Page 31 of Damien’s Mate

There was no bomb, but there might as well have been. The entire place had been trashed. Rostov and his men had searched everywhere, dumped all the drawers, swept everything off the shelves, slit all the furniture cushions.

Lila seemed remarkably calm as she picked her way through the wreckage. It took Damien a minute to figure out why.

None of the wrecked items were personal. This had only been a place to stay, never a home.

He suddenly wondered if Lila had ever had a home. Or if she’d always just been a soldier.

She said, “Be careful what you say. Or do. He’s probably hidden surveillance equipment in here in case I come back.”

“Then we better get out of here quick.”

“Yeah. I just wish he wasn’t going to see what I’ve got—or even that I’ve got it.”

Damien didn’t like that idea either. “Then maybe we should give him something else to think about.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to, hooman?”

“Creating a distraction.”

She stared at him a moment longer, then gave a brief nod and headed down the short hall that led to the bedroom and bath, stopping at the linen closet. Everything had been pulled out of it, and she began tossing things aside so she could get to the floor of the closet.

Damien got out his cell and dialed Vic Salzano’s private number—which he wasn’t supposed to even have. He believed in being prepared, even if he was no Boy Scout.

The phone was answered by Louie Rizzio. “You’re a dead man, Fernandez,” he said by way of greeting.

“Now, is that any way to talk to the guy who saved dozens of lives last night? Including yours and Salzano’s? Not to mention that I’m the guy who’s about to make you into Vic’s golden boy forever and ever.”

“And how are you planning on pulling off this miracle?”

He looked down the hallway and saw Lila muttering something under her breath. The floor of the linen closet glowed blue with magic.

Damned if he wasn’t getting used to that.

He said to Rizzio, “I’ve been tailing that thief who stole Vic’s book, and Rostov is on his way to come and get it. Better tell your guys to beat him here.” He gave Rizzio the address.

Lila appeared at his elbow with a metal case about the size of an attaché case, and a duffel over her shoulder that was probably her ‘go bag’—everything she needed for a quick escape.

“What the hell was that?” she demanded as he ended the call. “Rostov’s probably already on his way, and now you’ve invited Salzano? Are you insane?”

“Probably. But I figure our best chance for getting out of here is to sneak out while they’re fighting each other.”

“Personally, I’d rather leave before any of that happens.”

Damien looked out the window. A black sedan was pulling up in front of the building. Another identical one kept going, turning the corner and heading for the alley.

“Too late,” he said. “They’re here.”

Chapter 13

“How many?” Lila asked, coming to the window.

Men in suits were piling out of the first car. “Looks like four in front of the building, four in back.”

“Then it’s a good thing the balcony’s on the side.”

She pulled a log-shaped bundle out from behind the couch and tossed it to him. “Fire ladder.”

“Nice.” He should have known she’d have it covered. Opening the sliding glass door, he hooked the top of the ladder to the balcony railing and let it unroll.