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Through this new dusty smokey haze, I could barely see Kaz’s silhouette right next to me.
His men—now more like shadows than people—formed a tight circle around us, their guns at the ready, scanning for threats through the chaos.
The smell of gunpowder and the iron tang of blood hung heavy in the air, mixing with the acrid bite of smoke.
Come on. Why couldn’t shit have just gone right tonight?
I gripped the Glock tighter. “What do we do?”
Kaz’s voice cut through the chaos. “We need to move.”
“Yeah.” I glanced back and forth. “But, which way do you think is the best way?”
“We can go back into the main room, but head straight for the bathrooms and climb out the windows. We should come out in an alley.”
I thought about Max and Valentina. “We can’t just leave everyone.”
“Mysh—”
“There might be people in the front who need our help.”
Kaz’s expression hardened, his jaw clenching further. “Listen to me. Right now, our priority is getting out alive. If we get trapped or killed, we can’t help anyone.”
I knew he was right, but the thought of leaving others behind twisted in my gut like a knife.
More bombs exploded with deafening roars.
Again, both in the front and behind us.
The ground shook.
Kaz grabbed my free hand.
“The enemy’s plan is to create a death trap.” He pointed to the back. “They are bombing the exits, forcing everyone towards the center.”
“Fuck.”
“It is a classic pincer move—squeeze the life out of the target. I have used it before. It is designed to kill as many as possible either by fire, explosion, or smoke.”
The horror of his words sank in.
I coughed through the smoke. “So we get to the bathrooms—”
“And then climb out the windows.”
“Alright.” I kicked off my heels, knowing I couldn’t run in them. “Just let me know when to run, baby.”
“Once we are out, we find cover, assess, and then help everyone else.”
My nerves flared. “Got it.”
His plan was clear, his leadership unquestionable. In that moment, despite the fear, despite the chaos, a strange sense of confidence washed over me.
Kaz was in his element, and we would be okay.
Suddenly, the sound of shattered glass and the heavy thud of boots announced the arrival of people rushing through the back.
Come the fuck on. First, you bombed us. Then, you run in to shoot us.
