Page 24 of Bullseye
Those assholes tossed a brick through her window.
Checking the kitchen and doing a quick once-over of the place, I’m grateful she’s living in a studio apartment. Fewer places for anyone to hide.
“I’m here,” I snarl. “Don’t turn on any lights. Stay low. Slide out of bed, and hide on the side farthest from the window.” Damn, how I wish she had a regular bed that she could climb under. “Do not move until I tell you to.”
In my peripheral vision, I see her shimmy out of bed, doing exactly what I told her to do. Even though it’s the right thing to do, it strikes me as odd. Even the most terrified people ask questions when you don’t want them to. What’s going on? What’s happening?
Because most people don’t understand the gravity of the situation… So, why the hell does she? No. There’s no time for questions about her right now. I have to be clear-headed.
“Sen, how many closets are in here?”
“Just the two. The linen closet by the bathroom behind me, and the coat closet by the door.”
If anyone were in here—which, based on the brick coming through the window, I doubt they are—the likely spot for them to hide is the bathroom. Which means, she is in the most vulnerable spot in the apartment.Stay cool, Bullseye, stay cool.
No, I would have known if someone had broken in here. Unless… they did it when I dozed off…
Using breathing control to tame my heartbeat that wants to take off into a wild gallop, I crouch low and bound across the apartment. Thankfully, it’s small, and I make it in a few seconds. Checking the bathroom and closet, we’re clear. That leaves the window.
With my gun drawn, I walk toward the window, slowly. Stepping to the side, I press my back flat against the wall beside the window, and bending my elbows, I point the gun toward the ceiling so it’s not facing her. Closing my eyes and calming my breathing, I count to five.
Then, using my free hand, I pull back the curtain and in one swoop, I step into position, pointing my gun out the hole in the window, ready to fire.
Come on, Mikey and Tony. Show your punk-ass, ugly faces. Give me a reason to shoot.
Looking down, I see nothing. Daring a step closer, I point the gun downward, using extra care as I approach a public area with my finger on the trigger. No, I’ve never made a rookie mistake, but I’ve also never before defended someone I cared about.
A woman I cared about.
Checking again from right to left, there’s nothing. Pulling my Ruger back through the hole and keeping it steady in one hand, I push the windows open and glance downward. Nothing.
Okay. There’s only one more place to check, and it has to be fast. This is easily the deadliest direction.
“Sen?” I whisper.
“I’m here. Behind the bed. I can’t get to my gun, it’s locked away.”
Again, I notice she didn’t mentionwhereit was. If there were ever a time that someone were listening, or god forbid, hiding inside the apartment, they’d know where the weapon was. These aren’t the thoughts of a civilian under stress. Damn, this girl knows a whole hell of a lot more than she lets on. So, who the hell is she?
Shaking my head and exhaling, I clear my brain from the clutter. “How many floors is this building?”
“Five.”
“Think hard. Is there a fire escape on this side of the building? Stairs? Platforms?”
“Yes.” Her voice is a whisper, but it doesn’t waver. She’s certain. “Each floor above us has one platform and a set of stairs leading to the next. Looking out the window, the fire escape is on the right side. We only have stairs. There are no apartments to the left of us, so that side is clear.”
Well, shit.
It would not surprise me to find out this girl is CIA. But that doesn’t matter right now. What matters is if there’s anyone outside this window and if there is,whoit is.
Taking a deep breath, I push my torso through the open window and twisting from the waist with my gun drawn and my finger on the trigger, I cover each of the platforms above us.
Nothing. One final sweep up, down, left, and right again, and I’m certain we’re clear.
“All clear,” I tell her, pulling the window shut and drawing the curtains for all the good it will do. “I’m checking the hallway and parking lot. You stay put. There’s no way someone could get up to this window before I get downstairs, but I want to keep you safe. Understand?”
“Yes.”
