Using women as pawns in a man’s game pissed Blane off. And where the fuck was Kade?
Anger masked the cold knot of worry in his gut. Kade was the best thing that had ever happened to Blane—the half-brother he hadn’t even known existed for nearly a decade. And even if this whole mess was partly Kade’s fault, it didn’t matter. Just so long as he was safe and unhurt. If Péng had somehow injured his brother…well Blane had learned some tricks in Afghanistan. Things he’d seen done by an enemy he considered little more than savages. It had made his stomach churn at the time, but he’d have no problem channeling his inner savage to avenge his brother.
Terrance led them to an elevator even as the rifle fire resumed. Blane could hear the bullets tearing into the wall behind them.
The doors slid shut after they piled in and in the sudden silence, Blane heard music. Removing his goggles, he glanced up and saw speakers in the ceiling. Barry Manilow was blithely singing about the Copa Cabana. He rolled his eyes.
Terrance punched a button and the elevator shifted.
“…music and passion were always in fashion…”
Blane slowly turned toward Terrance, who was singing along softly. Their eyes met and Blane raised his eyebrows.
“Really?”
Terrance shrugged. “It’s a classic, man.”
Bill snorted a laugh, which he quickly covered with a cough when Terrance glanced around.
“Thanks for your help up there,” Blane said. “I didn’t think we were going to make it.”
“We haven’t made it yet,” Tom said. He nodded at Terrance, who added, “They’ve got six shooters in the building.”
“How many were up there?” Blane asked.
“Two.”
Shit. That meant Kade might be dealing with four others. By himself.
“Anyone seen Kade?” he asked.
“Negative,” Tom replied. The others shook their heads, too.
“I need to find him,” Blane said. “Can two of you take her outside? Keep her safe?” No way was he leaving Kade.
“Sure. We can take her,” Bill said. “I’ll swap you.” He handed Blane the rifle. Blane tried to disengage Brandy, but she clung to him. She hadn’t said a word, and Blane figured she was in shock.
“Brandy, honey, I need you to let go,” he said softly. “This is Bill. He’s going to take care of you, get you to a hospital, okay?” When she still didn’t say anything or respond in any way, he put his hand under her chin and turned her face up to his. Tears were dripping down her face and the bruise on her cheek was an angry purple in the harsh light of the elevator.
Her lips moved but her words were too quiet for him to understand. Leaning down he put his ear by her mouth.
“I’m afraid,” she whispered.
More anger coiled in his belly, the injustice of her being victimized tore at him, but Blane was careful to keep it from his face. He folder her into his arms, brushing her hair back, and put his lips by her ear.
“I know, but you’re brave. You’re safe now. I promise. They’ll take care of you.” Pulling away slightly, he looked in her eyes again. “Trust me.”
She studied his eyes and Blane waited patiently as the elevator doors slid open. The men seemed to understand what was going on because they were quiet, waiting. At last, she nodded.
“Okay,” Blane said, handing her carefully over to Bill. “Bill and Tom are going to help you. Guys, this is Brandy. She’s pretty awesome.”
Tom smiled at her. “As if we didn’t know that already,” he scoffed. “C’mon, Brandy. Tom and I are gonna get you out of here, no worries.”
Blane watched as they put her between them and bore her away quickly toward the front of the place and the exit. He turned to Terrance.
“I thought you were the just-in-case guy,” he said.
Terrance shrugged. “Bored sitting outside. Thought I’d come in and check it out. Good thing I did, too, because those two skinny-ass white boys weren’t gonna haul your ass up that wall.”
Blane grinned, liking Terrance immediately. It figured Kade would be able to pick up on the fact that Terrance, for all his talk of money, would be someone they could count on. He reminded Blane a bit of Kade, also a big talker that he didn’t give a shit about anyone, but who’d be the first one to step in front of a bullet to save someone else. Not that Blane ever would say such a thing to Kade. If he did, Kade would kick his ass just to prove a point.
Now they were going to kill him…if Blane didn’t find him first.
Chapter Nine
Kade stepped into the dark stairwell, and the floor opened beneath his feet.
He didn’t have time to react other than to brace himself for the fall, but to his surprise, he landed on a thick matt. It still wasn’t pleasant, but better than slamming into a concrete floor.