Page 282 of The Reluctant Hero

That sounds bad.

The entrance to the manor explodes, the wooden door flying off its hinges. My aim moves to it. I didn’t feel an aftershock, and the door was the only thing affected.

A snarling man marches in, weapon ready and teeth gnashing. I recognize Ace Miller. Anger issues. Blackout rage. A hazard.

I backtrack quickly even though there are several people still alive in front of me. They won’t be soon enough. I manage to catch the rest of Matthias Jr’s team coming in one by one and ready for war before I move to the back of the mansion.

There’s a set of stairs back there that lead down. Something not on any of the blueprints.

“I’m blind!” Blue rages in my ear. “My computer is fucking toast, Tic. Matthias Sr has a clean-up on the way to your location. Get the girl and get the fuck out of there.”

“Copy,” I mutter, uninterested.

“Don’t you fucking give up on me,” Blue’s tone drops helplessly. The sudden sound of defeat makes me pause. Never a good thing in the middle of a fight.

The man I consider my brother, my best friend, keeps going in a ragged tone.

“We’re almost out. After that we can pick ourselves back up. Itwillhappen, Tic.”

“Copy,” I say with more grim determination.

Jake

No more empty rooms. Cade promised. He even rubbed his ear when he said it. It’s a done deal. It has to be.

Ace and Mikael separate in front of me, going in opposite directions and roaring Amanda’s name. Cade follows Gabriel straight ahead. It leaves me with the winding stairs.

A body bounces down to land at my feet.

Throat cut. How familiar.

I mount a few steps to see what’s happening with a little cover.

Shade and South dance together as if they rehearsed their movements. Death flows all around them, painting the walls red. The dance doesn’t stop until someone stumbles onto them and turns to run. Both Shade and South race to catch up.

I backtrack and follow after Cade, killing anyone who gets in my way. It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or woman. They’re all here for one reason, and it’s in that basement. They’re all guilty.

“Manda!”

The sound of Ace’s agony has my chest caving in.

When I get her back, I’m putting a tracker in her ass. It’s decided.

I need her.Where is she?

My steps stop as I enter another doorway. I duck back quickly as a shot gets fired in my direction.

We found some of Matthias’ traitors.

A quick peek shows me Cade crouched behind a red velvet couch with Gabe next to him. Both have their guns at the ready. It’s a proud moment for Gabe despite how pale he is.

My eyes move, taking in the three men left standing.

They don’t matter. I wantmeine Seele.

I move through the doorway and spray bullets without concern. I catch them all in a clean sweep as I pace forward. I don’t stop moving until the gun clicks empty.

Cade and Gabriel spring up, ready to fire. A man peeks from a hatch in the floor, taking aim.

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