Page 29 of Hostile Rival
Across the divide, Dani waits, never taking her eyes off us.
“Do you want to die up here?” I turn to the girl. “Either jump or burn. Your call.”
When I take a step away, she launches herself at me, clawing at my vest. “Please, I––I?—”
I feel my chest tighten. Once upon a time, this was Dani. Caught up in the criminal underworld. Scared. This petrified woman isn’t my enemy.
“Look…” I sigh heavily, thumbing a tear from her cheek. “One jump and you’re safe. Take my hand and we’ll do it together.”
“I shouldn’t trust you…not when I can’t even see your face.”
“You don’t need to. After this, your life will return to normal, and you’ll never see me again.”
“Yeah, normal.” A faint smile dances over her lips and she slips her shaky hand into mine, exhaling a tattered breath. “My name is Giana, in case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t,” I reply, curt. “After three, we jump.”
A single gunshot cracks through the atmosphere, causing me to duck. My gaze immediately hunts for Dani, locating her soldier-like stance with the barrel of her rifle raised, having fired a warning shot into the sky.
I smile, fully aware it's undetectable. Is she jealous or impatient––or both?
Together, Giana and I back up and after the count of three we both start to run. By the time we land on the sunbaked flat roof of the opposite building, my veins are buzzing.
When I look skyward, all I see is Dani and her silver eyes glaring at me like laser beams. My heart thumps faster, and it’s not from the buzz of scaling rooftops.
It’sher.
My partner in crime.
Not breaking eye contact, I rise to my full height and grin. The corners of my eyes crease, whereas hers narrow like she’s scowling at me or huffing.
In that second of mutual consideration, a bomb blast shoots debris everywhere and a mass of black smoke clouds the blue sky.
Giana huddles into my side like a frightened kid and Dani just stands there, unaffected by the danger, her gaze drilling into the woman dominating my personal space.
My little firecracker is into me––no matter how hard she tries to deny it.
“Come on, guys. It’s time to go.” Falcon's Irish accent comes through the airwaves. “The cops will be here any minute. We’re already in the van and on the move.”
“We have your coordinates,” Gator announces. “Head down the stairs and turn right when you get outside. I’ll keep you straight.”
“Coming now.” I nod at Dani and jog to the steel door in the middle of the roof terrace with our target tight to my hip.
I won’t give her the chance to run.
“Are you taking me home?” Giana pants as we descend the floors on a winding staircase.
I ignore her, too focused on the exit plan. The last thing we need is to be compromised by civilians or have the police hot on our heels. Breaking onto the street, people are everywhere, and the distant wail of sirens gives me goosebumps.
I’m pumped. Working alongside Dani is a treat I never expected to enjoy.
She takes the lead, weaving through the crowd and sticking to the shadows. Every so often, she checks over her shoulder to make sure we’re still following and ensure there’s a safe distance from the girl for her to speak freely.
“Where to now?” she asks, and I hear it through my earpiece.
“Go down the alleyway on your left. We’ll be waiting at the end of it.” Gator assures us.
Dani darts across the street. “Understood.”
