Page 7 of The Vigilante's Lover
He laughs again as we pass through to the main lobby.
“Nice save,” Sam whispers. “Colette’s out front in a black Lexus sedan.” As we approach the door, his guard badge goes red. He frowns. “Pick me up at the employee entrance around the corner.” He turns and disappears down a side hall.
I resist the urge to glance at the camera bubbles on the ceiling. I pass by the visitor entrance queue and exit through the wide front doors. The sun blinds me momentarily as I squint in search of Colette. I need not wait long. Within seconds, a sleek black sedan pulls up on a silent electric engine. The passenger door pops open.
“Someone call for a lift?” Colette’s voice calls from inside, her French accent tickling the words.
I slide into the seat. When the door is closed, I let out a sigh. “You have no idea how good this feels,” I say as I sink into the supple leather.
Colette laughs, her dark bob bouncing against her cheeks. “It is good to see you, too, Jax.”
“You know how glad I am you’re here,” I say.
“Sam get stuck?” Concern crosses her brow, a crease forming below the short bangs.
“Employees can’t exit the front,” I say. “I warned him.”
“He thought he rerouted that badge.”
“Go around the corner,” I say. “He’ll be along.” I have utter faith in Sam’s ability to get out of a tight spot. Besides, he’s a legitimate Vigilante. Unless they tie him to me immediately, he’s golden.
Colette inches the car along the front of the compound, then pulls around to the side. We both scan the gates for openings, side exits, and vulnerable spots in case we have to make a hard getaway.
Minutes tick by.
“Where is he?” Her voice has an edge of fear. “We had to kill communication since we could be overheard.”
The door opens, but instead of Sam, Johnson comes out. He spotsthe black car and heads straight for us.
“Are we compromised?” Colette asks. “Should we go?” She reaches for the acceleration switch.
I hold out my arm to stop her. “I am not leaving Sam.”
Johnson comes right up to the blacked-out window to peer in. As soon as his nose is close to the glass, I open the door with enough force to break his nasal bone.
He falls back in a stagger, blood dripping down his face. I step out of the car and wait for him to look up.
“Shit,” he says. “You?”
“The one and only,” I say. I’m not interested in getting his blood on my new suit, so instead of hitting him again, I pinch the nerve in his neck that will drop him cleanly.
His knees buckle. I don’t bother to spare him from collapsing facedown on the asphalt.
Sam smashes through the door. “Get ready to roll,” he calls out. Behind him are two other guards.
I step back inside the car. “Impeccable timing,” I tell him.
“Go,” he says as he dives into the backseat.
Colette wheels us away. The guards give chase for a moment, but once Colette punches the nitrous acceleration, they fall behind. One stops to speak into his lapel radio. Won’t matter. In moments we are past the gate.
“Nice work, you two,” I say. “I owe you both a drink.”
“Cut it too close,” says Sam from the backseat, “so you can add that to our tab. Hope your money’s good.” He rolls down the window and tosses his guard badge out onto the asphalt.
“Always,” I say. Not that Sam needs money. Every Vigilante has access to any amount necessary, without question.
Sam claps my shoulder. “God damn, it’s good to have you back,” he says.
