Page 70 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Maddie Cooper. BlackWater.” She said.

He narrowed his eyes. “Get here now.” He ordered and she sighed walking down the steps slowly, knowing that whatever was about to happen wouldn’t be good for her. But what choice had she had? She could hardly sit there and wait for Aidan while half of Black Industries got killed.

She got halfway to the bottom and someone stepped up behind her, yanking the rifle out of her hand and ramming their own into her back, pushing her forward and she half stumbled down the final steps, feeling her damn leg almost give out.

She gritted her teeth, forcing down the pain. Now is not the time to fall apart Maddie, she thought as she kept her eyes focused on the arsehole in front of her.

“Maddie Cooper.” The man said as she got nearer. “Aren’t you just the prettiest thorn in my side?” He said and she rolled her eyes.

“Fuck off.” She muttered and he laughed.

“You’ve got some balls.” He said.

“More than you, shooting unarmed women.” She said.

He laughed again before turning to Cole, Brandon, and Thomas.

She saw the movement out of the corner of her eye, a glimpse of it in the window, telling her Aidan was there. About bloody time, she thought before quickly scanning the room. Two men were to her left, four to her right and she was certain there were six spread out around the room behind her.

And then the main man nodded. Just like he had last time. Signalling for someone to pull the trigger.

Maddie pulled the knife in an instant and threw it, barely looking at the target across the room but hearing the sound as the blade embedded into the man’s throat and he gurgled up blood as he hit the ground. Eleven left, she thought, flipping round, grabbing the rifle by the barrel and half throwing the man holding it before twisting it round and shooting him in the stomach. Ten left.

“Fucking kill her.” The man on the stage yelled and she dropped to the floor. The sound of gunfire echoed around her but she kept moving, shooting one, two, three of them as she spun round, praying to god that none of their bullets hit her. She’d been there, done that, and it had fucked her body up enough already.

She threw herself against a knocked over chair, using it almost as a shield before taking out another of them. Someone fired behind her and she flipped round, shooting on instinct but still hitting him right between his eyebrows and then the man at the centre shouted out.

She turned looking at him. He was armed now. He had a pistol. It looked tiny compared to all the oversized assault rifles. And he was pointing it right at Cole’s head.

She didn’t hesitate, she didn’t think. She took aim and pulled the trigger.

The man fell, with one single shot to his forehead, his pistol clattering to the ground and the whole room fell silent.

Cole stared at her, his eyes half fury, half disbelief, as she stared back at him, meeting his gaze with a hard, cold stare, still pointing her rifle, still holding her position.

Still completely in control.

Behind them the main doors burst open and the Armed Response Team ran in, weapons raised, taking control.

“Everyone on the ground.” Aidan yelled and Maddie turned, slipping the safety back on before dropping the weapon at her feet and holding her hands up.

“Fucking hell Maddie.” He said looking around. “I thought I said to wait outside.”

“You know me, that’s not my style.” She said back and he laughed.

“There are five bodies upstairs. I couldn’t do a full sweep so there might be some unwanted guests too.” Maddie said to Aidan and he nodded before sending his team up.

“Bulletproof my arse.” Brandon said loudly. “Maddie the assassin more like.”

She laughed before looking at Cole again and the smile on her face dropped at the look he was giving her. Right there, in front of everyone.

He walked up to her ignoring Brandon, ignoring the entire room of people. “You are something else.” He said.

“I might remind you of that later.” She said quietly and he smirked.

“Let’s get everyone out of here. Reckon this meeting is over for today.” Brandon said and Cole nodded still not taking his eyes from her.

Maddie sat in the ambulance,feeling as always like it was a waste of time. She wasn’t shot. She wasn’t injured except for her face.

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