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It’s a long way up the stairwell, but the elevators would truly be suicide. By the time we reach the thirtieth floor, we’ve lost three men to a downpour of bullets from above.
But the enemy is just as tired as we are. Fire seizes as we all stay close to the walls.
I drop my head back and grimace. My fucking foot is vehemently protesting anymore steps.
Another round of fire pinpoints on of the shooter’s location. The guard beside me, Tanner, nods and we move simultaneously to attack, sending a round of shots in his direction.
It’s a blind sort of attack, but it works. The man screams as he plummets from the upper level, past us, and slams into the ground far below.
“You good, boss?” Tanner asks.
I touch my shoulder where a bullet must have grazed me. “Fine. Keep going.”
When we reach the thirty-fifth floor, my suspicion that this would be used as home base is confirmed. Almost as soon as we exit the stairwell, Tanner goes down.
If we experienced a battle on the way up, what we encounter here is an all-out war. Men I hired myself, men I trusted to keep me safe, are against me now.
But there are vacillators. Guys that hesitate to shoot their own boss. And that is where we have the advantage.
As the fighting ensues around me, I head toward my office. I take out two goons on my way. Fools that brought knives to a gunfight, but don’t know how to use them.
However, the big guy blocking the doorway does. Him, I don’t recognize. Must be one of Marco’s additions.
I pull the trigger of my gun, only to discover the bullet is jammed in the chamber. “Fuck!”
He grins. “Your little gun break?”
“Yeah. Lucky for me, I got this.” From the holster on my side, I tug out my nine-inch blade.
“Ooh. Finally, some fun.” He tosses his gun to the side and pulls out his own knife. “Come on, then. Let’s play.” His grin widens and he motions for me to come to him.
I’m a good fighter. It’s what I did years ago. How I made my money. However, I know when I’m outweighed.
“Some other time,” I tell him as I slice my hand through the air, sending all my nine inches straight into his skull.
He takes a step forward, and for a moment, I wonder if it’s possible he could have survived the blow. But it’s just an involuntary spasm I guess, because not a second later, he slams into the floor face first.
I step over the puddle of blood that’s definitely going to be a beast to clean, pausing to glance at Mason’s desk, wondering if he made it out or if he’s dead. Or worse, if he’s one of the traitors. When I continue into my office and see who’s waiting for me, I stop dead in my tracks.
Sitting in my chair, is none other than the person who warned me not to trust anyone.
“Gustavo,” I say to the head of my security detail.
“Mr. Alexander. I’m glad you’ve made it here safely. I must admit, I’m impressed.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “You’re behind this?”
He shakes his head. “I’m merely a consultant.”
“What the fuck does that mean? Is Patrick in on this?” I demand.
He doesn’t reply. Instead, he surges from his seat and moves to stare out the window. “Do you know it’s been years since I’ve seen the sunlight? I mean, truly? I’m always here. Always protecting you.”
“You get paid well for that,” I remind him.
“Not as well as Alan Tyler. Remember him?”
“The Chaser?”
