Page 37 of Blake

Chapter Sixteen

One second, she had been teasing Blake, the next she was on her back on the floor of the balcony with Blake’s body pressing her into the hard surface. She heard the unmistakable sound of a bullet hitting glass and tried to peek out from the man on top of her.

He lifted his head and looked at her “We need to get inside.”

Pax nodded her assent, her heart beating hard in her chest. Taking her hand in his, Blake rolled and shoved her in front of him, his hand on her head keeping her low as they dove for the sliding glass door. She felt another bullet hit the wall next to her ear as they reached the door and she fell inside with Blake behind her.

He closed the door and locked it before quickly hitting the button on the electric-close curtains to stop the shooter seeing in and having an open target. Not satisfied with that, Blake grabbed her hand and moved them towards the bedroom. The window in there faced a different outlook and the curtains were already drawn.

Not letting go of her, he pulled her closer and took out his phone. “Waggs, it’s me. We have a sniper on the roof of the building opposite our balcony. Fucker just shot at us.” Pax watched him nod. “Come here first, I’m coming with you.”

The look on his face was determined as he hung up. Without a word he hooked her around the back of her neck with his hand and brought her head to his chest, kissing the top in a tender gesture which bellied the situation.

He held her for a second in silence. “Thought I was gonna lose you then, Gracie.”

Pax pulled up and saw the anger and fear in his eyes. Her heart beat harder but for a different reason now. “You would never let that happen, Blake. You’re too good at what you do.”

Blake shook his head. “Not good enough. I never should have taken you out there. It was fucking stupid.”

Pax hated that he was beating himself up over this but had no time to reassure the stubborn man as a knock sounded on the door. Letting her go, he strode from the bedroom to the door like a man on a mission. Pax stayed by the bedroom, her shoulder leaning on the jamb.

Checking the peephole, he unlocked the door and Decker, Reid, and Waggs walked inside. Decker moved closer to her and Reid and Waggs stayed close to the door.

Blake headed back to the bedroom and grabbed his gun from the side of the bed, tucking it into a holster at his shoulder. Shrugging a jacket on, he moved to stand in front of her and grasped her hips pulling her close. “Decker is going to stay with you while we check things out. Do what he says and stay away from the windows. I don’t trust that they won’t start shooting randomly. I’ll be back soon.”

Pax nodded. He kissed her hard and quick and then he was gone the door closing behind him. Decker locked it and slid the chain across as an added measure.

Pax shivered feeling the cold as her adrenalin crashed. Her ribs ached from hitting the ground but that was nothing compared to the fear she felt knowing Blake was out there facing a crazy person with a gun.

Moving to the coffee machine near the bar she made herself a cup and held it up. “You want coffee, Decker?”

Decker shook his head. “No, thanks. I don’t drink it.”

Pax pulled back with a frown. “Really?”

Decker chuckled, his eyes crinkling making him look even more devastating. Decker was slim, tall, fit, and wore a suit like Captain America wore spandex—like it was made for him. Which if the label was any indication, it probably was.

“I limit my coffee intake to one a day. That shit’s not good for you if you drink it like pop.”

Pax took a sip of the fragrant brew and shrugged. “I’ll take my chances.”

Pax moved to the sofa that was out of the line of the window and sat, curling her leg underneath her and cupping the mug for comfort. Decker was on his phone doing something and she took the time to go over the shooting in her mind. It had played out so fast she hadn’t had time to think—just react.

It was difficult to tell who the shooter had been aiming for, her or Blake. She assumed her as this was her nightmare they were trying to figure out. But equally, Blake was sure to have made enemies over the years doing what he did. Another thing she realised was that either the person shooting at them was incompetent or he hadn’t wanted to kill them. They had been like sitting ducks out there. A true professional like Lucy or Mitch would have hit their target with no problems. The night was clear and dry with nothing to impede the shot.

“They shouldn’t be long,” Decker said as he came to sit beside her leaving a foot of space between them.

“Good.”

She was anxiously watching the door when her cell phone rang. Lifting it from the table, Pax saw it was her mother, which was odd. She never called unless it was to berate her for not visiting. She hit decline not wanting to deal with her mother again today. Pax could feel Decker watching her. Her phone rang again, and her senses sharpened as if knowing something was up.

Knowing she couldn’t ignore it a second time she sighed and answered. “Hello, Mom.”

“Grace, where have you been?” The urgency in her mother’s voice made her sit forward and put down her mug.

“What’s the matter?” Her mother was always calm, almost to the point of boredom.

“Your father had a heart attack.” Her mom’s voice cracked on the last words, and Pax heard the sound of tears in her ear over the sound of her heart thundering in her chest.