Page 64 of Jacqueline's Quest

“Keep your shoes on. It’s a bitch to run in heels, but it’s better than fucking your feet up.”

She nodded. “I will.”

“Everyone, if you find one of the targets call it out,” Thomas yelled. “The meter’s running and we’re almost out of time.”

“Why do I feel like we’re in a Die Hard movie?” Murray grunted. “You know, it's one of the better Christmas movies ever made.”

Thomas shook his head. “It’s not a fucking Christmas movie. Focus, please.”

Murray chuckled. “It’s totally a Christmas movie.”

“Special Forces is here,” Noah said. “Target has been neutralized.”

Thomas let out a breath. “Roger that. Don’t let your guards down though. We don’t know who is friendly or foe in here. And someone get me some fucking light.”

“Working on it,” Duncan said.

Murray didn't care about anyone else. His focus was on Hannah and finding her. Yet, through all the chaos, he didn't know where to begin. The area was a mess. Even in the darkness, the faint light from the outside illuminated the space, showing just how bad it was for them. Bodies lay strewn about. The exit to the left had been a cluster of stacked bodies, each one falling on the next as they'd been shot. The coppery smell of blood mixed with gunpowder and sulfur clung to the air, making it almost impossible to breathe. He'd seen some shit in his lifetime, but this... This didn't even compare to Colombia. In his estimates, this was worse.

He got to his feet, trying to figure out were in all the mass carnage his sister could be, but he was blind. Until they got some light, it would be impossible for them to find anything. He stepped toward the group, glad that at least Jaqueline was safe in a room until he could get her out. It gave him time to concentrate on his sister. Though, he also knew Jaqueline would be pissed off she couldn’t stay and fight.

“Scotty’s glasses!” AJ held them in her hand. “I’ve got his glasses.”

“Where’s my fucking lights?” Thomas hollered.

“Here,” Duncan answered, throwing a switch.

The lights came on and the scene of destruction became clear. More than three-quarters of the people who'd been having fun only minutes ago were dead now. Their features were twisted in pain and fear. It shouldn't have bothered Murray because of who they were, but again, they weren't judge and jury, their mission was to shut the place down, not kill anyone. He glanced around the area, taking in devastation and shook his head. There was nothing left. Nothing at all. The club was a shell of the formal pristineness. It seemed as though every breath he took the building creaked. If they didn’t hurry up, he feared the upper floors would come down on them.

AJ gasped. “Blood.”

They followed the trail around the side, Thomas taking the lead. There they were. Who, Murray couldn’t say for sure, since they were covered in dirt and blood, but they were alive. Murray’s heart pounded as Thomas knelt beside them. “Hannah? Christian? My name is Thomas, I’m with the FBI. I’m here with your brother, Murray and your sister, Jaqueline to rescue you.”

A woman peered up at him. Her cheeks were smeared with blood and dirt. A boy beside her poked his head up as well. Both were frightened out of their minds and he couldn’t blame them, so was he. Hannah. Relief flooded Murray. She was okay, if not a little battered and bruised. He wanted to reach out and grab her, though he feared he might scare her more than anything. It was, after all, a traumatic situation.

“AJ?” Hannah murmured. “Is there an AJ?”

“Here,” AJ answered. “I’m right here. Is... Is Scotty with you?”

The woman nodded. “He’s been shot.”

AJ whimpered. “How bad?”

“Calf,” Hannah answered. “I-I tied it off and put pressure on it. He-he passed out.”

“Noah, get me a medic and an ambulance. Looks like we’re going to a hospital,” Thomas said.

“On it,” Noah answered. “How bad?”

“Not sure, but Scotty’s had the shit beat out of him too, so the primary injury could be causing additional issues with the secondary wound.” Thomas hurried to the other side of the stage.

“Understood,” Noah replied. “Standby.”

Thomas smiled Hannah. “You must be Hannah. Your brother has missed you.”

A sob broke loose from her as she launched herself into Thomas’ arms. Her jagged cries ripped at Murray’s heart. He needed to get to her, however, his feet kept him planted where he was. He forced his feet to move, not wanting to waste another second, though worried how she’d react to him. When he first saw him, she’d been so docile and quiet, now, with the worst of it over, he feared she might be angry with him. Illogical as it might seem, she could also blame him for not finding her sooner. Or, she might hate him. Either way, he also knew he couldn’t stand the thought of not holding her one more time.

“Hey now,” Thomas said. “You’re safe. You’re all safe now. Murray, you want to come see your sister?”

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