Then the boys are pushing through a door that leads to a brightly lit back room. Compared to the flashing lights in the club, the fluorescent lighting is like stepping into a sunny day on the beach. This commercial kitchen serves up the bar food for the hungry villains out there dancing the night away.
“Oi, I didn’t know you lot were coming around tonight,” Nitro calls out when he sees the guys. His gaze flicks to Rebel, not betraying any hint of the hushed phone call she had with him less than an hour ago. When he sees me, his fa?ade almost falters. But instead of asking, “Why is the chick who tossed a fire extinguisher at my skull here?” he simply says, “And you brought a pair of pretty birds with you too.”
“We need a few things,” Draven says cryptically. “Okay if we raid your fridge?”
Nitro shrugs. “Fine by me.”
Draven yanks open the door of the giant walk-in refrigerator. The inside is lined with wire shelves loaded with produce, packages of meat, and giant containers of juices, sauces, and salsas. Rebel and I hang back as the guys head for the giant jugs of cranberry juice.
Rebel hesitates as Draven pulls the scarlet juice from the shelf.
“Do it now,” I whisper.
She doesn’t move, but Draven does. He whips around, eyes narrowed. Guilt must be written on our faces because he drops the juice, sprinting for the door. It doesn’t take a genius to know that Dante will be close behind. I spring to action, swinging the door closed myself.
“Rebel!” Dante yells.
“I’m sorry!” she shouts back as the door clicks shut.
“Now, Nitro!” I throw all of my weight against the door, holding the handle so they can’t release the catch from the inside. It won’t hold back two furious villains for long, but hopefully it will give the flamethrower enough time to create a seal.
Nitro already has a bright green fireball burning between his palms. I dodge left as it comes flying toward me. The ball barely misses me and connects with the door handle. There is a sizzling sound of metal melting and then nothing but the soft thud of fists pounding against the door from inside the fridge.
“Hey,” I complain, examining my elbow. Nitro’s latest got closer than I thought. “You hit me.”
His mouth quirks into an angry smirk. “And here I thought my aim was downright heroic. Saved the day, didn’t I?”
I’m about ready to snap back, but Rebel’s soft voice stops me.
“You can get them out, right?” she asks him. “When we’re done?”
Nitro’s antagonism melts away. He squeezes Rebel’s shoulder. “Without a doubt.”
“They’re going to be so pissed,” she says, looking a little sick at the thought.
I nod. “And cold. The faster we get back here, the better.”
“I’ll stay with them,” Nitro tells Rebel. “Don’t you worry.”
She pulls him into one of her signature Rebel hugs and I laugh as his eyes bug out. Even villains aren’t immune to her suffocating displays of affection.
“Come on,” I say, taking her by the hand. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter 13
“This is a terrible plan.” Jeremy parks the van about a block from the lab.
Rebel swipes a brush loaded with blush all over her face. “Do you have any better ideas?” She closes her eyes and really rubs the color in around her lids.
“You know me,” Jeremy says, twisting in his seat. “I love a good heist as much as the next tech nerd, but this? What if you get caught?”
I hand Rebel the cayenne pepper shaker. “You didn’t see Deacon, Jer.” I shudder at the memory. “No one can withstand that kind of treatment for long. He’ll be dead before the end of the week.”
Rebel whimpers, and I’m not sure if it’s from the pepper she just dabbed into the corners of her eyes and her nostrils or from the harsh reality that Deacon might die despite our efforts. I won’t let myself even consider that possibility. Or that my mother could be— I cut off the thought. If I go there, I’m going to be a basket case, and we have a job to do. I know Deacon is barely holding on. I just have to assume that my mom is okay…for now.
Jeremy nods. He might be all paranoia and rampant geekery, but he can settle down when he needs to. He also knows I wouldn’t do something like this if there were any other option. It’s not like we can call in the police. SHPD would never question Mr. Malone or a League directive, and the ordinary police would never even get through the door.
“Let’s go.” Rebel smacks herself on the cheeks before bounding out of the van. “Before the pepper wears off.”
I let her get a few paces ahead before I jump out after her. Jeremy pockets his keys, zips up the front of his black hoodie, and falls into step beside me.
I run my fingers over the fake all-access security pass he made using his phone, a frequent shopper card, and something that looks like a credit card swiper. The bite of the sharp plastic edges pulls my mind into laser focus.
“When you see me give the signal,” I tell him, “you get your ass inside and into the security office. I don’t know how long we’ll be able to keep them distracted.”
“What’s the signal?”