Page 62 of Corey
Pulling in a steadying breath, she focused on the problem at hand. Jumping wasn’t the best idea because she was high enough to hurt herself when she landed. Plus, the guard outside would probably see her.
Turning around, she scanned the luxurious suite, taking in the deep red velvet couch, end tables with gold leaf lamps and an expensive-looking Oriental rug. Beyond the sitting room, she saw a huge four-poster bed, the vertical posts at each corner designed to appear constructed of solid gold. She refused to go anywhere near it.
Maybe she could find something to use as a weapon. Because she had no illusions about Barrera being a good guy.He looked like the kind of man who enjoyed inflicting pain. And the way his black eyes had skated down her body, as though he couldn’t wait to tear her clothes off, left her chilled to the bone.
Just as she debated on grabbing a lamp and maybe using it to knock someone out, the door unlocked and her heart sank as Barrera walked in, swiftly closing and locking the door again.
God, he made her skin crawl. It had nothing to do with his looks, which were fairly attractive, and everything to do with the cold, cruel vibe he emanated.
As if to prove her point, his lip curved up as he said, “Take your clothes off.”
She took a step back, shaking her head. Terror shot through her system, threatening to break her.Keep it together,she told herself.Corey would want you to be strong.
“Is that your real color? Like gold?” he asked, eyeing her hair. His hands twitched at his sides as though he couldn’t wait to touch it.
“No,” she lied.
“That’s a shame. I prefer natural blondes.”
A shiver tore down her spine as she took another step back…and into his bedroom.
Maybe she could try bargaining her way out of this. Looking to the left, she spotted a table with a decorative container full of flowers. Or, better yet, she could bash his head in with that priceless-looking vase.
Flexing her fingers, biding her time, she waited for him to make a move.
“Why are you still dressed?” he demanded. When she didn’t respond, he slipped his hand beneath his silk shirt and removed a knife. The blade gleamed with several gems encrusted in the handle. “I won’t say it again.”
Sera swallowed hard, fighting her fear, and getting ready to dart sideways and swipe up the vase. Although she wasn’t sure how effective it would be to bring a vase to a knife fight.
“Strip, walk over to the bed and get on your hands and knees. Ass in the air.”
You’re not a victim.
Instead of hearing her own voice or her therapist’s voice, she heard Corey say the words.
“You wish,” she said as strength surged through her with the sudden force of a lightning bolt. As his eyes narrowed, she darted sideways, grabbed the vase and dumped the flowers and water. Holy hell, it was heavy.
Barrera rushed forward, black eyes glinting with fury, knife lifting. “You bitch. I’m going to fuck every hole in your body then cut your insides out.”
As she lifted the vase, preparing to smash it against his ugly, hate-filled face, an enormous explosion shook the house and she stumbled sideways, losing her balance. Careening into the table, she dropped the vase, and it smashed into a thousand pieces at her feet.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Corey and Xander charged straight across the rear lawn, heading for the back door, while Brand and Chaz moved left, and Lex and Jayson went right. The others would surround and clear the ground floor, while Corey and Xander would head straight upstairs to search for Sera.
The minute they got the door open, a cloud of black smoke poured out. Pulling his gaiter higher, Corey plowed into the thick soot and dust, racing forward. The open layout of the house encouraged the smoke and flames to spread fast. He glanced toward what used to be the entranceway and saw a big hole in the wall where the RPG had breached. It most likely detonated on contact, and fragments and debris covered the floor. Nearby flames ignited anything flammable.
The explosion had compromised the integrity and structure of the house. They needed to find Sera as soon as possible and get her to safety.
“Incoming,” Xander said, nodding to the skull-faced crew charging through the gaping hole and busting into the mansion.
“Up!” Corey and Xander took the steps two at a time, their boots pounding up the grand staircase. It branched halfway up, and they stuck to the left, staying close to the wall. Moments later, several of Barrera’s soldiers appeared.
Corey lifted his Glock, aimed and fired three shots.Chest. Chest. Head. Down.He wasn’t fucking around. Beside him,Xander eliminated another one. They dropped the last man standing, reached the top of the staircase and paused. Below them, all hell broke loose as the first floor flooded with warring cartel members.
“This is turning into a shit show,” Brand said through their comms. “Initiate Plan C!”
Grabbing the flash bang off his belt, Corey heard another explosion downstairs. One of the Motley Crew had tossed a grenade. If they were blowing shit up already, it wasn’t a good sign. Normally that was the last resort. But he didn’t want to start tossing grenades yet because his gut told him Sera was nearby. The last thing he wanted was for her to get caught in the crossfire.
