy birthday. Nothing about tonight suggested tragedy.

We were nearing the end of the chorus when a group of men clad in black and wearing balaclavas burst in.

“Good evening, we’re here to collect a debt. Ten million pounds and access to the files named on this zip drive.” The man waved the small object in one hand while holding a gun in the other. “Cooperate and everyone will get out of this alive.”

Ash’s brother Michael staggered forward, the contents of his glass spilling slightly. “Piss off. This is my brother’s birthday party. Come back tomorrow.”

Murderous intent radiated from the man who’d demanded the money. His gun pointed directly at Michael’s head. “Step back or I’ll blow your fucking head off.”

Michael shrugged. “Get in line.”

Ash tried to pull his brother back. “Michael,” he growled in warning.

The man pistol-whipped Michael and he fell to the ground, his glass shattering on the floor. Ash knelt beside his brother, staring up at the assailant with barely controlled anger.

Xavier’s body tensed beside mine, his head moving to stare at his friend Jordan who stood beside the door. A barely perceivable nod from Xavier and Jordan’s hand flashed up to turn the lights out.

Gunshots followed with shouting and the chandelier shattered overhead.

Xavier lowered me to the floor in a second and pressed me deep into the carpet, his arm covering my head, and his breath fanning my ear. The noise of the gunshots ricocheted through my head and fear unfurled deep in my stomach.

Tonight was supposed to be a celebration until the men in the woolly faces barged in and started shooting. The only item remotely resembling a weapon were the lethal heels on my Jimmy Choo shoes and there was no way Xavier was getting blood on them.

“Motherfucker!” Jordan snarled from somewhere to my right. “Of all the nights to get hit, we’re here like sitting ducks.”

Another round of gunshots rang out and my heart clenched in panic. How the hell were we supposed to get out of this alive?

“Right ankle,” Xavier hissed to his friend, his arms tightening around me.

Jordan crawled closer to us and began patting Xavier, his dark chuckle sounding evil in the darkness. “Fuck, yeah,” he replied. “Cover her ears.”

Xavier’s hands clamped over the sides of my head and shots rang out directly above me. Groans sounded across the room and heavy thuds followed. Jordan was the hand of death and always seemed to hit his target.

The lights were out so I was surrounded in darkness, the acrid taint of smoke in the air and the faint scent that ammunition gave when it was discharged. “Zee,” I whimpered, desperately wanting this to be over.

“I’m right here, baby.” He rolled me onto my back, his body pressed into the cradle of my thighs so I could hug him tight the way I always did when I needed to feel safe. His cheek rubbed against mine and our bodies aligned.

This had been Ash’s birthday party. His mum insisted that she organise it as she always had, even though he’d bitched about it. Xavier had only agreed to come because it was for one of his closest friends. We should have been safely in our house, far from the rest of the world right now.

More shots echoed around the room and Jordan returned fire. Another thud hit the ground.

“How can he see?” I hissed in Xavier’s ear, my arms tightening their hold on him.

“His sunglasses in his jacket pocket have night-vision incorporated in them. We all carry them.” Even though we were in the middle of a gun battle, my head jerked back.

“Did you use them in The Midnight Rooms?” I demanded, wondering if he’d seen me before that meeting a few months ago. Of all the idiotic things to think about right now, that’s what my brain was worried about. I bit my lip to stop myself from saying anything else.

I felt his head shaking beside mine. “We go down there in our boxers, Cas. Using the glasses would be against our policy.” His head rested in the curve of my neck, his breath fanning my ear. “I need to get you out of here, baby.”

Jordan crept alongside us. “I’m going to make a move. Cover me.”

Xavier’s head moved away from mine. “With what, Jay? I gave you my gun.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck if you use the cushions on the sofa. At least it would give them a purpose.”

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