She threw her hands into the air in surrender. “Fine. Take up my beloved room and don’t feel at all sorry about it.”
The two men high-fived each other and did a series of male knuckle-punching motions that made her laugh and shake her head. “I don’t think we’re all that far from the caveman era,” she pointed out.
Jaimie watched Kane and Mack double-team the sales clerk until he capitulated and agreed to have the beds delivered that afternoon. “You get your way in everything, don’t you,” she demanded as they fell into step to go from the store.
We’re bringing her out, Mack sent to his team.
Marc moved into position in front of them and she saw Lucas drop in behind them. Ethan and Jacob were close, she could sense them, but she didn’t spot them. In spite of knowing the team was in place, her stomach coiled with tension. She remembered she’d excelled in all the training, but it was nerve-wracking moving through crowds of people knowing you were a target and those protecting you were people you loved.
She stayed in step with Marc, sandwiched between Mack and Kane, unless they were forced single file, which the two men managed to avoid most of the time. Jaimie knew they looked intimidating and they projected aggressive energy around them and in front of them, forcing people to unknowingly step out of the path.
Coming out, Mack sent to his team outside.
Clear, Gideon reported.
They stepped out onto the sidewalk, into the bustling crowd, and began to make their way back toward the wharf district. As she walked between them, Jaimie couldn’t stop the small burst of happiness. Each day had been difficult without Mack, but that aside, their presence gave her the freedom to actually be normal for a short period of time. She could eat out, walk down the street, just pretend, for a few moments, that she was like everyone else.
“You don’t really mind the beds, do you, Jaimie?” Mack asked.
“No. I’d never expect you to sleep in a twin bed,” she admitted. “I was just giving you both a hard time. Although I’m not certain we should let Kane near his bed.”
Mack laughed and Jaimie turned her head to get Kane’s reaction when the first warning seized her. The second assault hit right on top of the first.
In the crowd, Mack, he just dropped in behind us. Gideon broadcast the warning.
Shooter on the roof. Second building on the left.
Get him in your sites now, Gideon, Mack commanded. Ethan, can you get around to us with the car?
Lucas moved up behind Jaimie, closing the gap so no one could get between them.
They pushed through the crowd, heading for the corner where Ethan waited with the car. The sidewalk was lined with parked cars and traffic was nearly at a standstill.
No chance. I can get to you on foot.
Stay with the car. We may need it.
I don’t have a clear shot. Get out of there. I’m moving position, Gideon said.
Break to the right now, Jaimie, Mack ordered as he turned into a shop, yanking Jaimie in after him. Kane and Lucas followed. They made no pretense of etiquette, but hurried at a fast pace toward the back of the store. Ethan, bring the car around the block. We’re going out the back.
I’ve got him. He’s moving, trying to get around to get into position for a shot at the car. Green light? Gideon asked.
Take him out, Mack commanded grimly, as he kept moving through the store toward the back door.
Fuck! We’ve got another bogey. Another bogey in the field. I think it’s Superman.
Gideon rarely swore, and Mack brought Jaimie to an abrupt halt, shielding her with his body. He was not willing to bring her onto the street, although they were going out a door a block away with a building between them and the shooter. Mack didn’t know how many they were up against. He wanted numbers and positions. The longer they waited in the store, the more they lost the slim advantage they’d gained.
Shooter down. I think we both nailed him, Gideon reported. That bastard Superman and I are in a standoff, Top. I’m looking right down the business end of his rifle.
Back away. Get off the roof and clear, Gideon, Mack advised. I’m sending backup.
No way. This guy’s good, boss. If he wanted me dead, I’d be dead. We’d both be down because I’d take the son of a bitch with me and he knows it. Don’t provoke him.
I think he’s watching over Jaimie.
Can you get clear?
If not, and I miss him, hunt him down for me.
Don’t get your ass shot off. I’ll be royally pissed.
Royally pissed? Not just plain pissed?
Jaimie felt the tension coiled tight in Mack’s body. She reached out, knowing they needed the positions of their enemies. She let her mind expand. She felt the violence of a kill, the dark energy spreading like bloodstains through the air, rushing straight at her. Hurrying, she expanded her mind, seeking enemies, tracking her boys, her family, the men guarding her.
There was Gideon on the roof, his energy a mixture of adrenaline, fear, and determination, and she knew she could read him only because he’d pulled the trigger and violence surrounded him like a net. Javier raced through the crowd to come up on their flank as they emerged. Lucas guarded the front door of the shop. Marc sprinted to take up his position to cover them. People were moving around like chess players on a board. She reached even further in an effort to find the hard-core violent energy of intent to do harm.
He’s in the crowd, near Javier. Coming around the block to intercept us. She tried to get the message out to them all before the killing energy hit with lethal force. The wave blasted through her head, hit her nervous system, nearly driving her to her knees.
“Damn it, Jaimie.” Mack slipped his arm around her to support her. She was bleeding from her nose and another thin trickle leaked down the side of her mouth. “I need you strong.”
“Mack.” Kane’s voice was quiet. Calm. “She told us where he was. Let’s go.”
They ignored the clerk trying to wave them away from the door marked emergency exit only and pushed their way through. Lucas fell in behind them as they burst out onto the street and into the middle of a crowd. Traffic was backed up and snarling, horns blaring and fingers gesturing obscenely as Ethan kept the Cadillac blocking the lane right off the back door.
Mack and Kane half carried Jaimie as she coughed blood onto the sidewalk. Javier burst through the crowd on his skateboard just as Lucas whirled to face the threat coming up behind him. The skateboarder flashed past Jaimie as Mack simply leaned down and shouldered her, sprinting for the vehicle. Javier kept going and someone in the crowd screamed, hands up in the air as blood sprayed over them. A man stumbled and went down, still clutching his unfired weapon in his hand.