he wore around his neck and spoke into it. “Alex, we have Mateo and can confirm no friendlies are in the room with Dracul. You’ve got a clear shot.”
And with that, they were on the march again.
* * * *
Merlin heard what had to be gunfire and felt both fear and elation. It’s almost over. Except he knew that with death so obviously knocking on their door, not all of the mercenaries would be smart enough to cut their losses and run. There would be some who might try to take a stand, and as Idris in particular could be a valuable hostage, he was vulnerable, locked in this room. Of course, the good thing was that anyone looking for the baby would expect him to be in Andri’s room. They might not think to come here. Still, he positioned himself in front of Dafydd and Idris.
As he thought it, though, the door swung open and he saw the muzzle of the semi-automatic rifle before he did the human carrying it. The asshole grinned broadly. “I had a hunch. I never thought you were as loyal as you said, always worrying about the poor sluts being hurt and cooing over the brat. Keep your hands where I can see them.”
Merlin did as he’d been told, trying to look non-threatening and indignant at the same time, while inching away from his charges so that if the bullets started spraying, they wouldn’t be in the line of fire.
“Shows what you know. I’m loyal to the Master. I heard trouble and figured whoever is out there would be coming after this cunt and the kid. I’m just playing the odds here. Either I’m a hero or I can hold them as shields.”
“Nice try, jerk-off, and a great idea. Mind if I steal it?” He raised the barrel, but before Merlin had time to really shit his pants over his impending death, there was a pop and the man fell forward with a mist of blood following him.
Merlin hit the ground in case the weapon discharged. When nothing happened, he rolled to his hands and knees in time to see Val, Christos and Mateo followed by some human he didn’t know and Ric. The doctor’s face took in the scene with horror, then he barreled past the others to throw himself beside Dafydd and Idris.
“Da!” Idris squealed.
Ric swept him up with one arm and peppered him with kisses while gently turning Dafydd onto his back. The guy’s eyes were closed.
“Careful,” Merlin advised. “I think he has broken ribs. Here, Idris. Come to me. Be a good boy.”
It was as if the toddler understood that his fathers needed him out of the way, because he didn’t fuss when Merlin scooped him into his arms. He crossed the room so that Ric could work in private. There was no telling what was going to happen. He could hear low moaning and maybe even crying, although from whom, he wasn’t sure. None of it was appropriate for Idris, so he jiggled him and focused on the strange human.
“I’m Merlin. Who the fuck are you?” He smiled as he asked, just to show no hard feelings, although that changed when he got an answer.
“Craig Jefferson, I’m a friend of Trey Duncan. A friend of your father, too.”
Merlin narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t help it. “Is that so? What kind of friend?” How could this human possibly know his father as anything other than a passing ghost among the family?
The man gave him the kind of smile that didn’t make one feel all nice and warm inside. “The kind, I’m hoping—if he’ll let me—who will be all up in your business from now on.”
Merlin took a step back. “You can’t be serious.”
The man nodded. “As a heart attack. And FYI, your father is a good man, a courageous one, and regardless of how friendly he and I remain, you will show him respect from now on.”
Merlin opened his mouth without knowing what he was going to say. Mateo interrupted before he could make a fool of himself by standing there like a landed fish.
“Hey, we’re going.”
Dafydd was wrapped in one of those space blankets for warmth. Val was carrying him while Ric walked beside them holding an IV bag that he’d stuck in Dafydd’s arm. A rush of relief flowed through him. Finally, the man’s care wasn’t his responsibility anymore. He knew a measure of pride, too, that he’d done all he could. He’d kept Dafydd and Mateo alive