“I’m here,” West’s voice came immediately through the comms.
“I need the cleaners at the Velvet Lounge. One’s still alive. Have them collect him for me.”
“I’m on it.”
Levi pulled Sara around the side of the building and took her hand.
She was shaking, and he yanked off his heavy leather jacket and shoved her arms through it before zipping up the front. He put her back to the building.
“Stay here,” he said, the order a low growl.
“Don’t go,” she whispered, her voice sounding raw.
“I’m not.”
He moved in close, offering her warmth as she continued shaking.
It took the cleaners roughly nine minutes to reach the front of the lounge, and finally, Sara stopped shaking.
“You need to stay here while I talk to them,” he told her and gripped her with firm hands until she nodded.
When Levi stepped out from the corner of the building, Slade had his gun in his face. The man was so fucking fast that Levi hadn’t even seen it until it was pointed right at him.
“Fucking hell, Huxley. Warn a guy,” Slade growled, tucking away his weapon.
“Sorry. Bring that guy to the warehouse you cleaned out the other day.”
“No problem,” Slade said with a quick nod. “You on your way?”
“Not right now.” Levi gazed at the other man who’d shown up with Slade and he lifted a hand.
Aiden gave him a nod barely visible in the dark. Levi hadn’t expected a response. Aiden didn’t talk much at all. Where Slade was talkative, Aiden was not. Where Slade was slender and quick, Aiden was big and methodical. And when together? The men made the perfect killing machine. Aries was glad to have them.
Levi left the pair and turned back to where he’d left Sara. She had come as close as possible to watch them, all while staying hidden.
He took her hand when he reached her, and they hurried all the way around to the back of the lounge where his SUV was parked.
Earlier, he had shot out the overhead light in the alley behind the building, so there was no way anyone could identify them.
“I…” she began.
“Shhh,” he said and pulled her into a quick, tight hug.
“I lost your earpiece,” she said, her voice thick with tears.
“It’s okay,” Levi told her and tucked her into the passenger side of the vehicle.
When he closed the door, he spoke over the comms.
“West, have Slade find Sara’s device.”
“Copy,” West said.
After Levi slid behind the wheel, he didn’t stop to comfort Sara. He started the SUV and drove away from the lounge, taking the scenic route back to the rental house.
Sara was quiet the whole way until he parked in the driveway.
“Do you know who they were?” she croaked.