Page 15 of Sins of Leo

CHAPTER 4

Despite Sage’sannouncement at dinner, Leo hadn’t needed to rush back to Dr. Warmstone that same night. According to the seer, he could wait until morning, but no longer.

Initially, he’d planned to get wasted. His mouth watered at the thought of the belly-burning whiskey in his room. A craving that bothered. Did he really want to be hungover? He knew for a fact that it slowed his response time. Dulled his senses. If the shrink was in danger, then he needed to be at his best; hence why he avoided his room and instead entered Aquarius’ lair. For the curious, it was a computer room. Screens all over, some of them displaying news segments from around the world. The Zodiacs paid close attention to possible emerging issues. A bunch of mysterious deaths? People gone missing? Lights in the sky? All signs that required investigation. Most times, it turned out to be a human problem, but not always. And that was where they came in. Supernatural beings, aliens, ancient curses… they handled it all.

Aquarius must have left for the day since his seat sat empty in front of a trio of blank screens. Leo didn’t bother contacting him for help, because then he’d have to explain why he wanted information about a certain woman. For the first time in a while,Leo found himself curious. Had Cetus sent that thief? How did anyone know about the picture of that strange door and the journal? Did the journal contain clues about the purpose and location of the door? Who wrote it? Who drew the image?

His research didn’t reveal any connection between Ruth and Cetus, but he did find a few answers.

Dr. Ruth Warmstone, age thirty-five, lived alone in the brownstone she owned. It acted as home and office. She was an orphan, as her father, one Dr. Octavius Warmstone, had been declared dead seven years after his disappearance in a jungle down south. Mother died a few years ago having never remarried.

Speaking of marriage, his shrink seemed to be single. No kids. No pets. No parking tickets or any kind of infraction on record. Graduated in the top five percent of her class. No debt, other than her mortgage, which she could have slammed if she’d wanted with her bank savings.

Definitely not the type of woman who was used to being shot at. The screaming as someone fired at them in the parking garage gave it away.

“Why are they shooting?” she hollered, huddled in the footwell.

He used it as a teaching moment. “To kill us.”

“Kill us? Why?” she screeched.

“Dunno, but I told you they were after you.” Given Aquarius had managed to remote-start the vehicle, Leo slammed her SUV into reverse. Tires screamed as he spun the wheel, flipping them around.

Pop.

The bullet embedded into the windshield and started a web of lines that crackled as they spread.

“This isn’t happening,” Ruth moaned, huddled and hugging her knees.

“I thought avoiding reality was something shrinks disapproved of,” he commented as he floored the gas, speeding for the guy who stood in his path, pointing a gun.

“This is your fault!” she hollered.

He couldn’t help snapping, “I’m the reason you aren’t going to die.”

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Leo ducked as more bullets hit the windshield, causing it to collapse and bringing in a rush of air. Soon as the shooting stopped, he peeked out the front and cursed. He jerked the steering wheel, narrowly avoiding a concrete column and instead aimed for the gunman shaking his jammed gun, the reprieve lucky for them.

The fucker leaped to the side rather than get hit by the speeding Bronco. The path ahead clear, Leo straightened, only to grunt as a shot took him in the meaty part of his bicep.

The coppery stench of blood filled the cabin of the vehicle, but Leo endured the stinging wound as he zigged and zagged, making them a more difficult target. The bullets kept coming, slamming into the body of the Bronco. These people obviously weren’t interested in taking them alive.

He sped up the ramp to the second level of the parking garage, leaving the attackers behind.

No one shot at them as he headed for the incline leading to the first floor. Almost in the clear. He followed the signs marked Exit and was just about to celebrate their escape when he noticed the line of mercs spread in front of the door to leave the garage.

The abrupt halt as he slammed on the brakes rocked them hard.

“What’s happening?” she gasped.

“More bad guys.”

As they raised their weapons and began to shoot, he slammed them into reverse, the tires screaming and smoking as he spun them again with no idea where to go next.

Fighting wasn’t an option. Too many men, and if they were intent on killing Ruth, it would only take one well-aimed shot.

He spun them around a corner, putting them deeper into the parked cars on this floor, but it would only give them a temporary reprieve.

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