with Wilder and listen to him,” he commanded and Ezra snorted.
“Trust me. I just want to make it out of this alive. I’m not trying to be a hero, that’s your department.”
“I’ve got them,” Wilder said and gestured at the alcove under the stairs. “They’ll hang out there with Toly until we can get them into the elevator shaft. It’ll be safer down there and they can help us cut through the door,” he explained and Denver nodded quickly.
“Perfect. They’ll be out of the crossfire and underground,” he said and high fived Wilder. Lavender captured Sage’s cheek and traced his lip tenderly.
“Do what Wilder says and everything will be fine,” he promised then ran off with Denver.
“Promise you’ll come back,” Sage called and Lavender’s “Always” trailed after him. There was a loud explosion from the west side of the property and Sage’s eyes were wide as he looked in the direction Denver and Lavender had just headed.
“They’ll be fine,” Lane promised but he was a little concerned as he herded Sage, Aiden and Ezra under the stairs. The gunfire sounded like it was getting closer.
“Everyone cover your ears,” Blink said as he went to the elevator shaft and aimed the 204 down it. The elevator had been raised so they could propel down to cut through the door.
“What are you doing?” Lane demanded but Blink ignored him and fired a grenade down the shaft and leaned away. There was a loud explosion and the ground shook as smoke plumed from the opening and into the foyer.
“I can’t get through to Farris so I’m letting him know we’re on our way. It’s all reinforced with steel and concrete. It’s bombproof,” he said and fanned in front of his face. A squad of footmen opened the front doors to let the smoke out and set up a firing position.
“That’s where I’ll be,” Paul announced and went to help them.
“I’ll be right there,” Lane said as Reginald and Toly rushed down the stairs. Reginald was wearing a headset and had a laptop under each arm and Toly was punching and rapidly swiping at the air.
“It’s not the CIA. It’s Shamir. He’s got a whole army of hired thugs. They’ve taken the front gate and tactical vehicles are spilling in from the west,” Toly yelled as he worked frantically.
“I know just what the CIA needs,” Reginald said loudly as he lowered onto a step. He opened one of the laptops and his hand flailed impatiently as it came awake. “Let’s see how they like fighting a battle on two fronts once China and the MSS finds out that the CIA’s found that list!” He said and laughed then ducked when something exploded in the courtyard.
“That’s brilliant, Marston!” Toly yelled as he covered his ears.
“Get under the stairs!” Paul commanded Reginald. Lane turned to make sure Aiden was out of the way but he was already tucked under the stairs and had his arms wrapped tightly around his vest. He looked furious but safe so Lane winked at him then gestured for Toly and Reginald to take cover.
“Call everyone back! We have to hold the house!” Alon shouted into his sleeve. Footmen filled the hall and passed out gas masks.
“What the...?” Aiden complained.
“Put them on!” Blink shouted as Grim limped into the hall with his cloak billowing around him. He was wearing a gas mask with a skull painted on the face and laughing as he tugged on thick black rubber gloves then caught an M16 Hawk tossed at him and pulled the strap over his shoulder.
“God help us,” Lane whispered as Hawk slid in next to him. Lane pulled on his mask then remembered that Grim was on their team and said a prayer for the poor idiots storming Blackhurst. He stopped praying when he realized how close the action was getting to the house as men in tuxedos filled the courtyard. An explosion and shattering sounded from the direction of the kitchen and the back terrace.
“We can’t hold them!” Wilder warned just as Denver came running in from the east hallway.
“We cut off that hallway but they’re coming around the back,” he shouted at Blink before he sprinted up the stairs to the picture window. Denver used the butt of a sniper rifle to break out a pane then crouched into a firing position.
“They’re coming! We need to get them downstairs!” Wilder yelled and ducked as he fired at the kitchen. “I need someone to cover us.” He ran to the alcove and