Expired Getaway (Last Chance County #7) - Lisa Phillips Page 0,109

hall.

Aiden sprinted faster, though the feeling in his chest wasn’t good. Cracked sternum, or ribs. Something. Enough pain he didn’t want to think about it at least. A fight, or even getting shoved against something, was going to hurt in a serious way.

He’d much rather be back there hugging Bridget. Talking quietly in sweet words to each other. What they’d been denied for so long. No, don’t think about the past. It was what it was. Sasha’s actions and their consequences weren’t something they could change.

He reached the corner and braced before turning, just to make sure Clarke wasn’t waiting to jump him.

No one.

Aiden heard a clang and ran to the source. No way. It seemed like... He opened a hatch and heard a muffled grunt at the bottom.

Clarke had thrown himself down a trash chute, or maybe it was a mail chute for packages. Someone had removed the labeling, but it was obvious it was no longer in use.

Clarke must’ve known about it. He could’ve even set it up beforehand, just in case he needed a quick escape.

Aiden heard the elevator ding at the same moment a door flung open and the metal exit bar slammed the wall. Stairs. Multiple entry points.

Booted feet rushed to Aiden. Before they could do or say anything, he pinched the hem of his shirt with two fingers and lifted both hands. It pulled up his sweater and jacket far enough his police shield would be visible. The other hand he held open, palm out, as he turned.

FBI.

HRT.

“Hands!”

“Don’t move!”

Vests and ball caps. Assault rifles. He was slightly disappointed not to see a K9 unit dog with them. He’d never seen one before outside of training and conferences, and the Last Chance PD didn’t have a department animal.

No one told him to get on his knees, so he figured they’d seen his police shield. Likely along with the giant bruise on his chest. He didn’t look down but was pretty sure it wasn’t attractive.

Eric and Millie emerged from the elevator, vests over their normal clothes. Both carrying Sig Sauers. Why they’d never put it together that they should work together both at home and in their occupations, Aiden didn’t know. They moved like a team as solid as any he’d ever seen or been a part of—having dealt with the conflict between them. Or, at least they’d put it aside for later.

“Cullings!” It didn’t matter which one of them responded to his call.

Aiden waited for one to glance over, and wound up getting both their attention. “Bridget’s inside the server room. She needs an ambulance.”

Millie rushed ahead of her husband into the server room. Eric headed his way instead. The agents around Aiden stood down. He held out his hand, and Eric shook it.

Aiden didn’t hesitate to fill him in. “Clarke headed down this mail chute, or whatever it used to be before they shut it down.” It certainly looked like it hadn’t been used in years. “I heard him at the bottom.”

Eric turned to the closest HRT guy. “Take a team. Check out wherever this goes.” Then he turned back to Aiden. “We have the perimeter surrounded. He won’t get out of our barricade.”

“If you guys catch him, this will finally be over.” Until then, there was still a present threat. Which meant they’d have to continue to keep Bridget separate from Sydney to keep her safe.

He drew out his phone and sent a few update texts to both Conroy and Basuto. The replies came fast. Sydney was still asleep, and the house was secure. The sergeant would be there until Aiden got back. He didn’t need to worry.

Aiden appreciated them saying so, but neither knew what it was like to be a parent. Worry was a default until the moment prayer and God’s peace entered the equation.

Until they had children of their own, they weren’t going to fully get it.

“Sydney good?”

He glanced at Eric, a father himself, and nodded.

“Okay.” Eric clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s go make sure our women are, too.”

Aiden nodded. Millie and Bridget were in a hushed conversation when they walked in. The dead man and his unconscious friend were still on the floor, though armed HRT agents stood over them.

The two women stepped out of the server room and met them in the hall. Bridget came to Aiden’s side. He lifted one arm, and she walked under it.

“I’m sorry.” He gave her a small squeeze. “Clarke had a prearranged plan. He got off this floor, but the FBI