Page 61 of Finish Line
“Señor, someone has breached the building. We have our men working on figuring out who and how, but until we get it under control, we need to take everyone to the secure level,” one of his minions explains.
“How in the hell did that happen?” Kevin sneers. He pauses and his face pales. Could it be?
My room is the first of the women’s rooms to be emptied. Miguel, Kevin, Julio, and the two guards are the only people in the hallway with Maria and me. One of Miguel’s minions turns to lead us to the elevators when the doors open.
Five guys in all black, guns raised, are standing there. I squint, trying to get a better look at them and gasp. They shoot the two men in front. Kevin grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks me to his chest. Cold metal comes to the side of my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Julio push Maria behind him and keeps his hands at his hips, palms facing out to show he’s unarmed.
The guys step out of the elevator and my suspicions were right. They’re Savage Menaces. Ratchet and Gunner are in front with Shade and Hollywood behind them. The four of them are surrounding Bull, who steps out between Ratchet and Gunner.
“Ah, Bull. We finally meet again,” Miguel says. His third minion is standing in front of him, so none of the guys can get a direct shot.
“And it’ll be the last time,” Bull tells him. “Let Athena go, and I’ll make your death a quick one.”
“No way in hell are we just going to hand her over to you. Come any closer to her and I’ll blow her brains out,” Kevin hisses out. He digs the gun into my temple, causing me to whimper.
“Have it your way,” Bull states as he lifts his gun. I squeeze my eyes closed tight as gunshots ring out. Kevin’s hold on me disappears as he falls to the floor. I open my eyes to Bull on the floor with Gunner, Shade, and Hollywood rushing in my direction. I dart towards Bull and drop to the floor next to him.
“Jase!” I cry out.
“Goddess,” he mutters. I grab his hand, tears falling down my face. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” I ask.
“For not protectin’ you better,” he whispers as his eyes close.
“Jase? Jase! Wake up! Please, wake up,” I cry.
“Athena, come here,” Ratchet says. “We gotta get him outta here.”
Julio is by my side. “Come on. Let’s get you somewhere safe.”
“Who are you?” I ask him.
“I’ll explain everything soon. But for now, we need to leave. The cops will be here any minute,” he explains.
Ratchet and Gunner hoist Bull up and carry him to the elevator. Maria, Julio, and I follow them.
“What about the others?” I ask.
“Shade and Hollywood will catch the next elevator. We’ll send some guys up to help them,” Ratchet tells me.
We get to the main floor and I’m ushered out the front door, where there are two white vans.
“Climb in,” Ratchet tells us.
I climb into the middle seat while Julio and Maria get in the very back. Ratchet lays Bull across the middle seat, his head resting on my lap. Then he climbs into the front seat.
“We’ll meet you there,” Gunner says to Ratchet as he closes the sliding door. Ratchet nods.
“Let’s roll, Smalls,” Ratchet orders.
I run my fingers through Bull’s hair. Tears drip off my face, falling onto his.
“Please, be okay,” I whisper over and over again. “Please.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Athena
