This is it. I’m going to get Bill and Roméo out, even if it costs me everything.
My boots are covered in dust. My mouth is dry. My body follows every command my mind gives. I’m terrified, and yet, I feel no fear.
Cole jumps the barricades and pushes himself up against the doors of the lab, making himself a scarce target. I follow, and the rest of the group that’s managed not to get shot slams into place behind us. My lungs burst in and out as I check my ammo.
Two guards come out from inside the lab, but we pick them off with easy double taps. After them, Sinners in white lab coats come out with their hands raised.
“Don’t shoot!” they scream at us.
I recognize one of them. He puts his hands above his head, and his eyes almost pop out when he sees me. It’s Hank, the guy who helped Cole in the collapsed building.
“Sutton knows it’s you out here,” he shouts over the noise.
I want to ask him if Sutton’s okay, if he knows where he’s being held, but I don’t have the time. Instead, I nod at him, lowering my gun, and decide to pay it forward since he helped me.
“Go! Get out of here!” I shout at him.
“Hell no,” he says. He picks up the nearest weapon, pushes himself against the wall, and joins us with a wicked grin.
I acknowledge him and turn back toward Cole, who’s focused on the main entrance. The guards on the wall can’t see us, but the guys hiding behind the SUV have us pinned down. Their fire ricochets off the walls around us. Behind me, someone grunts.
A fierce burning hits me like a hammer. I glance down. My arm’s bleeding. Cole hears me gasp and examines me quickly, his jaw setting in place. He uses one hand, already covered in grime, to pluck a piece of shrapnel from my arm. I grit my teeth.
If we survive, it’ll be a miracle.
Anger flashes through his eyes, and a vein in the middle of his forehead bulges. He reaches into his vest, pulls a grenade, and with an umph lobs it over the SUV.
The glass shatters with the explosion, and the automobile bounces. Limbs and equipment mark the area around it. The guns on the wall turn their fury in our direction, but I can’t seem to get a good shot.
Cole darts forward.
This wasn’t part of the plan. I scream, but he doesn’t hear me. Once he reaches the corner, he’s in full view of a fifty-caliber gun on the wall. Yet, somehow, he makes it to the vehicle. He butts up against the SUV, checking around it.
The big gun cough out bullets.
What the hell’s he doing?
He turns back, diving for cover. Dust flicks up behind him where bullets trace his steps, and Cole hits the earth, taking me with him.
Next thing I know, his body covers mine like a shield. He’s coughing. I’m coughing. My chest burns, and my body aches in the places where he smashed me into the ground. His sweat drips onto me, and his arms feel solid around me.
When he realizes the gun can’t reach him, Cole rocks back, pulling me up with him. In his eyes, fear remains. In my heart, I know he’d die a thousand deaths if it meant saving me. And I trust him with my life, with everything.
Courage, like an explosion, rocks me. He believes in me, Sutton trusts me, and my father knew I could lead. The Sinners I just met believe in me. I reach into my vest while Cole watches. I pull out the orange and black flare gun. He nods. I point it up to the sky and squeeze the trigger, which makes a whooshing sound.
The red glare of the signal slashes across the sky. In my mind, everything’s paused around me, except for that flare. I stare upward as it fizzles out. Bill and Roméo have to see that.
In the background, the gate begins to open, and the guards up top scramble around. Some of them appear to be fighting one another. Their figures look black against the blue sky and piercing light of day. Then a flash of blond hair in a dark uniform catches my eye.
That must be Levi’s connection. God help her.
I train my gun on the entrance as it opens, each inch bringing us closer to our goal. The car carrying Bill and Roméo is in sight now. Dust kicks up behind it, and the sun reflects off the glass. Bill drives like a wild man, speeding and swerving to avoid getting hit. Please let the doors stay open long enough for him to blaze through.
A body falls over the walls. The figure hits the ground with a thump.
Gunfire persists, riddling everything in its wake. Bodies lie dead or dying in the street. Bill rolls over one of them, and it sounds like his car is bottoming out. I hold my breath, but it keeps going.
Through the windshield, Bill’s smiling. Inside, he looks as if he’s yelling bloody murder and a few choice expletives. He’s freaking crazy, but I love him. Roméo looks terrified, his hands gripping the side of the car as it flies.
Just a little bit farther, guys.
I step on shell casings everywhere I turn. My ammo’s almost gone. The pain in my arm is dull compared to the fear coursing through me.