Page 24 of Explode
“Any clue where they are inside the club?” Miles asked.
“The heat sources are in the middle, here,” Ash replied, pointing tothe screen showing a large orange blob. “There’s been some movement from this area to here.” He pointed from the group of orange blobs to a single blob in the back of the club.
“That’s the main stage area,” I said, pointing to the area in the middle.“And that’s Diana’s old office.” I pointed to the office in the back. I’d worked in Club Sin for the best part of three years, I knew the place like the back of my hand.
“Thought so. And aside from the front, is this the only other exit?” Hepointed to the back of the club where there was an exit.
“And here,” I replied, reaching up and pointing to the emergency exitat the side of the building.
“No exits from the cellar?”
“Nope.”
“Good, makes life easy,” Tank said, taking one of the guns Danhanded him.
“What’s the plan?” Miles asked, also taking a gun from Dan.Ordinarily, Miles was always armed, but because we’d had to go unarmed to the meeting with the Bianchis, he’d forgone it.
As for me, I’d so far managed to go without carrying a gun. I’d hadplenty of lessons, and I wasn’t the worst shot after months of practice, but if I could avoid shooting a gun, I would.
Sensing my reluctance, Miles shoved his gun in my hand. “Time tostep up, Riley.”
Having no choice but to take the weapon from his hand, I stareddown at it like it had personally offended me. I always knew it was a matter of time before I’d have to use a gun outside of target practice, I just hadn’t realized it would be today.
“Tank covers the back,” Ash said, pointing to the screen so there wasno mistaking where the back of the club was. “Dan and I take the front. You guys cover the side exit. We’ll approach from all angles, and take them by surprise.”
“What do you want to do with Alex?” Miles asked me, taking anearpiece from Ash and putting it in his ear.
I didn’t feel the slightest hint of guilt. Alex was responsible for his ownactions, he’d chosen to become Hendrix’s little bitch. He chose to pull the trigger and kill Jacqueline. He had to realize actions had consequences.
“He doesn’t die. Not yet. He’ll get the same treatment as everyoneelse and then we’ll return his body to Hendrix like we’ve done with the others.”
A look of pride crossed Miles’ face as he gave me a nod.
“Let’s do this then. You ready?” Ash said, his dark eyes burning intomine.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
With that, Tank fired up the van and hit the gas. Adrenaline floodedme as we shot across the main road and pulled into the parking lot at the front of Club Sin. The second the van came to a stop, Dan slid the door open, and jumped out, followed by Ash and Miles.
I didn’t have time to consider what was happening or what I wasabout to do. Ignoring my racing heart, I jumped out, following Miles as he broke away from Dan and Ash who headed for the front door. As we sprinted down the alley that ran alongside the club, I briefly saw Tank disappear down the other side, heading towards the back.
“Stay close,” Miles instructed as we reached the side wall. He led theway, and I stayed right behind him.
Miles and the others had trained me for moments like this. I knew tostay close, to let him clear the way. My responsibility was to make sure no one attacked from behind. If they did, I couldn’t hesitate, I would have to fire.
But practice was a hell of a lot different from reality, and I couldn’tstop the gun from shaking in my hands.
When we reached the door, Miles paused, waiting for the signal thatthe others were in place. We didn’t have to wait long.
“Let’s go,” Miles said, kicking the emergency exit door open. It flewopen with a bang, and Miles sprinted forward.
How Kai used to enjoy doing shit like this, I would never know. I wasfucking terrified. My legs felt like jelly as I followed behind Miles, and within seconds gunfire echoed from somewhere within the club.
I ran behind Miles along the hallway that led us passed the old VIProoms, and we burst into the main stage area. Miles immediately joined in the gunfight.
One body was already on the floor, bleeding from a hole in his head.Two men were hiding behind tables, firing back at Dan and Ash. Another three turned towards Miles as soon as we burst in and started firing at us. Tank was nowhere to be seen but gunshots echoed from the hallway that led to the back where Diana’s office was.
Movement from my left caught my eye as Miles shoved me back inthe doorway we’d just come from, protecting me from taking any bullets. I turned in time to see Alex standing behind the bar and looking back at the commotion in the main area, his mouth open in horror, and then like the coward he was, he turned and ran.
