Page 116 of The Hitman and the Psychic

“Oh, for the love of God.” She rolled her eyes before grabbing my upper arm, and pulled.

I got my feet under me, but managed to sway into her. She braced me up, and my fingers brushed against her arm. As a vision rushed over me, I staggered a bit, then froze in place until I caught my balance.

“Come on.” Keeping hold of my arm, Aubree led me toward the building. Knowing I’d die if I went inside, I waited until the last moment, then wrenched my arm out of her grip. I ran like hell, grateful I’d kept up with my exercises.

“Stop, or I’ll shoot!”

I kept going, willing to chance it. A shot rang out, and a sharp pain in my thigh sent me tumbling to the ground. I tried to get back up, but the pain was too much.

Footsteps pounded on the pavement, and I glanced up to find Aubree looming over me. “You had to run, didn’t you. Well, guess what? Stone’s already in the building. Johnny’s got him, so I don’t need you anymore.”

She raised her gun to shoot me, and my breath caught. This was it. I was going to die. A shot rang out, but I didn’t feel any pain. Then I noticed a dark red stain blossoming on her chest. The gun slipped from her fingers, and she went down in a heap.

A few seconds later, her ragged breathing stopped.

More footsteps sounded, and I glanced up to find Ricky beside me. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.” He cut through my zip-tie with a knife.

“Where’s Nate? Aubree said Johnny had him.”

“We need to wrap your leg.”

I grabbed the front of his shirt. “Where is he?”

Ricky finally met my gaze. “He’s inside, but I don’t know more than that.”

“Shit. We have to get him out.”

“I know. We will.”

“No. You don’t understand. Johnny’s planning to blow up the building, and he doesn’t care if he goes up with it.”

Chapter 28

Stone

Ientered the dark building, standing just inside the door and keeping my senses alert. The place was dingy and had a musty smell. The only light came from skylights in the ceiling. There were mounds of junk, old machine parts, and crates, stacked here and there throughout the building, leaving plenty of places to hide.

Movement came from the back end of the building, and I drew my weapon. Johnny stepped into view, his hands raised high. “Stone.”

“Where’s Serenity? Tell me, or I’ll shoot.”

“She’s waiting for you, but you’re going to have to use some of that luck of yours to find her before her time runs out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just a little exercise. Remember our last mission? Where you left me for dead?”

My nostrils flared, but I didn’t argue.

“Well… this is your chance to redeem yourself. Your girlfriend’s here, somewhere. All you have to do is find her and get her out before the bomb goes off.”

My heart raced, but I kept calm. “What’s the catch?”

He grinned. “There may be a few booby-traps along the way. But don’t worry. If you’re careful, you should be able to avoid them.” He turned his hand so I could see the device in his palm and the numbers flashing red as they counted down. “I just set the timer. You have seven minutes before the place blows up.”

A shot sounded from outside the building. Johnny flinched, and I knew it had taken him by surprise.

“What was that?”

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